HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-17 Regular MeetingCITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, October 17, 2019 — 8:00 a.m.
CVB Headquarters
636 S. Main Street
Grapevine, Texas
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
2. BOARD RESIGNATION/NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. LIAISON UPDATES
A. HERITAGE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES
B. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES
5. SALES & MARKETING REPORT
A. IMEX AMERICA
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. PEACE CIRCLE UPDATE
B. DON BIGBIE AWARD
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. GRAPEVINE VINTAGE RAILROAD STORAGE TRACK
8. HOTELS / ATTRACTIONS / ACTIVITIES
9. ADJOURNMENT
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING AND YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT
REQUIRES SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AT THE MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE GRAPEVINE
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AT (817) 410-3185 AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE
MEETING. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE MADE TO ASSIST YOUR NEEDS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 551.001 et seq, ACTS OF THE 1993
TEXAS LEGISLATURE, THE GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING AGENDA WAS PREPARED AND POSTED ON THIS THE 11TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019 BY
5:00 P.M.
dy Bell
Assistant to t Executive Director
State of Texas
County of Tarrant
City of Grapevine
MINUTES
The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors met in Regular Session
on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 636 S. Main Street, Grapevine, Texas with the following persons in attendance:
Joe Szymaszek
Mark Terpening
Sharron Rogers
Cynthia Blankenship
Debi Meek
Dan Weinberger
Board Chair
Board Vice Chair
Council Liaison
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Constituting a quorum, with the following liaisons and staff members present:
Becky Hummer Heritage Foundation Liaison
Paul W. McCallum Executive Director
Brady Closson Deputy Executive Director
Lindy Bell Assistant to the Executive Director
Absent: lain Scouller— Board Member
Chuck Pacioni-Board Member
Steve Brown -Chamber of Commerce Liaison
CALL TO ORDER
Board Chair Joe Szymaszek, called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.
BOARD RESIGNATION/NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS
Board Chair Szymaszek informed the Board of Keith Spinden's, resignation due to his
job relocation to Austin. Mr. Szysmaszek relayed Mr. Spinden's appreciation and
thanks for opportunity to serve on the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.
Mr. McCallum introduced two new employees. Danielle Anderson, Destination Services
Manager, and Elec Winner, Manager of the Palace Arts Center and Markets.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Mark Terpening, seconded by Debi Meek approved the minutes from the
September 19, 2019 meeting and prevailed by the following vote:
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Meek, Weinberger and Blankenship
Nays: None
Board of Directors Meeting
October 17, 2019
Page 2of5
LIAISON UPDATES
Heritage Foundation Activities
Heritage Foundation Liaison Becky Hummer reported that representatives, including
Heritage Foundation Chair and Vice Chair, two City Council members, Historic
Preservation Chairman, one commissioner and two Convention and Visitor Bureau staff
members, attended the National Trust Conference in Denver. Participants attended
sessions and programs on historic preservation. The Calendar Committee continues its
work on the 2020 Heritage Foundation calendar which should be available the first week
of November.
Nash Farm
Ms. Hummer reported that Nash Farm's October First Friday, Cowboy Cooking, had
strong attendance with 130 participants. The annual Nash Farm Barn Dance is
scheduled for Friday, October 18. It will feature a live caller, chicken dinner and pie
auction. Only a few tickets remain. The Fall Round Up's Agricultural Exposition is set for
Saturday, October 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Nash Farm. Last release of
Monarch butterflies will take place at 1:30 p.m. Bewitched by the Barn will take place
Saturday, October 26, from 7:00 — 9:00 p.m. and will feature popcorn, cider and ghost
stories. The Grapevine Heritage Foundation's Annual Meeting will take place at Nash
Farm on Thursday, November 7t". A delicious chicken pot pie supper will be served and
membership updated on past year's events.
Mr. McCallum reported there will be an open house at the Blevins house Saturday and
Sunday, October 19 and 20, from 2:00 — 4:00 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce
In Steve Brown's absence, Mr. Szymaszek provided the Chamber of Commerce up-
date. The Chamber's monthly membership luncheon is scheduled for this date. The
speaker is Pete Havel, author of "The Arsonist in Your Office." Wells Fargo is the
sponsor and Loveria is catering. Mr. Szymaszek reported on fund raising totals for
construction at the Chamber's office building. Currently, there are 102 donors providing
donations totaling $670,000. Construction is on schedule with an anticipated
completion date in early December. The Chamber's Job Fair is scheduled for
Wednesday, October 30t", at the Grapevine Convention Center. Marti Pevehouse's
retirement celebration will be at Esparza's Restaurant on Wednesday, October 30t"
4.00 — 6.00 p.m.
SALES AND MARKETING REPORT
Mr. Closson reported that for September, the Convention and Leisure Sales team had
106 sales leads sourced to stakeholder hotels with 125,000 potential room nights and a
potential economic impact of approximately $71 million. Sales team assisted with 29
definite bookings representing 25,000 room nights and an economic impact of $9
Board of Directors Meeting
October 17, 2019
Page 3of5
million. Sales team participated in 17 site inspections for a potential of more than 35,000
room nights and potential economic impact of $28 million. The sales team participated
in IMEX America sales mission and hosted 13 planners on the GrapeFest FAM.
The Visitor Information Center welcomed over 32,000 visitors while Settlement to City
welcomed over 360 guests and the Depot welcomed almost 2,100 guests. Brochure
distribution for the month of March was over 22,000.
Destination Services assisted 15 groups representing almost 10,000 delegates with
potential economic impact of $9.6 million.
The Convention Center, Palace Arts Center and Concourse hosted a combined 70
events with 13,700 in attendance. 41 future events were booked during the month
anticipating 16,200 attendees.
The website welcomed approximately 204,021 unique visitors in September with a total
website visitation over 316,000.
Online Trade (GROUP) received more than 160,000 total impressions with four
insertions. Print Trade (GROUP) had 3 insertions with a circulation of more than
80,000.
Print consumer publications had 31 insertions with a circulation of 3.2 million.
On-line Consumer Advertising exceeded 5.2 million impressions with 14 insertions.
Included were Shop Across Texas with 2.7 million impressions and targeted online
videos in Austin, Houston, Midland -Odessa and Oklahoma City with almost 1.1 million
impressions.
Thirteen media releases were distributed. Print ad value for September had 11
insertions valued at almost $322,000 with a circulation over 861,000. Insertions
included Dallas Morning News/A Whirl of Fall Fun on September 16 with a circulation of
176,000; Dallas Morning News/Go & Do on September 13 with a circulation of 176,000
and D-The Magazine of Dallas/Small Town Festivals on September 1 with a circulation
of almost 71,000. On-line ad placements for September totaled 30 including
MeetingsToday.com/The North Texas Metroplex continues to Flex its Meeting Muscles'-
MyTexasDaily.com/ Take your Fall up a notch with these 12 things to do in Texas and
CountryLiving.com/7 Christmas Train Rides that will make your Holidays Merrier.
There were almost 1,200 TV/radio outer market spots totaling air time of nine hours and
45 minutes. Core market TV spots totaled almost 371 on -air mentions representing
almost three hours of promotion. There was a total of more than 2,500 spots and on air
mentions promoting GrapeFest. Core market TV spots included a 296-second spot on
WFAA-DAL ABC on September 11 and 11-second spot on KXAS on September 13.
Board of Directors Meeting
October 17, 2019
Page 4of5
Mr. Closson reported that two sales team members attended IMEX America (Incentive
Meeting and Event Exposition) in September. Joining them were representatives from
Hilton DFW Lakes and Embassy Suites. There were over 12,000 attendees. Grapevine
participated in the Team Texas booth and also conducted 31 one-on-one appointments
resulting in three new RFP's and seven individuals showing strong interest in an
upcoming FAM.
No action was taken by the Board.
OLD BUSINESS
Peace Circle Update
Mr. McCallum gave an updated report on the ten bronze sculptures being created by
artist in residence, Linda Lewis. Statues will commemorate the signing of the 1843
Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Grape Vine Springs and will be located in the Plaza
of Grapevine Main. A Power Point of the progress and explanation of the process was
shown to the Board. Anticipated installation is 2021.
Don Bigbie Award
Mr. McCallum distributed criteria and nomination forms for the Board to begin the
process of naming the next recipient(s) of the Don Bigbie Legends of Tourism award.
Nominations are to be submitted before or at the November 14 Board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Grapevine Vintage Railroad Storage Track
Mr. McCallum requested approval for funding to pay for construction of storage track
and retaining wall. The low bid was submitted by Hunt Construction in the amount of
$288,000. After brief discussion, motion was made by Cynthia Blankenship, seconded
by Dan Weinberger to approve the low bid.
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Meek, Weinberger and Blankenship
Nays: None
Mr. McCallum presented a request before the Board for purchase of a new replacement
fork lift for the railroad round house at a cost of $16,400. After brief discussion, motion
was made by Cynthia Blankenship, seconded by Dan Weinberger for approval.
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Meek, Weinberger and Blankenship
Nays: None
Board of Directors Meeting
October 17, 2019
Page 4of5
HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
Mr. Closson reported that the Goofy Turtle toy store at Grapevine Mills opened October
51". The Kate Spade store also to be located at Grapevine Mills will open October 26. A
New Balance store will open first quarter of 2020. The Hilton Garden Inn has received
its building permit for a new 150-room facility at a cost of $15 million. Corky's Gaming
Bistro is doing well and has received a conditional use permit for removal of coin -
operated machines to be replaced by additional axe throwing lanes. Piaf Restaurant is
now fully open.
Mr. Closson mentioned multiple local events scheduled in and around Grapevine in the
coming months including a LEGOLand Master Builder contest at LEGOLand at
Grapevine Mills. Several finalists have been selected to compete for the opportunity to
be a Master Builder at LEGOLand facilities and events across the country.
Mr. Closson mentioned, in addition to Keith Spinden of Grand Hyatt being relocated,
Ruth Benjamin, General Manager of Hyatt DFW, is also relocating to manage the Hyatt
Regency in Tampa, Florida.
There being no further business to come before the Board a motion by Cynthia
Blankenship, seconded by Dan Weinberger to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 a.m.
prevailed by the following vote:
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Weinberger, Meek and Blankenship.
Nays: None
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS
BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS ON THIS
14t" DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019.
APPROVED:
Joe Szymaszek
Chairman
ATTEST:
Lindy Bell
Assistant to the Executive Director