HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-16 Regular Meeting CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
GRAPEVINE CONVENTION &VISITORS BUREAU
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, February 16, 2012 — 8:00 a.m.
Wallis Building
Grapevine, Texas
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
III. BOARD MEMBER INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. CV B HEADQUARTERS MOVE
B. WALLIS BUILDING UPDATE
C. MIDTOWN BUILDING RENOVATIONS
tof D. NASH FARM HERITAGE PROGRAMS & PRESERVATION
UPDATE
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. CVB HEADQUARTERS & MUSEUM DEDICATION
B. DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES AND COACHES ACQUISITION
VI. SALES & MARKETING REPORT
VII. HOTELS /ATTRACTIONS ACTIVITIES
VIII. LIAISON UPDATES
A. HERITAGE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES
B. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES
IX. ADJOURNMENT
State of Texas
County of Tarrant
City of Grapevine
MINUTES
The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors met on Thursday,
February 16, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. at the Wallis Building, Grapevine, Texas with the
following persons in attendance:
Paul Slechta Chairman
LuAnn Chapman Gatts Board Member
Tom Cherry Board Member
Gracie Vega for John Imaizumi, Board Member
Dennis Roberts Board member
Peggy Weaver Board Member
Dan Weinberger Board Member
Curtis Ratliff Heritage Foundation Liaison
Doug Lawson Chamber Liaison
Sharron Spencer Council Liaison
Paul W. McCallum Executive Director
George Kakos Assistant Executive Director
tior Absent:
Jennifer Hibbs Assistant City Manager
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Slechta called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes from the January 19, 2012 meeting was made by Dan
Weinberger and seconded by Dennis Roberts. Motion carried.
BOARD MEMBER INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Big Fish had its best December in history and credits the City and the CVB
• Good Things for All Seasons sales were up 15% in December
• Downtown merchants in general were pleased with the holiday season
• Mall merchants are very pleased with sales
• Highway construction is ahead of schedule and expected to be 85% complete by the
end of 2012
OLD BUSINESS
CVB Headquarters Move
Mr. McCallum reported that the move of the CVB offices could not have gone better.
The IT department took us down on Friday afternoon and had us back up for business
on Monday. CVB staff members are extremely pleased with the new offices.
Board of Directors Meeting
February 16, 2012
Page 2 of 4
OLD BUSINESS cont.
Wallis Building Update
The Wallis Building remains in use by the Grapevine Shuttle program, Destination
Services and the Grapevine Market. For the next couple of months the board room will
continue to be used for various meetings.
Originally, staff had searched for a private art collection to be on display in the building,
however one meeting the requirements has not been found. At this time we have
begun investigating the process with the Smithsonian to bring an exhibit to the Wallis.
The exhibit would be something relevant to the region. This would require an initial
investment in the building along with operating expenses. We would look for grants and
revenue from admissions. We would expect the Smithsonian name to be a great
addition to the tourism product.
LuAnn Chapman Gatts made a motion that the board endorse the pursuing of a
Smithsonian Exhibit for display in the Wallis Building. Motion was seconded by Tom
Cherry and carried.
Midtown Building Renovations
Mr. McCallum shared photos of the midtown building which is situated between the
Settlement to City museum and the CVB Headquarters. He also shared a photo of the
Grapevine Ice Company which will become the façade on the building. At present the
building is gutted on the inside as the historical society begins to design the space for
their museum. The Historical Society will have their February 27th launch of the
fundraising campaign in the building. Their goal is to raise $150,000 to build out the
exhibits. The CVB will do the exterior renovations, façade, and bring the interior to
proper standards. The City and CVB are assisting with funds. This building will
approximately triple the amount of exhibit space from what is currently available in the
Depot.
Nash Farm Heritage Programs & Preservation Update
Staff made a presentation to the City Council on February 7th on the proposed
programming for the next three years for Nash Farm. The farm is the main focus of the
Heritage Foundation as established a few years ago. The farm was completed in April
of 2008 and Jim Lauderdale has come on board to lead this program. The farm is
designed to be an educational and interpretive center. The Executive Committee of the
Heritage Foundation Board met recently and is planning to hold a public imput meeting.
The input meeting date will be set on February 22nd at a special called meeting of the
board. At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Heritage Foundation Board in March
the board will act on the information gathered at the public meeting. Dr. Ratliff added
that the mayor and council charged the Heritage Foundation board with moving the
Nash Farm program forward.
Board of Directors Meeting
February 16, 2012
Page 3 of 4
NEW BUSINESS
CVB Headquarters & Museum Dedication
The target date for the CVB Headquarters & Museum dedication was March 2, 2012 to
complement the March 2, 2010 ground breaking. Workers will begin installation of the
tower pieces next Monday; however, additional time is required to lay the proper
groundwork for media purposes. At this time we are contemplating Main Street Days
for the Dedications.
Diesel Locomotives and Coaches Acquisition
Staff had brought this item to the board back in 2007 when revenues were at their peak,
however before equipment could be located times had turned and the project was put
on hold. Once again, Grapevine Vintage Railroad revenues are good and staff
continues to add special runs to the program causing an impact on our present
equipment and increasing the need for additional equipment. At this time we are
considering the F Series diesel engines.
Puffy, steam engine 2248, is moving back into the repair process and when completed
she will be used mainly for ceremonial purposes.
SALES AND MARKETING REPORT
Mr. Kakos reported that during the month of January, Convention Sales produced 29
leads representing 12,817 potential room nights, 22 of the leads for 2012. They
assisted with seven definites representing 12,175 room nights and conducted five site
inspections. Over 2,100 invites have been sent out for the Pre Oscar event to be held
on February 23rd. Tourism sales produced seven leads representing 454 potential room
nights and assisted with three definites representing 74 room nights. The tourism team
attended the Austin Home & Garden Show and the Oklahoma City Home and Garden
Show. They conducted 23 sales appointments at the American Bus Association
Marketplace. 43,290 brochures were distributed during the month and 5,190 visitors
were welcomed at the Visitor Information Center. Destination Services provided
registration and information assistance to 15 groups with 11,437 delegates. The
Grapevine Visitor Shuttle carried 2,656 passengers versus 1,688 in January last year.
The Convention Center had 24 future bookings with 8,015 attendees and total sales of
$46,083. The Palace Arts Centre had 16 future bookings with 2,550 attendees and total
sales of$18,340. The Concourse had 16 future bookings with 1,805 attendees and
total sales of$3,518.
There were 64,385 unique visitors to the web site versus 59,963 last year. The
percentage of mobile users is 20%. There were eight convention group ad insertions,
two leisure group ad insertions, 13 on-line ad insertions, 38 consumer publication ad
insertions and 59 on-line leisure ad insertions. Total advertising investment was
$41,455. Public relations generated $135,019 in print, $3,105 in electronic and $2,850
on-line for a total public relations value of$140,974.
Board of Directors Meeting
February 16, 2012
Page 4 of 4
HOTELS / ATTRACTIONS ACTIVITIES
• The Grapevine Vintage Railroad begins service on Feb. 18th
• The Jazz Wine Trains are March 30 and March 31
• Thomas the Tank will be here 4/13-15 and 4/20-22
• The Farmers Market opens March 22nd
• The Grapevine Market opens April 12th
• Triple R Locksmith has moved to the corner of Dooley and Texas Streets
• Chocolate Grape on Main Street has closed
• The Tilted Kilt has closed
• Weinberger's Deli is now offering delivery service to the Main Street area
• Press Box Grill is now open in Northwest Crossing
• DFW Airport will open Pod Hotels for travelers with long layovers. Each pod is 56
sq-feet.
• Grapevine Mills will have a President's Day Super Sale February 17 — 20th
• New brochures out include the 8th Annual ChocolateFest, Winery Guide, Nash Farm,
and Grapevine Historical Society's Fundraising Campaign
LIAISON UPDATES
Heritage Foundation Activities
Curtis Ratliff reported that the Heritage Foundation Board has formed two committees,
consisting of a board member, Nash Farm Committee member and a staff member, to
advance the Nash Farm programs and carry out the Lonn Taylor report, an interpretive
plan for Nash Farm. Staff and volunteers will conduct a tour of the farm this afternoon
for the CVB staff.
Chamber of Commerce Activities
Mr. Lawson reported that the Chamber Board recently held a retreat to solidify the body
of work for the next year. They are working in three areas, leadership development,
business development and stewardship. The Chamber is starting a Young
Professionals group and a Young Entrepreneurs Program. The Grapevine Leadership
program is going great. The Chamber continues to work to support communities along
highway 114 during the construction.
ADJOURNMENT
LuAnn Chapman Gatts made a motion to adjourn seconded by Peggy Weaver. Motion
carried.
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