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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-28 Regular Meeting '„ y '. duwu .. 7 (41 CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS GRAPEVINE CONVENTION&VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Thursday,January 28, 1999— 11:30 a.m. GRAPEVINE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ONE LIBERTY PARK PLAZA, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 17, 1998 MEETING III. OLD BUSINESS A) UPDATE ON SISTER CITY PROGRAM B) UPDATE ON CHICAGO SALES PROMOTION C) PROGRESS REPORT ON EMBASSY SUITES AND BASS PRO D) PROGRESS REPORT ON GAYLORD LODGING GROUP NEGOTIATION IV. NEW BUSINESS A) GRANTS-IN-AID APPLICATION -World Button Accordion Association 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, January 28, 1999 at the Convention &Visitors Bureau, One Liberty Park Plaza, Grapevine, Texas with the following persons in attendance: Don Bigbie Chairman Gary Blagg Board Member Philip Cloud Board Member Kathee Livengood Board Member Phil Parker Board Member Bill Brink Board Member Robert Thrailkill Board Member Steve Trent Board Member Paul W. McCallum Executive Director George Kakos Director of Sales &Marketing Darlene Freed Council Liaison Absent: no one CALL TO ORDER Chairman Don Bigbie called the meeting to order and welcomed members of City Council. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Don Bigbie called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes from the December 17, 1998 Board Meeting was made by Kathee Livengood, seconded by Gary Blagg. SALES AND MARKETING REPORT George Kakos reported that Marcy Roitman had been promoted to Director of Sales and that we were already seeing results. This years Dallas/Fort Worth Visitors Guide is out and Grapevine has an expanded section which represents all of our amenities. Mr. Kakos shared the new tourism rack card, which is made available to convention groups to build attendance. Mr. Kakos reported that during the first quarter (Oct. -Dec.) the value of leads generated was $4,939,000 compared to $ 1,943,000 during this same quarter last year. The media coverage was $ 181,000; brochures distributed 107,000; visitors to the Visitor Board of Directors Meeting January 28, 1999 Page 2 of 3 SALES AND MARKETING REPORT, cont. Information Center were 41,077; convention assisted value was $ 3,793,000 and the value of bureau assisted definites was $ 930,000. Phil Parker commented that the bureau has done a great job of restaffing and promoting from within, especially during this time when it is hard to fill positions. OLD BUSINESS Update on Sister City Program- Mr. McCallum reported that approximately 4 months ago Ferdinand Siegfried - approached the mayor with the idea of forming a Sister City relationship with Krems, Austria based on the many similarities between the two cities. Krems extended an invitation to visit and explore such a relationship. Krems is a city of 25,000 which was chartered a 1,000 years ago. Their focus is on "God, life and tradition". Tourism combined with the wine industry is their number 1 industry. There is pressure to modernize the retail experience while protecting the historic district. \r, The group that traveled to Krems consisted of Mayor Tate,Don Bigbie, Bill Brink, Paul McCallum,Tommy Hardy and were joined in Austria by Bartholomeus Raaphorst. The group experienced an intense familiarization tour of the city during which strong friendships developed. The Krems delegation is anxious to visit Grapevine and to enter into a formal relationship. Mr. McCallum and Bill Brink shared photos and other materials from the trip. Update on Chicago Sales Promotion - George Kakos shared the series of 3 invitations for the Chicago promotion. The promotion has been moved back downtown this year and will be at the 410 Club in the historic Wrigley Building. It is a private club and many of the meeting planners have not been there. We are halfway to the goal of 175 attendees. Several days of sales calls will proceed the event. Progress Report Embassy Suites and Bass Pro - George Kakos shared the pre-opening pieces developed by Embassy Suites. They expect to have an August opening. The Director of Sales is Cyndi Golden and the General Manager is Bill Bretches. Both of them will be at the Chicago promotion. The folks from Bass Pro met with the Hotel/Motel Association and with the staff of the Bureau last week. They are looking at March 25th for a soft opening. Mr. Kakos shared the new catalog with the ad for the Grapevine store. Bass Pro is expected to be a source Board of Directors Meeting January 28, 1999 Page 3 of 3 Progress Report Embassy Suites and Bass Pro cont. - of group business as well as transient business. Will Clark is the General Manger and Greg Cole is the assistant General Manager. Progress Report on Gaylord Lodging Group Negotiation - Mr. McCallum reported that the Gaylord Group will be making a full presentation on the project at next Tuesday's City Council meeting. He urged everyone to be present at the meeting,Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30 pm in the council chambers. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to bring before the Board, Chairman Bigbie called for a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Bill Brink; seconded by Steve Trent. ATTEST: DATE: C