HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-14 Regular MeetingCity of Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, November 14, 2019 — 8:00 a.m.
CVB Headquarters — Board Room
636 S. Main Street
Grapevine, Texas
Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Citizen Comments
Any person who is not scheduled on the agenda may address the Convention
& Visitors Bureau Board (CVBB) under Citizen Comments or on any other
agenda item by completing a Citizen Appearance Request form with staff. A
member of the public may address the CVBB regarding an item on the agenda
either before or during the Board's consideration of the item, upon being
recognized by the Board Chair or upon consent of the CVBB. In accordance
with the Texas Open Meetings Act, the CVBB is restricted in discussing or
taking action during Citizen Comments.
3. New Employee Introductions
4. Approval of Minutes
5. Liaison Updates
A. Heritage Foundation Activities
B. Chamber of Commerce Activities
6. Sales & Marketing Report
A. Connect Texas / Grapevine
B. Connect Tech & Pharma / Dallas
C. Connect Faith / Grand Rapids
7. Old Business
A. Don Bigbie Award Nominations
8. New Business
A. Grants In Aid Request
i. Melange Musical
9. Hotels / Attractions / Activities
10.Adjournment
If you plan to attend this special public meeting and 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 8th day of November, 2019 BY
5:00 p.m.
indy Bell
Assistant to 1he 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, November 14, 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
Dan Weinberger
Chuck Pacioni
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
Steve Brown
Chamber of Commerce Liaison
Paul W. McCallum
Executive Director
Lindy Bell
Assistant to the Executive Director
Absent: lain Scouller— Board Member
Debi Meek — Board Member
Brady Closson — Deputy Executive Director
CALL TO ORDER
Board Chair Joe Szymaszek, called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS
Mr. McCallum introduced two new employees. Kelly Galizio, Accountant II, and Tony
Adamo, Marketing and Special Promotions Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Dan Weinberger, seconded by Mark Terpening approved the minutes from
the October 17, 2019 meeting and prevailed by the following vote:
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Weinberger, Blankenship and Pacioni.
Nays: None
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November 14, 2019
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LIAISON UPDATES
Heritage Foundation Activities
Heritage Foundation Liaison Becky Hummer reported that the Foundation's Annual
Meeting was held Thursday, November 14. Due to extreme cold weather, members
met inside the Nash Farm house and were treated to a delicious dinner served with
Nash Farm hospitality. Chairman Ratliff and Board members reported on events from
the previous year highlighting the successful bringing together of the depot and
museums yielding an increase in attendance. A successful combining of Nash Farm
and the Italian CarFest was also recognized. The 2019 Nash Farm Special Recognition
award was presented to Willhoite's restaurant for its year round support of events. Eric
Parker accepted the award on behalf of Willhoite's.
Nash Farm and Heritage Museums
Ms. Hummer reported that Bewitched by the Barn had a tremendous turn out of 250
guests while Settlement to City Museums Trick or Treat evening had 222 costumed
visitors. Christmas on the Farm will be held throughout December and will consist of
Victorian Christmas traditions which include cookie baking and ornament making
activities. Decorating the Farmhouse will be held for the First Friday event December
6th while Saturday, December 14th, guests will be invited to join farmhands for a family
celebration of the season. A Christmas Parlor Sociable will be held December 12th with
coffee, tea, sweets, parlor games and conversation.
Chamber of Commerce
Grapevine Chamber liaison Steve Brown reported that the final fund raising event for
the new office space was held Thursday, November 7th. Fund raising will continue with
the goal of $1.1 million almost obtained. Project completion date of December 9th is on
schedule but may be earlier thanks to the excellent work of Trinity Construction.
SALES AND MARKETING REPORT
In the absence of Brady Closson, Mr. McCallum reported that for November the
Convention and Leisure Sales team had 132 sales leads with 23 definite bookings
representing 24,786 room nights and an economic impact of almost $10 million. Sales
team participated in 9 site inspections. The sales team participated in three missions:
Codi Missimo with Connect Texas in Grapevine, Ellie George with Connect Faith in
Grand Rapids, Michigan and Connect Tech & Pharma held in Dallas with Connie Ash
participating.
Connect Texas held in early October had 28 one-on-one appointments realized. Six
targeted meeting planners were hosted on the open night during the event. These
efforts resulted in four request for proposals. Connect Faith held the end of October
realized 39 scheduled appointments resulting in two requests for proposal with
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November 14, 2019
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additional requests for proposal, four interested FAM attendees and a future lead
generation of 12. Connect Med/Tech saw 35 one-on-one appointments resulting in four
requests for proposal. Additional breakfast appointments were held and six meeting
planners hosted.
The Visitor Information Center welcomed almost 2,500 visitors, with brochure
distribution for the month of October over 34,800 pieces.
Destination Services assisted 10 groups representing almost 10,000 delegates with
potential economic impact over $16 million.
The Convention Center, Palace Arts Center and Concourse hosted a combined 72
events with 11,880 in attendance. 35 future events were booked during the month
anticipating 5,400 attendees.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad conducted 18 excursions for the month.
The website welcomed approximately 92,470 unique visitors in October with a total
website visitation over 135,000.
Online Trade (GROUP) received more than 160,000 total impressions with two
insertions. Print Trade (GROUP) had 1 insertion with a circulation of more than 10,000.
Print consumer publications had 27 insertions with a circulation of over half a million.
On-line Consumer Advertising exceeded 3 million impressions with 4 insertions.
Included were Shop Across Texas, Simpleview, Tax -Free Shopping and
TourTexas.com.
Four media releases were distributed. Print and online ad value for October totaled a
circulation of almost 3 million.
There were two TV segments: A Texas Wine Experience on KXAS-DAL on NBC, a
GrapeFest follow up and KTXA-DAL CBS -digital covering Halloween at Sea Life
Aquarium with a 142-second spot.
A very postive on-line Southern Living article was discussed with hard copies of the
magazine scheduled to hit newsstands November 15th. Additional Christmas Capital of
Texas of articles will be coming in Texas Parks & Wildlife and Country Living. The
Country Living article ranks Grapevine as number four nationally for Christmas
destinations.
No action was taken by the Board.
Board of Directors Meeting
November 14, 2019
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OLD BUSINESS
Don Bigbie Award
Mr. McCallum discussed the Don Bigbie Legends of Tourism award being particular to
the Convention & Visitors Bureau to recognize those who have made significant
contributions to the tourism industry in Grapevine. Following a brief discussion, Vice
Chair Mark Terpening nominated Dr. Curtis Ratliff as the 2020 award recipient. Cynthia
Blankenship seconded the motion.
Mr. McCallum will inform the Board as soon as Dr. Ratliff is notified.
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Pacioni, Weinberger and Blankenship
NEW BUSINESS
Grants In Aid Request
Mr. McCallum presented the request from Melange Musical for a Grants In Aid funding
request of $7,100. After discussion, Cynthia Blankenship proposed funding the grant in
the amount of $5,000 for two concerts with the caveat there be an increase in
attendance to be considered for any add�itional future funding. The Board further
stipulated that a suggestion be made to Melange Musical to obtain a sponsor for the
events and obtain a partner such as Bingham Family Vineyards who shares an interest
in music to conduct a wine and cheese tasting event in tandem with the concert. Motion
was seconded by Dan Weinberger.
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Pacioni, Weinberger and Blankenship
Nays: None
HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
Mr. McCallum reported that American Airlines is beginning two new non-stop
international flights to Auckland, New Zealand and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Chair Szymaszek reported that the Kate Spade store is open at Grapevine Mills and
doing well. Chair Szymaszek further reported that Grapevine Mills has a 95%
occupancy rate with a major entertainment announcement coming by year end.
Gaylord General Manager Chuck Pacioni reported that ICE! was opening Friday,
November 15th with expected attendance of 360,000.
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American Way magazine, produced by American Airlines, has a two -page spread on
Grapevine in the current issue. The editorial also contains good background
information regarding Grapevine. Kubota was mentioned as having its North American
headquarters in Grapevine.
Mr. McCallum reported there will be more activities in the North Pole neighborhood on
non -train days. The Christmas Capital of Texas brochure is currently at the printer and
expected any time and will be immediately distributed.
There being no further business to come before the Board a motion by Mark Terpening,
seconded by Cynthia Blankenship to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 a.m. prevailed by the
following vote:
Ayes: Szymaszek, Terpening, Weinberger, Pacioni and Blankenship.
Nays: None
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS
BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS ON THIS
10th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2019.
J5e Szymas#k
Chairman
ATTEST:
Lindy Bell
Assistant to the Executive Director