HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2011 PCC Agenda Packet_._-_._-----•._--
Agenda
Promotional Coordinating Committee
City of San Luis Obispo
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting Council Hearing Room
990 Palm Street
The Goals of the City of San Luis Obispo Promotional Coordinating Committee are to (1) Improve the quality of life
available to all residents of and visitors to San Luis Obispo and (2) Promote, in a manner consistent with long-range
community goals, the development of San Luis Obispo as a regional and tourist center.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Marco Rizzo
PUBLIC COMMENT: Each speaker is limited to three minutes of public comment
I CONSENT ITEMS
e.1 Minutes of the Meeting of June 8, 2011
e.2 Minutes of the Special Meeting of June 15, 2011
e.3 TOT Report (to be distributed at meeting)
C4 Community Promotions Budget Report
CS ShopSLO/DineSLO Report
C6 Public Relations Report
C.7 Events Promotion Report
e.8 Visitors Center Report
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Promotional Coordinating Committee regarding
any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Administration office of the City
of San Luis Obispo at 990 Palm Street during normal business hours.
Promotional Coordination Committee
IPRESENTATIONS
At this time, representatives of the Community Promotions Contractors will provide highlights of contract activities
undertaken in the past month describe how activities are accomplishing Tourism Marketing Plan Objectives and seek
direction from the PCC when necessary regarding contract fulfillment.
1. HISTORY MUSEUM -PODCASTS II & III 10 min
The Executive Director of the History Museum will present the remaining two
completed historical postcasts.
2. REMNANTS OF THE PAST 15 min
The event organizers will present their event and ask for funding assistance.
3. CONTRACTORS REPORTS 20 min
Verdin Marketing and the Chamber of Commerce will give the past quarter report. The Chamber
will also introduce the Economic Development website that went live on June 30, 2011.
IBUSINESS ITEMS
1. CIA LIAISON ASSICNlVIENTS -Attachment 1 5 min
The committee will assign its CIA liaisons for 2010-11.
2. RETREAT FOLLOW-UP -Attachment 2 60 min
The commissioner will review the strategic plan draft provided by Commissioner M.
Fidler and define the next steps.
3. TROLLEY SERVICE -Attachment 3 15 min
The committee will review the ridership data and consider funding for the 2011-12
trolley service.
I PCC LIAISON REPORTS
1. CIA UPDATE -LIAISON REPORT 5 min
2. TBID BOARD REPORT -Attachment 4 -TBID Minutes & July Agenda
IPCC COMMUNICATIONS
At this time Committee members make announcements, report on activities, refer to staff issues for study and report back
to the Committee at a subsequent meeting.
ADJOURN.
Promotional Coordinating Committee
Minutes
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
5:30 pm
City Hall -Council Hearing Room DRAFT
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Marco Rizzo 5:30 pm
PRESENT: LeMieux, Billing, Palazzo, Fidler, Cox, Davis
STAFF PRESENT: Brigitte Elke, Principal Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by LeMieux/Palazzo to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5:0
PRESENTATIONS
1. TBID MARKETING 2011-12 -LEVEL STUDIOS
Ryan Allshouse, Doug Klein, and Rebecca Jensen from Level Studios presented an extensive report
to the committee recapping all the efforts and campaign results for the TBID over the past year.
2. CONTRACTORS REPORTS
Verdin Marketing
Ashlee Akers, Account Manager for Verdin Marketing, reported that the ShopSIO I DineSLO won an
award from the Public Relations Society of America for its social media campaign. She presented an
example of the new events promotion brochure and asked the committee for feedback by the end of
the week. She also presented three examples for the post-it note to appear on the Tribune on Friday
June 24, 2011 and asked for a selection. The committee favored example 2.
Chamber of Commerce
Lindsey Miller, Marketing Director for the Chamber of Commerce, reported that the outdoor 24/7 hotel
information kiosk was up and running and that people were using it. The wine map was also done
and should be mounted in the Visitors Center this week. San Joaquin Magazine published a great
article on San Luis Obispo.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. EVENTS PROMOTION
Subcommittee member J. LeMieux reported on the presentation that was heard on May 31, 2011.
Remnants of the Past -October 8, 2011
The committee liked the event and wanted to be supportive. However, the commissioners would like
answers regarding the exact expenditure and a commitment to see the show in San Luis Obispo over
several years. Staff is to follow-up with the organizers and schedule a presentation for July.
Dave Cox was willing to serve on the joint events subcommittee. However, he would like the meeting
to start at 3 pm to accommodate his schedule. Staff is to coordinate with the committee and confirm
the meeting time.
2. GRANTS-IN-AID
,Jill LeMieux had prepared an amendment to the grant criteria to further clarify additional funding for
anniversaries and to add a definition for the sustainable funding program. The commissioners will
send their final comments to staff by email for final review during the special meeting scheduled for
June 15 or 22, 2011.
3. RETREAT UPDATE
Staff reported that one of the three suggested facilitators responded. Jim Seybert would be available
on June 15 th from 4 to 8 pm. He has received the most recent SWOT analysis and the financial plan
information regarding the 2009-11 Community Promotions program in order to review the documents.
The committee felt that the rate quoted was too high. Staff is to clarify that no final report was
required and that the facilitator was hired to keep the discussion on track in order to achieve the
desired results. Two more names were given to staff for additional proposals.
4. TROLLEY SERVICE
John Webster, Transit Manager for the City, presented the ridership numbers and operation cost for
the trolley in 2010-11 and an estimate for 2011-12.
ACTION: Moved by Palazzo/LeMieux to fund $2,700 for trolley operation through July and to
bring back in-depth analytics regarding the changes made in 2010-11 and actual
results. Motion carried 5:0
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM
Promotional Coordinating Committee
Minutes -Special Meeting
Wednesday, June 15,2011
4:00 pm
Council Hearing Room
DRAFT
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Marco Rizzo
PRESENT: Fidler, LeMieux, Cox, Palazzo, Billing
STAFF PRESENT: Brigitte Elke, Principal Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. SWOT ANALYSIS & COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
The Committee Chair introduced Jim Seybert, the facilitator for the special meeting. Mr. Seybert
went over the agenda and how he envisioned the retreat to unfold.
Below is a summary of the questions asked and feedback provided by the committee.
1. What is the problem/challenge with the current plan or situation?
-Lack of defined direction -Fiscal constraints
-Changed environment -New Committee Members =strength, re
energizing
-Different purview
The commissioners were faced with a new situation as no guidelines were given and no pre
determined commitments needed to be considered. It was an opportunity to change the old
norm. They concurred that an in-depth review of the program should be done periodically. They
saw the special meeting as a way to stimulate discussion and ideas.
2. What needed to be considered?
-Less resources to work with -Substantial community need, little funding
-Perceived historical obligations -Time constraints due to monthly meeting
-Need for a cohesive work program -Big picture approach
-Return on investment -Reactive nature of program
-Work legacy with contractors -Target Audience
-Quality of life -Definition of objective for program
-Entitlement & dependency on funding from PCC.
Next, the commissioner defined the meaning of each SWOT component, so all commissioners
had the same terminology and meaning in mind. They went on to define the SWOT analysis
itself.
Strengths of San Luis Obispo:
-physical setting -proximity to SF & LA -center of coast -outdoor activities
-county seat -historical setting -walkable distances
- a safe place -budget friendly -wineries -food offering
-people want to live here -desire to relocate -accessibility -friendly community
-proximity to activities -unique natural and romantic setting
-publicity on happiest place -quality of live -no traffic
-multitude of cultural and recreational events for all ages and family friendly
-something for everybody -not in-your-face-tourism -not yet fully discovered
-not pretentious -small enough to actually do something
-accessible government.
-CalPoly & Cuesta with cultural and intellectual implications, offering a workforce and creating a
legacy link with SLO.
Weaknesses of San Luis Obispo:
-homeless population -expensive housing -dark streets at night
-no ethnic diversity -lots of the same types of bars
-not open for business (early closing) -no easy access to airport
-expensive air service -lack of taxi service -high gas prices
-no directional signage -divide through grade -cold ocean
-cold evenings -small job market -lower wages
-very shallow talent pool -issues with weekend college crowd
-no real golf offering -no downtown hotel -lack of demographic diversity
-no car alternatives -lack of convention center(s)
-individual city centric -lack of shared assets.
The committee then eliminated the line items they have no control over such as gas prices,
ocean and evening temps, demographic and ethnic diversity, cost of housing etc.
Threats to San Luis Obispo:
-Sundays parking fees -charging for parking
-changing weather pattern -economy
-Hwy 1 closure -loss of more air service -higher fees (utilities, etc)
-affordability to live here -cost of gas -violent crime frequency
-bad press -grOWing community and hence loss of quaintness
-increased promotion for Monterey & Santa Barbara
During dinner, the commissioners were assigned the task of defining the five top strengths of
San Luis Obispo:
J. LeMieux: legacy Cal Poly, weather, stuff for all ages, proximity to SF/LA, downtown/ old town
D. Cox: physical setting, center of coast, downtown, weather, outdoor activities
M Rizzo: downtown/old town quaintness, surrounding area, center of coast, CalPoly legacy,
weather
T. Billing: Downtown/old town, walkable, activities close by, physical setting, stuff for all ages
M. Fidler: center of coast, mix of outdoor & culture, multiple price point, weather, downtown/ old
town
S. Palazzo: outdoor, wineries, friendly community, physical setting/weather, quaint small
downtown but close to urban setting (best of both worlds).
The next exercise defined the items yielding the best ROI and hence where to concentrate or
focus future efforts:
-Downtown enhancements
-outdoor activities
-weather (good weather festival/month or week of best weather)
-promoting heavily during times where weather is terrible elsewhere and
comfortable in SLO
-spontaneous reaction to bad weather elsewhere in form of an opportunity
plan
-Cal Poly: alumni connection
-Establish relationships with bus companies ease of access. Limo service
example of wineries,
-SLO -attractive area and access point for recreational and cultural
activities. =play on central place
-Consider these stipulations for guidelines for grants
-Best of both worlds attractive for people living here and those Visiting
-Partnerships with Downtown to enhance experience
-Lighting to encourage visits to the neighborhoods.
The specific partnerships to encourage and nurture were defined as:
-Realtors for open house tours for people looking at housing
-Cal Poly Alumni & Advancement -offer to provide gifts to bring out
-Trained guides through Cal Poly -with one or two unit credits
-Cal Poly viticulture, dairy department,
-Non profit organization -extend event duration, -tap into national arms of organization
-Downtown merchants -need incentive, make it easy and work has to be done for them
If money were no object, the commissioners defined the following ideas:
-Create a wish list of individual companies to attract to the area, but creating a "Visit SLO on us"
package.
-Close 101 from Monterey to Downtown
-close Higuera Street to create a pedestrian zone
-provide free transportation to activities and events
-virtual dream itinerary
-air shuttle to LAX & SF
-faster train service
-horse-drawn trolley
-pay for extra visitors to come to the weather festival
-wrap a tour bus that travels the up and down the coast
-food truck up and down the coast with local produce
-give discounts to boutique shops downtown
-create a permanent Farmers' Market
-support the local shops ( check into Amex offerings)
-give a bicycle to everybody and have bike day
-build bike trails all around the City
-provide gas voucher to all visitors
-sponsor business planning for downtown bar
-provide free babysitters for a parents' night-out
-move bars to Foothill
-create a walks mimicking the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
The committee then defined the next steps in the process:
Define the desired benefits, who will be the main recipients of the benefits, and how can the
return of investment be measured.
The commissioner felt it important to emphasize that the plan and program set forth cannot fail.
The endeavour will be a precedent and play out in a public manner.
The following comments were made regarding the components of the plan:
Pursue a strategy plan rather than a marketing plan
The plan needs to incorporate concrete guidelines, funding, and execution
Money needs to be spent on the highest priorities such as downtown enhancements and
experience, benefiting the constituency (target aUdience), create partnerships, weather
related message and event, SLO centric messages and activities
Definition of ROI
Commissioner M. Fidler volunteered to create a draft of the strategic plan on which the RFP will
be based. Staff is to set up a meeting to provide all material necessary to do so.
The July meeting should be mainly dedicated to the review of the draft and the definition of next
steps. Staff is to structure the agenda accordingly.
Incorporate in mission statement the most important elements.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm
PCC Grants in Aid
3 Year Grant Amount Comparison ATTACHMENT 1
Approved
Organization Event(s) Event Dates Allocation Committee Comments PCCLiaison
1 AmpSurf-AssoCIation of Amputee Surfers Wine, Waves, &: Beyond 7-lun-12 $ 3,000 as requested
Arts Obispo/San Luis Obispo County Arts
2 Council Art After Dark &: Arts Space Obispo Ongoing $ 1,500 is considered a ·wean' event
Oct 14-16, Dec 16-18, 2011, Feb 10
3 Ballet Theatre various performances 12,2012 $ 4,850 print advertisments only
Nov 22, 20ll,Jan 25 &: 27, 2012, Feb 18, to be used in-county as not seen as
4 Cal Poly Corporation Cal Poly Arts Broadway Series 2012 $ 6,150 dra\\'mg out -of area
-
Cal Poly Corporation' Multicultural only if the event is held at Mitchell patk
5 Center CultureFesr 160ctll $ 3,000 Outreach has to be countywide
Cal Poly Corporation Performing Arts for actual outreach (newspaper ads and
6 Center Restaurant DIscount Program ongoing $ 2,100 table tents printing)
-
Cal Poly Corporation: University Art
7 Gallery 2011 12 exhibition season ongoing $ 4,950 advertising only
-
advertising in-county and neighboting
8 Central Coast Bioneers Annual Bioneers Conference Oct 13-16, 2011 $ 9,050 counties
for ads on visit california com to promote
9 Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition Car Free Program ongoing $ 2,600 the statewide program
-
! Madonnari Italian Street Painting is considered a 'wean" event / advertiSing
10 Children's Creative Prokct Festival Sept ILl II, 2011 $ 1,500 only
Clty to the Sea Half Marathon &: 5K
11 Cuesta College Run 9-0ctll $ 3,000 for ads on Map My Fitness
12 Cuesta Collcge Community Programs Central Coast Writers' Conference Sept 1O-11, 2011 $ 2,500 to be used towards media buy
13 Festival Mozaic \lv'inrerMezzo Series Oct 79, 2011 / Feb 10-12, 2012 $ 6,950 to be used towards media buy
Foundation for San Luis Obispo COUnty
14 Public libraries Central Coast Book &: Author Festival Sept 17-18, 2011 $ 2,500 to be used for print ads and radio spots
-
15 Foundation for the Performing Arts Center Bravo SLO 2011 160ct-ll $ 5,150 to be used for print ads and radio spots
16 Friends of Prado Day Center Culinary Carnival 3-Feb-12 $ 1,400 to be used as pIsented
GALA Gay &: Lesbian Alliance of the is considered a 'wean' event I advertising
17 Central Coast 15th Annual Central Coast Pride Week luI41O,2011 $ 3,000 only
-
Jewi.sh Community Center of San Luis
18 Obispo Jewi.sh Film Festival Ian 2122, 2012 $ 3,600 advertising only
-
is considered a 'wean' event / advertising
19 Mission College Prep Mission Prep Christmas Classic Dec 16-20,2011 $ 1,630 only
is considered a 'wean" event .I advertising
20 Monday Club, The Arc hitectural Tour 29 Apr-12 $ 630 only
21 San Luis Obispo County Band Historical Concert Series ongoing $ 2,350 to cover media buy and PJsters
San Luis ObiSpo County Child Abuse is considered a 'wean' event I advertising
22 Prevention Council 2012 Children s Day in the Pla::a 29-Apr-12 $ 500 only
media buy only / would be a 'wean'event
but is given a stipend due to 10th
23 San Luis Obispo Museum of Art Plein Air Festival Oct 39, 2011 $ 5,150 anniversary
is considered a "wean' {'\lent I advertisjng
24 San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival 28th Annual Poetry Festival Nov 11-13 &: Nov 18· 20,2011 $ 545 only
25 San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Central Coast Railroad Festival Oct 610, 2011 $ 6,950 media buy only
26 San Luis Obispo Rugby Foorball Club Tri-Tip Ts Rugby Tourney Sept 1O-11, 2011 $ 7,150 out of·area media buy only
p.1
PCC Grants in Aid
3 Year Grant Amount Comparison ATIACHMENT1
Event(s)
Approved
Organization Event Dates Allocation Committee Comments PCCUaison
media buy only, concentratjng on
27 San Luis Obispo Symphony Opening Night 8-0ct-11 $ 4,450 neighbouring counties
\\'omen's Community Center Dav with Creative Women 13 Aug-11 $
--1-------------
28 2,000 media buy only
; TOTALS
p.2
ATTACHMENT 2
Executive Summary
The Promotion Coordinating Committee is comprised of seven Commissioners appointed by the SLO
City Council and one Principal Administrative Analyst. Following is the PCC's mission statement: to
(1) improve the quality of life available to all residents of and visitors to (the city of) San Luis Obispo
and (2) promote, in a manner consistent with long-range community goals, the development of San
Luis Obispo as a regional and tourist center.
Preparation of next year's PCC marketing budget, which must be submitted to and approved by the
City Council, focused on the following situation and opportunities:
1. The last PCC marketing plan was written for FY 2008/9.
2. Many significant changes in and out of the community have occurred in the past couple of
years, all of which impact SLO's tourism situation and opportunities, suggesting that the
PCe's recent promotion activities should be re-evaluated in the context of the changed
market.
3. The City Council has agreed to the PCe's "starting with a clean slate" with its promotion
recommendations for next year, and that we need not necessarily be bound by previous
promotion contracts or programs.
4. Seize the opportunity to develop a Strategic Promotion Plan that is cohesive and
synergistic, so that all elements work in concert with each other to gain maximum
effectiveness and financial efficiency.
As a result of the above, the PCC is enthusiastically focused on developing an innovative promotion
program to be implemented in FY 2011/2012. This document serves as the basis for an RFP that we
plan to publish requesting submissions by SLO contractors.
Understanding that it will take an appropriate amount of time in order to publish the RFP, and to
receive and evaluate the responses, we have agreed with our two current vendors, the SLO Chamber of
Commerce and Verdin Marketing, to sustain our current public relations and Shop SLO/Dine SLO
programs on a transitional month-to-month basis. However, these monthly expenses will be applied to
our promotion plan budget for next year, so it is in everyone's best interest to be as expedient as
possible without sacrificing content or quality.
Two clarifications:
1. One of the PCe's responsibilities is to evaluate and award grant applications to non-profits in
SLO which generate tourism. The budget for those grants is not part of the budget being
addressed in this document. However, our eventual promotion plan may have some helpful
implications for future grant recipients.
2. To some extent the PCC's objectives overlap with those of the TBID, enhanced by the fact that
one of the PCC's Commissioners is the Chair of the TBID. However, our respective budgets
and primary goals remain independent of each other.
Market Summary
SLO is no less susceptible to the current macro economic issues than the rest of the country and the
rest of the world. Available jobs, competitive salaries, and housing are all issues. The good news is
that compared to many of our neighboring cities, S LO has experienced a lower number of foreclosures
and short sales. The bad news is that the price of housing for many who would like to buy in SLO
remains prohibiti ve.
ATIACHMENT2
More specific to tourism, available measurements for the past year indicate that: (We need data to fill
in this section)
A. Out-of-county Visitors
1. TOT has increased by 8.5% in FY 2010111 vs. 200911 O.
2. Seasonal skews continue to be summer & fall with heaviest tourism in the months of June, July,
August
3. Heads in beds (occupancy) has increased by 8.8%, FY 2010/11 vs. 200911 O.
4. The heaviest percentage of visitors from out-of-county draw from Los Angeles area.
5. Which events, activities and attractions appear to be the most popular for out-of county tourists.
B. In-county visitors
(Questions 1,2 and 5 above.)
C. SLO
Do we know the answer to Q. 5 above specifically for SLO residents?
Significant promotion activities supported by and/or affecting the PCC in FY 2010111 include:
1. On-going public relations support by the Chamber of Commerce.
Activities include responding to all incoming inquiries from members of various media, including
providing tours and information, arranging for on-site needs such as hotels, car rentals, restaurants,
etc.
2. Websites Shop SLO & Dine SLO.
Offered free to all SLO city businesses and organizations. Sites provide.
type of cuisine or merchandise, location, hours and other info that businesses wish to upload.
Participants receive window clings with either or both logos. These sites can link to participants'
sites. Design and sites were developed and continue to be maintained by Verdin Marketing.
3. Bi-annual event calendar brochure.
Lists all major activities and events in SLO distributed with all copies of The Tribune.
4. SAVOR
5. The TBID's increased marketing activity, provided primarily by Level.
6. A proliferation of web sites, logos and branding efforts, each prominently including "San Luis
Obispo" .
Other?
Competitive Analysis
SLO's primary competition can be segmented into 2 concentric circles surrounding our city. The
inner circle includes the other cities and communities within SLO County. The outer circle includes
the other areas of the state, especially neighboring Santa Barbara and Monterey Counties, the
Napa/Sonoma and San Diego areas and National Parks like Yosemite and King's Canyon. Areas in
the outer circle have long-established identities and continuous promotion activities. More recently
cities within our adjacent circle including Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Paso Robles and Grover Beach,
are at various stages in the development of their respective promotion efforts.
Some of these other areas offer advantages that we do not have (i.e. beaches, good airport service, etc.)
In its recent facilitator-led brain storming session, there was a consensus among the Commissioners
ATTACHMENT 2
regarding SLO's most compelling attributes which include weather, physical setting, downtown area,
center-of-coast location among others. Using the SWOT analysis which follows, one of the critical
strategic decisions to be made by those responding to our RFP is whether SLO offers a sufficiently
strong USP (unique selling proposition, something that none of our competition also offers) on which
to base our promotion efforts, or if we should pre-empt "ownership" of some particular attribute(s)
with the power and creativity of our promotion, even though some of our competitors may offer the
same attribute(s).
SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) Analysis
A SWOT analysis is key to the development of any promotion plan. What follows in this analysis is
based on the PCC's Commissioner's suggestions.
Strengths
1. Safe
2. Physical setting
3. Downtown/old town-walkable,
tourist magnet
4. Proximity to SF & LA
5. Romantic settings
6. Center of the coast
7. Happiest town publicity
8. Outdoor activity options
9. No traffic
10. Cal Poly/Cuesta cultural &
intellectual opportunities
11. Poly legacy link
Weaknesses
1. Limited job opportunities
2. Limited high end labor pool
3. Expensive housing
4. Dark streets/no lights
5. All bars dominated by
students
6. Lack of ethnic diversity
7. Merchants early closing
hours, no dinners after 9:00
p.m.
8. Limited airport service
9. Limited & expensive taxi
service
10. Slow, limited train service
11. Cold evening temperatures
12. Cold ocean temperatures
Strengths
12. Service jobs
13. SLO tourism brings in revenue
14. Lack of pretension
15. Accessibility to SLO government
16. Symphony, opera, Mosaica
17. Free outside concerts
18. Activities for all ages
19. Theater
20. Hikinglbiking trails
21. Multi-genre movie theaters
22. Good library
23. Poly innovation program
13. Students vs. tourists &
students vs. other
residents/homeowners
14. Gasoline prices
15. Lack of directional signage
16. The grade
17. Fiscal constraints
18. Local crime & its media
exploitation
19. Competing SLO logos &
branding confusion
ATTACHMENT 2
Threats
• Charging for parking Opportunities
• Growing perception that SLO is • Clean slate from Council
not equally appealing to all • PCC-related personnel changes-
current & potential residents & • 3 new Commissioners
tourists • 3 new Council people, including
• Increased marketing competition mayor
from • New chamber Director
• neighboring cities • To re-energize community,
• Highway 1 mudslides change the norm
• Worsening airport service • Always changing e
• Higher fees/utilities/taxes communication options
• Continued urbanization, more
chains
• Weather changes
• Gasoline prices
• Housing Market
• Economy
Other Information from the PCC Brainstorming Meeting
Ideas If Money Were No Object-could inspire more affordable ideas
1. Create a wish list of companies to recruit to SLO and send them a freebie visit
package
2. Install all necessary street lights
3. Close 101 from Monterey to Marsh
4. Close Higuera St.
5. Beautify SLO a la Carmel
6. Provide free transportation within SLO to all significant SLO events
7. Create a virtual build-your-own vacation in SLO site on line.
8. Air shuttle service from SLO to LAX
9. Horse-drawn trolley
10. Downtown hotel
11. More financial support for local organizations
12. Create an annual great weather festival
13. Incentivize every family to invite someone from out of town for a visit
14. Free overnight and dinner at EISCR
15. Wrap a SLO tour bus with tourist-friendly ads/pix
16. Create a SLO Food/Wine truck to take to other cities for events, fairs, to
promote specific SLO events, etc.
17. Discounts at downtown or all SLO-specific merchants
18. Make the farmer's market permanent and daily
19. Incentivize more bike riding, build more trails
20. Gas vouchers to incentivize LA visitors
21. Sponsor category-specific business planning/education for SLO merchants
ATTACHMENT 2
22. Offer babysitting service for parents' nights out
23. Move bars to Foothill
24. Create a creekwalk like the San Antonio riverwalk
25. Incentivize farmers to offer visitor/tourist open houses or tours
26. Send PCC to tourism seminars and conferences
Budget-friendlier Ideas to Build Our Promotion Around
1. Weather
2. Loco vore food
3. Wineries
4. Quaility of life
5. Central accessibility to CA
6. Friendly community
7. Close-by beaches
8. Variety of outdoor activities
9. Variety of cultural activities
10. Partner with Downtown Assn. to create events/experiences
11. More downtown events
12. Generate more walking at night
13. Create an opportunity alert system (like the emergency alert system) to
announce special "spontaneous" events, to celebrate a great weather day, etc.
14. Partner with Cal Poly Alumni Assn.,(especially mailing list) create gift bags
for VIP alumni visitors
15. Create a tourism training min-course at Poly and Cuesta. Students receive
some course credit and serve as free tour guides and greeters for visitors from
in and out of the area
16. Hype the CENTER of the Coast (i.e. center to all ofCA) idea
Potential Partnerships
SLO realtors -collaborative open house bus tours
Cal Poly alumni
Cal Poly Provost internship
Cal Poly Advancement-provide gifts
Cal Poly and/or SLO viticulture events, agriculture, dairy events
Non-profits -some have county/state/national connections
Downtown Assoc.
Local veterinarians
Local chefs/restaurants
Local wine associations
Promotion Objectives
Following are the objectives and guidelines which will apply to the development ofthe
PCC's promotion plan and included in the RFP:
ATTACHMENT 2
1. Consistent with our mission statement.
2. Cohesive, synergistic relationship between all elements of the plan.
3. Specifically relevant to SLO residents, businesses and potential out-of-area
visitors.
4. "Elevator" message(s) and supporting strategy.
5. Positioning
6. Recommended optimum target audience(s), collectively and specifically (i.e.
students, seniors, children, college educated, empty nesters, etc.)
7. Recommended media mix.
8. Measurement techniques and goals.
9. Timeline, recognizing the PCC meets once /month.
10. Budget
11. Consideration of incentives and/or other motivating ideas to secure buy
in/participation from SLO businesses and residents as well as from visitors.
12. Consider appropriate collaborationslincentives with merchants, realtors, Cal
Poly/Cuesta, etc.
Specific to the RFP:
• Credentials, ideally including previous work in the tourism and/or city promotion
categories.
• Staff bios, identification of staff specifically assigned to our account.
• Other client references.
ATTACHMENT 2
The Promotion Coordinating Committee of the City of San Luis Obispo is seeking proposals from
appropriate resource or resources to create a promotion/communication plan, the objective of which is
to increase resident's and visitor's support ofSLO city events, businesses, activities and cultural
opportunities.
Following are the requirements expected of all candidates:
• Candidates must have proven experience creating and implementing multi-media
promotion/communication plans. Ideally, experience will include tourism and/or service
related promotions.
• Candidate's business must be located in the City of San Luis Obispo.
• Candidates must provide bios of the company's owners and of each person who would be
involved in this assignment.
• Candidates must provide at least three references from local (i.e. Central Coast) clients.
• Candidates must include samples of relevant work. Referral to websites is optional, but all
elements of your response must be hard copies that can be photocopied.
Process:
• The PCC committee of seven people has prepared a background document which provides
relevant information that should be helpful and will be available to all candidates.
• The PCC is responsible for the selection of the winning proposal.
• Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to _
• The final due date for all submissions is 5:00 p.m., _
Budget:
The budget for the plan that will be executed based on the winning proposal is approximately
$100,000. This amount covers all attendant expenses including production, media, research and
creative development for the time period that begins when the assignment is awarded and ends at the
close of the City's fiscal year, June 30, 2012.
Following are the objectives and guidelines which must be adhered to and/or included in the
Promotion Communication Plan and its execution:
• Consistent with the PCC's mission statement.
• Cohesive, synergistic relationship between all elements of the plan.
--------------....._... _--_.__
ATTACHMENT 2
._-----------
• Preference will be given to a plan that limits its initial focus in year one to a single strategy
which can be executed effectively. Recommendations for expanding and continuing the plan
into subsequent years are optional.
• Specifically relevant to SLO city residents, businesses and potential out-of area visitors.
• Elevator message and supporting strategy.
• Positioning statement.
• Recommended optimum target audience(s), collectively and specifically (i.e. not just adults,
but also ages, income, interests, family status, life style, etc.), for each target audience.
• Recommended media mix including budget estimate
• Measurability including recommended measurement techniques
• Production timeline, recognizing the PCC meets once/month.
• Budget breakdown.
• Consideration of incentives and/or other motivating ideas to secure buy-in and participation
from SLO businesses and residents as well as from visitors.
• "User's manual" for merchants to encourage their independent adoption of City plan's core
elements and how to use the elements consistently with City's execution.
• Availability to talk with/work with city's merchants at their expense.
• Consider appropriate collaborations/incentives with and between merchants, realtors, Cal
Poly/Cuesta, etc.
ATIACHMENT 3
T,.olley Service Downtown
Monthly Companson
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
Apnl
May
June
Evaluation
Proposed Schedule
Friday
Cost to Operate 2011 Cost per rider II I~ I~ost to I: I~ost Per rid., It
RIdership 2010 RldefS~ Operate 2010 • 2010 2011 Income 2010
956 707 5 99528 $ 1.04 5 23900
627 813 5 99528 $ 1,59 5 156 75
255 346 5 99528 5 91370 5 390 5 264 5 6375
347 373 $ 99528 5 913 70 5 2,87 5 245 $ 8675
240 a 5 99528 5 415 5 60 00
179 o 5 99528 5 556 5 4475
208 o 5 99528 5 478 5 5200
158 o 5 99528 5 630 5 3950
226 o 5 99528 $ 440 5 5650
528 489 $ 99528 $ 91370 $ 1,88 $ 1.87 $ 13200
246 344 5 99528 5 91370 5 405 5 266 5 6150
320 5 99528 5 311 5 8000
2959 3072 $ 11,94336 5 3,654 80 $ 1,07250
Hours of Operation Thursday % Fridav % Saturda\l %
11 to 11 59 am 10 0 3
78
266
300
290
322
0
2
8
9
8
9
12to 12 59 pm 47 2
01 to 01 59 pm 62 2
02 to 0259 om 4 0 108 4
03 to 0359 m 259 3 158 5
04 to 0459 pm 429 4 232 8
05 to 05:59 pm
06 to 06:59 om
,1,61Q
2,496
,1&
24
U331
552
',<",/,Al'
18
<iii:
550
609
429
~i
31
3,490
"U"Uir'7
17:"
'11'117
16
17
12
J7i
t
100
07 to 07:59 m 2,367 23 682 22
08 to 08:59 pm 2,303 22 592 19
09 to 0959 m -,: II ,nR' '/i',,"
10 to 1059 pm 49 0 21 1
10,349 100 3,079 100
05 to 09:59 pm 93% 79% 63%
"'Apnl through October
Income 2011
Saturday-,
,I, I~ostper I,170stto Jostto Jostper
RldershJ 2010 Ridershm 2011 Operate 2010 Ooerate 201 1 nder 2010 rider 2011 Income
687 631 51,009 30 $1,47 5 17175
679 524 51,009 30 $1,49 5 16975
416 559 51,00930 51,174 07 5243 5210 5 104 00
407 524 51,009,30 51,17407 5248 5224 $ 101,75
411 a 51,00930 5246 5 10275
353 0 51,00930 5286 5 8825
397 0 $1,00930 5254 5 9925
372 0 51,00930 5271 5 9300
470 0 $1,009 30 $215 $ 11750
594 639 $1,009,30 $1,17407 $1.70 $1,84 5 14850
511 613 51,00930 51,17407 $1.98 $1.92 5 12775
521 51,00930 $1,94 5 13025
3294 3490 $12,11160 54,69628 5 1,454 50
% of overall trafflce Th -Sa
Total TraffIc 16,918
over sao nders per hour
under $2 00 per rider
Thursday
Fnday
Saturday
61%
18°,4
21%
.. Operating Cost SepUOct and Apnl/May divided by hoUf'5 of operation
between Fnday & Saturday
Milea e Cost Gas Cost Total Cost Month Annual
Thursdav 4 to 9 pm 0 0 5 5
Fridav'" 4 to 9 pm 5 hours 5 13571 $ 6000 $ 19571 5 84156 5 5,89095
Saturday" 410 9 pm 5 hours $ 13571 5 60 00 5 195.71 5 84156 5 5,89095
Sunday no service $ 11,781.89
Mlleaqe Cost IGas Cost -----rrotal Cost lMonth Annual
Thursda
F -June, July, August
S8tu ... Apnl through October
Sunday
Mlleaqe Cost Gas Cost Total Cost Month Annual
Thursday 4 to 9 pm 0 0 5 5
Friday" 6109 om 3 houf'5 5 8143 5 3600 5 117 43 5 504.94 $ 3,534 57
Saturday .... 6t09pm 3 hours 5 8143 5 36 00 5 117 43 $ 50494 5 3,534 57
Sunday no servIce $ 7.069.14
Assumptions for Calculation Milage Cost Gas Cost
3.5 miles per loop 5 905 5 4.00
cost per hour I 3 loops $ 27.14 $ 12.00
ATTACHMENT 4
Agenda
TBID Advisory Board
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
2 P.M. -Council Chamber
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Tim Billing
PUBLIC COMMENT: Each speaker is limited to two minutes of public comment for items
not on the agenda. Public comment for each agenda item will be called for separately and is
also limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
State law does not allow the board to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda,
except that members of the board may briefly respond to statements made or questions
posed by the person giving public comment. Staff may be directed by the board to follow-up
on such items and/or place them on the next board agenda.
ICONSENT ITEMS
C.l Minutes of the Meeting of June 8, 2011
C.2 TOT Report -Month of May (distributed when available)
C.3 Smith Travel Report (under separate cover)
C.4 Level Studios Report -(under separate cover)
C.S On the Horizon Report (under separate cover)
C.6 San Luis Obispo Visitors & Conference Bureau (under separate cover)
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the TBID Board regarding any item on this agenda will be
made available for public inspection in the Administration office of the City of San Luis Obispo at 990 Palm
Street during normal business hours.
ATTACHMENT
TBIDBoard
Public comment will be taken for each individual agenda item. Each speaker will be limited
to 2 minutes of public testimony.
1PRESENT AnONS
1. SLO MARATHON -UPDATE 15 min
The event organizers will present the new website and give an update on the event.
2. REMNANTS OF THE PAST 15 min
The event organizers will present their event and ask for funding assistance.
1 BUSINESS ITEMS
1. QUARTERLY REPORT BY CONTRACTOR 20 min
The San Luis Obispo Visitors and Conference Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce will
present the quarterly report for the contracted obligations.
2. EVENTS PROMOTION -Report as attachment 1 10 min
The task force chair will report on funding requests and possible event opportunities.
The board will consider funding of recommended events at this point.
3. TRADESHOWS 2011-12 -Report as attachment 2 20 min
The committee will receive a report from its task force members regarding the trade shows
under review and consider participation.
TBID LIAISON REPORTS & BOARD COMMUNICATION
At thIS time board members make announcements, report on activIties, refer to staff issues for study and report back to the board
at a subsequent meeting.
1. HOTELIER UPDATE -LIAISON REPORT 5min
2. PCC UPDATE -see attachment 3 -PCC Minutes & July Agenda
ATIACHMENT 4
Tourism Business Improvement District Board
Minutes
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
2:00 pm
Council Chamber -City Hall
Draft
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Tim Billing
PRESENT: Koper, Pearce, Patel, Conner
STAFF PRESENT: Brigitte Elke, Principal Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment to items not on the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Conner/Koper to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5:0
PRESENTATIONS
1. CAL POLY -MARKETING PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Two groups presented their senior marketing projects concentrating on specific target
audiences. One group targeted spa goers and spa related vacations. The second group
concentrated on romantic getaways. Both presentations contained related research, creative
and targeted campaign options. Level Studios is evaluating which elements to utilize in the
upcoming 2011-12 marketing plan.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. QUARTERLY CONTRACTOR REPORTS
On the Horizon -Public Relations
Jamie Reith, Account Manager for On the Horizon, presented the last 3-month efforts and
highlighted the very successful "Happiest Place" packages that they made available to the
hotels. She went over achieved placements and program highlights
2. EVENTS PROMOTION
ATTACHMENT 4
Vice-Chair Conner introduced the event heard at the May events promotion joint-committee
meeting. The vintage show "Remnants of the Past" is moving its event from Nipomo to San Luis
Obispo in order to gain access to a larger space. The organizers requested $25,000 in support
of the semi-annual event (October &April) attracting 3,000+ people.
Public Comment: Mrs. Patel-Mueller commented that the provided information was insufficient
to allow for such a substantial investment and that the board should consider distributing a
questionnaire to all applicants that needs to be provided with any additional information to the
events committee and the board for initial review.
The board directed staff to ask the organizers to present the event at the next board meeting,
addressing the concerns raised. An overall budget, as well as a detailed listing of how the
investment would be used, will have to be provided.
Staff mentioned that a questionnaire is being developed by the events subcommittee for final
review in the June 2011 meeting. It should be available for the next regular board meeting.
3. BOARD RETREAT
The board continued the discussion regarding a possible retreat. The goal is to get feedback
and participation from as many hoteliers as possible. The board members were asked to
provide questions to staff in order to release an online survey. The board hopes to receive
information as to the best format (time, date, and place), as well as topics of interest and
investment opportunities.
4. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In the May regular board meeting, the board had approved its 2011-12 budget. The next step in
the process will be City Council approval scheduled for July 5, 2011. After Council approval, the
contractual obligations will have to be reviewed. The board looked at appointing its bUdget task
force to do the final review in order to expedite the process.
Public Comment: Mrs. Patel-Mueller opposed the notion to allow the task force to do the
review as it will keep the documents out of public review. She was wondering whether hoteliers
would be allowed to participate in the task force meetings.
ACTION: Moved by Pearcel Koper to allow the final review of the contractual obligation
and language by the budget task force staffed by T. Billing, S. Norris, and J.
Conner. Motion carried 5:0
5. POW WOW 2011 and TRADE SHOWS 2011-12
The board chair went over the leads captured during the 2011 International Pow Wow in San
Francisco. The spreadsheet with all the information is ready for distribution. The document is
divided into travel planners and group information and media contacts. The question posed to
the board was how to proceed with distributing the data to the partner hotels.
The board discussed whether the media contacts should be released to the hotels or sent to the
PR agency only in order to keep the PR message neutral and promote the area and all 37
hotels.
ATIACHMENT 4
Public Comment: Mrs. Patel-Mueller commented that all the information including media
contacts should be sent to the hotels as the hotels paid for the show cost and should receive the
full benefits.
ACTION: Moved by Conner/Pearce to send the travel planners and group leads to the
hotels and the media leads to the PR agency for follow-up.
Motion carried 5:0
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 pm