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Home My WebLink AboutLRC2 Minutes - DRAFT TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board was called to order on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 10:03 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Vice-Chair Nipool Patel. ROLL CALL Present: Board Members Clint Pearce, Pragna Patel-Mueller (10:05), LeBren Young-Harris (10:05), Amy Swink, and Vice-Chair Nipool Patel Absent: Chair Matthew Wilkins and Board Member Dean Hutton Staff: Tourism Manager Molly Cano, Deputy Director of Community Development Xzandrea Fowler, and Recording Secretary Kevin Christian. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None OATH OF OFFICE Board Member, Amy Swink, was sworn in by Recording Secretary, Kevin Christian. CONSENT AGENDA ACTION: MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER PEARCE, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER YOUNG-HARRIS, CARRIED (4-0), to approve Consent Calendar Items C1 through C6. C1. Minutes of regular meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 C2. Smith Travel Report C3. Chamber Public Relations Report C4. BCA + Matchfire Marketing Report C5. Chamber Visitor Center Report DRAFT Minutes – Tourism Business Improvement District Board Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 2 C6. Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Report PRESENTATIONS 1. MARKETING AGENCY MONTHLY REPORT Representatives from BCA + Matchfire presented an activity report for their TBID marketing activities over the past quarter and responded to Board Member questions. Highlights included the upcoming SLO Craft Beer Fest, the design of their Itinerary Inspiration Guide brochure, and staged site enhancements. It was noted that Gmail Interest Targeting is new and is slowly growing. The Board requested that click through rates be tracked by hotel as well as the overall site. Public Comments: None. ---End of Public Comments--- No action was taken on this item. 2. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUARTERLY REPORT Chamber of Commerce representative Molly Kern, Director of Communications and Business Education, presented the activity report for the public relations and phone/availability contracts from the previous quarter for the SLO TBID. Highlights included an increase in Asian visitors, and a high number of calls for hotel availability generated by the Thanksgiving holiday. Public Comments: None. ---End of Public Comments--- No action was taken on this item. DRAFT Minutes – Tourism Business Improvement District Board Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 3 BUSINESS ITEMS 1. HOMESTAY PROGRAM UPDATE Xzandrea Fowler, Deputy Director Community Development, and Steve Orozco, Planning Technician, provided an update on the homestay program activity for FY 2015-16. Included in the update was a report on registration compliance, non- compliance fees, and a discussion of the difficulties in gathering data on listing locations. Based on an analysis of various on-line booking services, it was noted that there is a 33% compliance rate for registrations. A review of the costs and benefits of using a “host-compliance” service was presented. An updated report on the homestay program will be presented to City Council in March. The Board expressed concerns about the unknown impacts of further regulation, but noted they would like the rules that apply to hotels be applied similarly to homestays. Interest was expressed in the use of a “host-compliance” service, remarking that compliance fees should be used to offset costs. The Board requested that they receive a quarterly report on the home-stay program rather than an annual update. Public Comments: None. ---End of Public Comments--- No action was taken on this item. 2. WINTER PROMOTION APPROVAL Due to the success of the 2016 winter promotion, representatives from BCA + Matchfire recommended doing a “Money for a Rainy Day” promotion again for Winter 2017. The number of hotel nights booked and promotional feedback from 2016 were reviewed. An overview of the promotion and revised creative were presented. The following Rules and Restrictions were presented: To Redeem: Email your lodging confirmation to info@sanluisobispovacations.com to received a promotion confirmation letter (emailed). Bring all 3 items noted below to the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (895 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401).  Promotion confirmation letter (printed or digital accepted)  Your lodging confirmation showing proof of booking and travel dates (both must be between Jan. 15, 2017 and March 31, 2017)  Hotel room key You’ll receive a $100 Visa Gift Card from Visitor Center staff to spend how you choose! DRAFT Minutes – Tourism Business Improvement District Board Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 4 Valid on new bookings only for travel dates between January 15, 2017 – March 31, 2017. Visitor must send proof of purchase to info@sanluisobispovacations.com to reserve this promotion, then show proof of purchase and room key to San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center staff to pick up $100 Visa Gift Card. Gift cards will not be mailed and must be picked up in person during the time of your stay at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 895 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Offer limited to first 470 reservations to claim. Some exclusions, including blackout dates of February 18-19, apply. For questions regarding this offer, email info@sanluisobispovacations.com. One (1) Visa Gift Card per 2-night stay. Three (3) Visa Gift Cards maximum. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Must use entire $100 gift card by December 31, 2017. The Board requested that if this program is continued again for 2018, that it be modified to start at the beginning of January 2018. Public Comments: None. ---End of Public Comments--- ACTION: MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER YOUNG-HARRIS, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER SWINK, CARRIED (5-0), to accept the Winter promotion program as presented. TBID LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATION 1. HOTELIER UPDATE Board Member Patel-Mueller noted that she has meetings scheduled with her hotels. 2. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE – No meeting 3. MARKETING COMMITTEE UPDATE – No meeting 4. PCC UPDATE – MINUTES: December 14, 2016 Tourism Manager Cano reported on the PCC meeting with their strategic plan vendor. 5. VISIT SLO COUNTY UPDATE Tourism Manager Cano highlighted the Savor-on-the-Road publication piece, and reported on discussions concerning the Conference Center feasibility study. DRAFT Minutes – Tourism Business Improvement District Board Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 5 6. TOURISM PROGRAM UPDATE Tourism Manager Cano,  Reviewed the programs and projects that the new Tourism Coordinator, Liesel Kuehl will be working on, noting that she begins work January 12, 2017.  Announced that Board Members Swink and Hutton are up for reappointment in April, and that Board Member Hutton will be terming out, leaving an open Board seat.  Passed out new #shareslo bags that will be used as promotional items at the upcoming tradeshows.  Announced that the Amgen Tour of CA will be coming through the City on Tuesday, May 16th, and that there are currently discussions on what route may be used through the City.  Reported that the recently released Visit California digital guide, highlights San Luis Obispo with a “perfect day” itinerary in for the Central Coast. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:31 a.m. The next Regular meeting of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD: XX/XX/2017