HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-23 Regular Meeting CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1995
11:30 A.M.
AGENDA
POI
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 24, 1995 MEETING
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT STUDY
B. UPDATE LIBERTY PARK PLAZA
C. OTHER
IV. NEW BUSINESS
• A. INTERPRETIVE VISITOR CENTER
B. INCREASED SERVICE LEVELS
C. OTHER
V. SALES AND MARKETING REPORT
VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
VII. ADJOURNMENT
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TARRANT
CITY OF GRAPEVINE
MINUTES
The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors met on Thursday,
March 23, 1995, at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, One Liberty Park
Plaza, Grapevine, Texas at 11 :30 a.m. with the following persons in attendance:
i Don Bigbie Chairman
Warren Dearing Board Member
Nancy Reams Board Member
Bruce Crouch Board Member
Gary Blagg Board Member
Dave Givens Board Member
Phil Parker Board Member
Peggy Britt Board Member
Greg Saunders Board Member
C. Shane Wilbanks Council Liaison
Paul W. McCallum Executive Director
Fran Fairchild Dir. of Marketing & Sales
Absent:
Trent Petty City Manager
CALL TO ORDER
Don Bigbie, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes form the February 24th board meeting was made
by Nancy Reams; seconded by Gary Blagg. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
PFK Study: The hotel study is underway. The principles involved in the project are
working locally and around the country. The first report is due to us the second week
in April. The final report is due in June.
Liberty Park Plaza: The fountain project is in progress. Designers are working on
changing the concept from a spring to a pedestal style fountain. We should have
drawings by the next board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Interpretive Visitor Center: At the last board meeting, Mr. McCallum requested
that we bring ideas to the table this meeting to get input and thoughts. The idea of
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Board of Directors Meeting
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Page 2 of 3
OLD BUSINESS cont.
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0 the Interpretive Visitors Center is that it be an attraction itself. It should not only
draw visitors that are already here, but be a factor in visitor's decisions on what they
0 will see while they are in the Metroplex. It should educate people already restricted
to the 114 and 121 highway corridors to make the drive into Grapevine's Historic
Districts. Mr. McCallum opened this up for discussion. The board suggested that it
needed to be unique and multi-purpose, more than just a visitor center, and located
I on 114. The board expressed how it needed to promote Grapevine's heritage and
attractions, family and children. It was suggested that we find out what makes other
0 visitor centers successful. People need a reason to stop at the visitor center, then
they can be educated on all of the attractions, accommodations, shopping, and dining.
It was pointed out that people who stay here on business need something to do.
111 Grapevine also needs attractions to lure hotel guests from Dallas and Fort Worth.
Greg Saunders pointed out that we need to think future. The depot capital project is
to attend the immediate needs for a visitor center. After discussion, Mr. Bigbie asked
' that the board review the concept one more time at the next board meeting.
III
Increased Service Levels: There is an existing need to add a staff. Convention Center
is way ahead of projections and needs an Events Coordinator to cover existing
go meetings business and in-house sales. Cost of this salary will be covered by the extra
sales revenue and the decrease of part-time staff. A motion to approve the new staff
11 position was made by Phil Parker; seconded by Warren Dearing. A Palace Theater
Director is needed. We are not driving the revenue potential and utilizing what it can
do for Grapevine. To better serve groups it is necessary that the Foundation manage
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III the facility. The Palace Theater Director would manage, book acts, market, and take
a responsible role in the Heritage Center. This person would report to the Director of
Marketing and Sales through the Foundation Director. Cost of this position would be
IIIcovered by increased group bookings and theater revenue. A motion to approve the
position was made by Gary Blagg; seconded by Bruce Crouch.
III SALES AND MARKETING REPORT
New Vintage Festival: Fran Fairchild announced the new partnership with La
IMadelaine.
Main Street Days: The check-in for the 2nd annual beard growing contest was today.
IPublic Relation: "Up all night with Rhonda Shear" did some filming of the show in
Grapevine.
IIIConvention Center: Bookings and revenues are there. More traffic than ever before.
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Board of Directors Meeting
March 23, 1995
Page 3 of 3
SALES AND MARKETING REPORT cont.
Chicago Promotion: We did thirteen sales calls. Generated hot leads every day.
Feedback was positive.
New York Promotion: Staff increased sales calls by 50%, up from 24 to 37 sales
calls. There were 81 meeting planners at the event.
Gary Blagg said the professionalism was outstanding. Staff was great. C. Shane
Wilbanks commented on how it improves each year. Greg Saunders commented that
there was potentially $3.1 million worth of business at the event for the Hyatt. He
also noted that they were about to book $1 .2 million of it.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
Mr. McCallum reported that a study is being conducted by National Service Research
to determine if there is transportation needs between Grapevine's retail and
restaurants and the north Airport hotels and the Airport terminals.
'' Mr. McCallum requested that a time be discussed for the next meeting. It will be held
April 20th at 6:30.
ADJOURNMENT
Warren Dearing made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motioned was
seconded by Nancy Reams; motion carried.
Attest
Date