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Home My WebLink About03-09-2016 TBID Minutes Minutes Tourism Business Improvement District Board Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tourism Business Improvement District Board was called to order on Wednesday, March 09, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Patel. ROLL CALL Present: Board Members Dean Hutton, Matthew Wilkins (arrived at 10:06), LeBren Young-Harris, Vice-Chair Clint Pearce, and Chair Nipool Patel Absent: Board Members Kimberly Walker Staff Present: Tourism Manager Molly Cano, Economic Development Manager Lee Johnson, Tourism Intern Emma Maltbaek, and Recording Secretary Kevin Christian PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was no public comment. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS C1. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016 MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER HUTTON, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER HARRIS, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Minutes of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board meeting on February 10, 2016. C2. SMITH TRAVEL REPORT By consensus, the Committee directed staff to receive and file the Smith Travel Report. C3. CHAMBER PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORT By consensus, the Committee directed staff to receive and file the Chamber Public Relations Report. City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Tourism Business Improvement District Board Minutes of March 9, 2016 Page 2 C4. BCA + STUDIOGOOD MARKETING REPORT By consensus, the Committee directed staff to receive and file the BCA + StudioGood Marketing Report. C5. CHAMBER VISITOR CENTER REPORT By consensus, the Committee directed staff to receive and file the Chamber Visitor Center Report. C6. TOT (TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX) REPORT By consensus, the Committee directed staff to receive and file the TOT Report. PRESENTATION ITEMS 1. MARKETING AGENCY MONTHLY UPDATE Representatives from BCA + StudioGood presented an activity report for their marketing efforts in the previous month. They highlighted that the SLO TBID won the “Poppy Award” at the Visit California Outlook Forum; reported that the Rainy Day marketing promotion has garnered over 900 room nights booked; announced that the upcoming April issue of the American Airlines magazine will include an 8-page feature on San Luis Obispo County; reviewed positive results from surveys and email subscriptions completed at recent tradeshows; reported the metrics on various print and online marketing activities; and announced that pages for Homestays, Race SLO, and San Luis Obispo Travel Videos have been added to SanLuisObispoVactions.com. 2. PUBLIC RELATIONS MONTHLY UPDATE Molly Kern from the SLO Chamber of Commerce announced that last year’s Visit California China Fam Promotional Coordinating Committee sponsorship has resulted in print and online articles in Chinese magazine tiles of GQ, Esquire, Trading Up, National Geographic Traveler, and Traveler Weekly, each having circulation rates greater than 450,000 in China. She also reported that the Chamber will be partnering with the Central Coast Tourism Council (CCTC) to sponsor Yahoo writer, Lisa McElroy, for a return trip to write a family focused piece on the area. For upcoming activities she reviewed eight journalists that will be covering events in San Luis Obispo in the next few weeks, with a focus on arts and the outdoors. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. TOURISM PROGRAM SUPPORT Tourism Manager Cano reviewed the duties, salary, and costs of the proposed Tourism Coordinator position, noting that it would be fully funded by the TBID budget, with the City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Tourism Business Improvement District Board Minutes of March 9, 2016 Page 3 City supplying overhead costs. Additionally, an action timeline was presented, culminating at the June 14, 2016 City Council meeting, should the board recommend going forward with the proposed position. MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER PEARCE, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER HUTTON, CARRIED 5-0, to recommend the establishment of a tourism program support position. 2. 2016-17 BUDGET DISCUSSION Tourism Manager Cano reviewed the budget timeline as presented in the February 10, 2016 meeting and presented 2016-17 TBID projected budget of $1.4 million. Cano outlined the committed staffing costs and City administration fee leaving the program budget at slightly over $1.3 million. Additionally Cano outlined the multi-year committed contract amounts throughout the budget including items like the RaceSLO arch and the Cal Poly Athletics sponsorship. The committee acknowledged the projected budget. 3. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Tourism Manager Cano reviewed the duties and bylaw guidelines for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC) Liaison positions. MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER PEARCE, SECOND BY CHAIR PATEL, CARRIED 5-0, to nominate Board Member Wilkins for the TBID Chair position. Per Board bylaws, TBID Manager Cano declared outgoing Chair Patel as the new Vice Chair. MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER HUTTON, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER HARRIS, CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Board Member Wilkins as PCC Liaison. TBID LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION 1. HOTELIER UPDATE None 2. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE Nothing further. 3. MARKETING COMMITTEE The Cow Parade selection was reviewed. It was noted that a humorous piece entitled “Marilyn Moo-roe” has been selected. An illustration was displayed. City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Tourism Business Improvement District Board Minutes of March 9, 2016 Page 4 4. PCC UPDATE Vice Chair Pearce reviewed that the PCC minutes from the February 10, 2016 meeting and noted that the GIA funding budget has been set at $100,000. 5. VISIT SLO COUNTY UPDATE Vice Chair Pearce reported that the committee provided funding for the World of Chardonnay and Festival Mozaic, released an RFP for a marketing contract, and that they are working on a strategic plan. Tourism Manager Cano suggested that the TBID keep this in mind for possible opportunities while conducting their own mid-year strategic plan update. 6. TOURISM PROGRAM UPDATE Economic Development Manager Johnson reviewed the list of current hotel development projects which are available for viewing on the City web site: http://www.slocity.org/doing-business/doing-business-in-slo/what-development-is- happening-in-the-city Tourism Manger Cano reviewed that the City Council will be recognizing the TBID winning the “Poppy Award” at their May 3, 2016 meeting; announced that Pragna Patel has been recommended for the open seat on the TBID board, noted that intern Emma Maltbaek’s term has ended; reminded the board of the upcoming CCTC retreat on March 14-16; and reminded the board that the City’s Advisory Body reception will be held March 22. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am to the next Regular meeting, to be held on Wednesday, April 13th, 2016. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Christian Recording Secretary