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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2014 TBID MinutesTourism Business Improvement District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 10, 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, Walker, 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 Shari Danoff spoke to the TBID Board about the protecting Highway 101 as a scenic route and the removal of the billboard signs. She spoke as a member of the community group “Protect Scenic 101” or PS101. She shared facts about the billboards and what has been done in other areas. It was requested that the Board contact the group if they are interested in supporting the effort or if they have any questions, comments, or suggestions. Photos of the billboards were distributed for the Board to review. Rosemary Wilvert spoke to the TBID Board about the removal of the billboard signs. She shared that PS101 is committed to the objective to retire billboards within SLO’s Highway 101 corridor. Among other comments, it was stated that other states have banned billboards altogether. It was requested that the Board contact the group if they are interested in supporting the effort or if they have any questions, comments, or suggestions. CONSENT AGENDA ACTION: Moved by Conner/Hutton to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 7:0 PRESENTATIONS 1. MARKETING AGENCY QUARTERLY UPDATE Representatives from BCA + StudioGood presented the quarterly update to the Board on the marketing activities since July. The agencies highlighted the extensive work with the Marketing Committee on the rebrand which will be presented later in the meeting. Studio Good spoke about the updates on the website and the redesign and updates on ShareSLO.com. The agencies reported on the metrics for the sites and mobile experience. BCA presented the booth plan and approach to SAVOR focusing on showcasing ShareSLO and the mobile experience. Molly Kern from the Chamber highlighted media coverage garnered over the recent months. BCA presented to upcoming media buys for 2014-15. Tourism Board Improvement District Minutes Page 2 2. COUNTYWIDE TMD UPDATE Chuck Davison from Visit San Luis Obispo County, presented an update to the Board of Visits SLO County’s activities over the month. He informed the Board that he had been personally meeting with the 38 properties in SLO and throughput the County . He informed the Board that he was not able to present the update on the amount of petitions because the County was having an issue resolving the weighted vote count. He mentioned that Pismo Beach City Council would hear the item at their October 7 meeting. Morro Bay BID Board gave a dissenting recommendation however individual properties in Morro Bay could sign the petitions and the item would still go to Morro Bay City Council for consideration. Staff noted that SLO City staff were reviewing the weighted vote issue and would be discussing options with the County. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. TBID ANNUAL REPORT The Board reviewed the FY 2013-14 TBID annual report for recommendation to City Council on October 7, 2014. Staff discussed the report and asked for any feedback. The Board was pleased with the results of the report. Pending the City Council’s approval of the report, the annual public hearing for the TBID will be scheduled for the October 21, 2014 City Council meeting. ACTION: Moved by Hutton/Conner to accept the 2013-14 TBID Annual Report for submission to City Council. Motion carried 7:0 2. EVENT SUBCOMMITTEE – FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS The committee received the 2014-15 funding recommendations for the event promotion agreements from the members of the Event Promotions subcommittee. ACTION: Moved by Conner/Hutton to conditionally accept the funding amounts recommended by the subcommittee until the consideration at the joint meeting with the PCC. Recommended funding amounts include: Mud Mash: $0; Cal Poly Open House $2500 with potential of additional $5000 for an event on Saturday night/Sunday; SLO Marathon $30,000; Concours $8,000; SLO Jazz Festival $13,000. Motion carried 6:0:1 Abstention: Pearce The Board also discussed the consideration of the support for SLO Wine on a new event once more information was available from SLO Wine. The TBID Board would also like to invite Cal Poly Orientation to present to the committee in an upcoming meeting for consideration. 3. MARKETING COMMITTEE - REBRAND UPDATE The marketing committee and marketing agencies presented the recommendation for the new logo and advertising concepts. The agencies went through several rounds of logo designs with the members of the TBID’s marketing committee through the process. It was important for this new logo to have an artisan feel and a unique, handcrafted look that reflects SLO. The agencies’ designers hand-drew the script for San Luis Obispo to show whimsy and playfulness but contrasted it with the structure of circle and typeface used for California which has the sense of sophistication. The colors were inspired by the true colors of SLO using palettes derived from iconic San Luis Obispo images. The clean simple design of the logo really makes San Luis Obispo the focal point. The dot of the “i” in Obispo represents the sun and hills and the circle loosely represents a wine glass stain as a nod to the areas robust wine culture. The design is extremely versatile as a logo. He ad campaign “It means Tourism Board Improvement District Minutes Page 3 something different here” is aimed at redefining what the drive markets of LA and the Bay Area think of negative words like “rush hour” or “crowded”. The Board discussed the logo and campaign and was very happy with the outcome. ACTION: Moved by Adams/Hutton to adopt the new logo design and ad campaign as present by the marketing agencies and begin the application. Motion carried 7:0 4. 2013-14 FUND BALANCE UPDATE Staff presented to the Board the end of the year result for the TBID collections of the fund balance of $70,000 from the 2013-14 fiscal year. The Board discussed having these funds added to the general unallocated line item within the Board’s program budget. This will increase the contract services portion of the TBID’s budget with the city, so the TBID can begin allocating these dollars as appropriate for upcoming projects. ACTION: Moved by Conner/Hutton to move the remaining $70,000 un-appropriated funds into the current TBID operating budget. Motion carried 7:0 COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION HOTELIER UPDATE Commissioner Adams met with all the properties on his liaison list. His visit was welcomed and well received by the properties. Commissioner Conner asked staff to redistribute the liaison assignment list. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE Subcommittee members and staff reviewed the minutes with the Board. PCC UPDATE Commissioner Pearce reviewed the minutes with the Board of the PCC’s August meeting. TOURISM PROGRAM UPDATE Tourism Program Update: Molly Cano presented the Tourism Program update on the following topics: - PCC’s SLO Happenings RFP is currently open and scheduled to close on Friday, 9/19 - Working on the itinerary details for the upcoming travel trade FAM trip- UK SuperFAM: September 29 & 30- Luxury pillar - Continuing to work with the Chamber on the 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 - Gearing up for SAVOR o Savor 20% off promo with all SLO City hotels Tourism Board Improvement District Minutes Page 4 o Main event participation - Reminder: ShareSLO Mixer – 9/11 from 4-6 at StudioGood Meeting adjourned at 11:15 am