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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. ,,, ATTEST: DATE: