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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-20 Regular Meeting (10CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Thursday, June 20, 2002 -- 11:30 am WALLIS BUILDING ONE LIBERTY PARK PLAZA, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES III. HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS REPORT IV. SALES AND MARKETING REPORT ,r V. OLD BUSINESS A. BUDGET & MARKETING COMMITTEE UPDATE B. TRAIN UPDATE C. GCISD HOSPITALITY PROGRAM UPDATE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. JULY BOARD MEETING VII. REPORTS A. HERITAGE FOUNDATION B. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIII. ADJOURNMENT STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF TARRANT CITY OF GRAPEVINE MINUTES The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors met on Thursday, June 20, 2002 at the Wallis Building, Grapevine, Texas with the following persons in attendance: Don Bigbie Chairman Ev Barnes Board Member Bill Brink Board Member Philip Cloud Board Member Paul Jennings Board Member Kathee Livengood Board Member Tom Smith Board Member Robert Thrailkill Board Member Paul W. McCallum Executive Director George Kakos Assistant Executive Director Absent: Phil Parker Board Member Darlene Freed Council Liaison (iw Sue Franks Grapevine Chamber Pat Stinson Heritage Foundation CALL TO ORDER Don Bigbie called the meeting to order and welcomed Christian Ditz from our Sister City, Krems, to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes from the May 23, 2002 meeting was made by Bill Brink and seconded by Kathee Livengood. Motion carried. HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS REPORT Mr. McCallum reported a major increase in activity at the Gaylord Opryland site. The project is moving along with additional cranes and construction trailers. While the footprint remains the same, there has been an exterior redesign and they have a new model. There is now a railroad depot in the interior and they will have a narrow gauge working railroad. They expect to announce the new director of sales in the near future. Activity has been good for business beyond 2006. Mr. McCallum shared articles in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and Dallas Morning News regarding convention business and tre competition. The Board of Directors Meeting June 20, 2002 Page 2 of 3 SALES AND MARKETING REPORT Mr. Kakos shared highlights from the month of May. The convention sales team produced 10 leads representing 3,672 potential roomnights and conducted 8 site inspections. The Main Street Days FAM included 10 contacts. One group went definite representing 486 roomnights. Convention Services worked with two groups with a total of 760 attendees. Tourism division generated 2 leads representing 160 attendees and had 2 definites with 60 roomnights and conducted 4 site inspections. 20,472 visitors were assisted through the visitor information centers and 37,690 brochures were distributed. The Grapevine Steam Excursion Train had 6,573 riders including 1,018 on the Main Street Days sampler runs. Sales staff participated in the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives' Springtime in the Park in Washington D.C. with 2 leads publishes and another 9 potential leads. OLD BUSINESS Budget & Marketing Committee Update Mr. Cloud reported that the committee has had two meetings since the last board meeting. The first meeting was to "put everyone on the same page" and to gather and request input from the hotels. The second meeting was a discussion of trade shows, publications, etc. to determine the direction of the marketing plan. We will look at some co-op advertising and some co-op sponsorship of luncheons etc. for some of the regional meeting planner organizations. The committee would also like to see some present clients included in the New York invitation list. It was also determined that we would advertise in one of the larger trade publications displaying strength in our unity and promoting the destination. The resulting marking plan will be shared at the next director of sales meeting. Train Update Mr. McCallum reported that the city council in Victoria tabled the issue regarding the fate of locomotive 771 after hearing a proposal from a local group. In Roseville there is still no change regarding locomotive 2252. The public works director there continues to champion our cause. We declined the locomotive opportunity with Trinity Valley Railroad as that engine is heavily deteriorated. The locomotive 1744 in New Orleans offer is still on the table. The Grapevine Steam Railroad is operating 5-day service this summer. This has helped with our costs and ridership has not declined. We are working with a vendor from Portland, Oregon who reconditions vintage coaches and will air-condition 3 of the coaches. GCISD Hospitality Program Update time Roger Nelson and Mr. McCallum met with the superintendent and curriculum director for GCISD regarding the hospitality program. The elimination of the program has been put on hold and it may be back on for the fall. They would look to the industry for participation in the program with work-study opportunities. They would like to connect to a college for assistance and to bring in an instructor on a part-time basis. They would The Board of Directors Meeting June 20, 2002 Page 3 of 3 OLD BUSINESS cont. GCISD Hospitality Program Update cont. like to raise the level of the program and also offer the opportunity to receive college credit for some work. NEW BUSINESS July Board Meeting Staff recommended canceling the July board meeting due to the conflict with summer activities. The requirement for ten meetings is being met and the ability always exists to schedule an additional meeting if necessary. Phil Cloud made a motion to cancel the July meeting; Ev Barnes seconded. Motion carried. REPORTS Heritage Foundation Bill Brink reported that the Foundation is planning an "Elvis" night fundraiser for the Cr' Palace. The Education program with elementary students is going well under the leadership of Sarah Cloud. The Foundation expressed thanks to the CVB Board for all their efforts in regards to the festivals and funds raised for the Palace Debt Retirement Fund. There is a township revitalization grant to study inner city historic homes. There is a nationwide push to save these buildings. Chamber of Commerce Kathee Livengood reported that the Chamber is doing well with lots of new businesses. They are establishing a program for past chairs and D. E. Box recipients to work on getting new Chamber members. The Chamber is looking for a fundraising opportunity to help retire the debt on their building. Members were urged to pass any ideas on to Sue Franks or Paul McCallum. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bigbie thanked all for coming and offered the challenge to board members to come up with ideas on how to tell the CVB story to Grapevine residents be it through an insert with the water bills or some other means. He would like to see us find ways to let our citizens know what tourism does for the community. There being no further business to come before the Board, Robert Thrailkill made a motion to adjourn seconded by Tom Smith. Cif ATTEST: DATE: