HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2014 TBID MinutesTourism Business Improvement District
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
10:00 am
City Hall- Council Hearing Room
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nipool Patel
PRESENT: Patel, Hutton, Wilkins, Conner, Adams, Pearce
STAFF PRESENT: Molly Cano, Tourism Manager; Lee Johnson, Economic Development Manager
Chair Patel called the meeting to order at 10:00 am
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Pearce/Hutton to approve the consent agenda.
Motion carried 5:0
Commissioner Wilkins arrives.
PRESENTATIONS
1. SAN LUIS OBISPO LITTLE THEATRE
Representatives from the SLO Little Theartre shared a multimedia presentation about the future plans
for a new Little Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo. Kevin Harris the Executive Director for the
Little Theatre thanked the committee for the opportunity to present. Bryce Engstrom, the Board Chair
and architect for the project shared the background on how the theatre learned of the opportunity and
the steps they have taken to prepare the project to date. He presented the schematic video of the
design for the new theatre. The proposed project will include new location, 2 separate theaters more
than doubling the size of the current space, office spaces, deck areas for intimate theater events. The
project is expected to cost around $6 million based on the current design and plans. Currently a silent
capital campaign has begun but over the next 2-3 years will begin the public campaign in line with
the theater’s 70 year anniversary.
2. MARKETING AGENCY UPDATE
Representatives from BCA & StudioGood presented an update to the Board on the marketing
activities over the past month. Highlights included: the rebranding process; ShareSLO campaign
updates to the website, brand, and program overall; website updates to SanLuisObispoVacations.com;
SAVOR strategy including booth design and features, giveaways, and ShareSLO/GoSLO activations
at the event. The agencies presented a brief snapshot of the PR efforts and achievements from the
Chamber. Next meeting they will present the media plan, new tourism logo design and campaigns
based on the recommendation from the marketing committee, and the ShareSLO reception.
Tourism Board Improvement District Minutes Page 2
3. VISIT SLO COUNTY YEAR-END REPORT
Stacie Jacob from Visit SLO County will presented the 2013-14 year-end report for their contract
with the SLO TBID. The report included highlights for the work effort over the year including: the
launch of the new Visit SLO County website, tradeshows, press coverage, film projects, and
partnership success with Visit California and Brand USA. Stacie also provided an update on the
countywide TMD initiative stating that the petition process was about to begin and August 20th VSLO
County board meeting would be the first official signing party.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. TBID ANNUAL REPORT 10 min
The Board discussed the annual report. They directed staff on development of the TBID’s written
annual report to the City Council on October 7, 2014. The Board directed staff to follow the same
format as used in the previous year but update with the content and achievements from the 2013-14
year. The Board will review the report for recommendation to City Council at the September meeting.
COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION
HOTELIER UPDATE
None
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
Subcommittee members reviewed the minutes with the Board.
MARKETING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Subcommittee members reviewed the minutes with the Board.
PCC UPDATE
Commissioner Pearce reviewed the minutes with the Board of the PCC’s July meeting.
TOURISM PROGRAM UPDATE
Tourism Program Update:
Molly Cano presented the Tourism Program update on the following topics:
- SLO Happenings RFP for PCC: will go to Council on 8/19 and if approved will open on 8/25
- Event Promotion Application process: closed on Friday 8/8; 7 applications received; binder are
being finalized and will be distributed to the subcommittee; first meeting to review is scheduled
for 8/25
- Hosted the winner of the Australia Promotion with Standbags: Dovetailing with one of Visit
California Australia’s marketing pillars for 13/14 – Luxury & Indulgence – and focusing on
growing the Australian/New Zealand consumer database, Visit California Australia has partnered
with one of Australia’s largest, premium speciality retailers, Strandbags, providing a California
trip as a prize for a national consumer promotion. The Strandbags promotion ran in November
2013 across 300 retail stores nationally during Strandbags’ annual sale month and reached 1.2
million Australians and New Zealanders via in store-signage, e-newsletter, social media and
online platforms. Part of the prize was 2 night accommodation in San Luis Obispo for two people
hosted by the TBID.
Tourism Board Improvement District Minutes Page 3
- FAM trip- UK SuperFAM: September 29 & 30- The SuperFAM is in partnership with British
Airways and the selection process is incentive program to the top selling agents based on the
number of BA flight bookings to the three main California gateways over a defined period of
time. The FAM trip provides agents in our top overseas market, a firsthand experience of our area
in order to better sell our destination to potential visitors. The theme for this trip is “Luxury and
Indulgence”.
- Upcoming Visit California media requests:
o two Italian journalists for 23rd of September to 8th of October in assignment from 7
media outlets to write articles about California
o Sarah-Kate Lynch is a New Zealand journalist visiting California and would like to write
a piece titled ‘5 reasons to love San Luis Obispo’; Dates traveling: 31 August – 2
September (2 nights)
The committee discussed the feedback on Cal Poly Feasibility Study. The discussed that TBID would
want to ensure “fair competition” of the prospective hotel i.e. contributes to TOT, TBID, land costs,
business taxes, etc. They see the project as a whole being a positive new asset to the community; however
it would not be the case should the project move forward with just a hotel property and no event or
conference facility. The also see the event and conference center generating new business and increased
lodging demand for the local hotel community as well. Finally, they believe the
development/enhancement of hospitality program (i.e. hotel management, culinary, food service, etc.) to
be a great benefit to the University and local lodging community
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 am