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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-24 Regular Meeting CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Thursday, February 24, 2005 -- 11:30 a.m. WALLIS BUILDING ONE LIBERTY PARK PLAZA, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES III. HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS REPORT IV. SALES AND MARKETING REPORT tor V. OLD BUSINESS A. CHICAGO SALES MISSION B. ST. PAT'S SALES MISSION VI. NEW BUSINESS A. OFFICE SPACE VII. REPORTS A. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE B. HERITAGE FOUNDATION VIII. ADJOURNMENT State of Texas Cr County of Tarrant City of Grapevine MINUTES The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors met on Thursday, February 24, 2005 at the Wallis Building, Grapevine, Texas with the following persons in attendance: Don Bigbie Chairman Ev Barnes Board Member Bill Brink Board Member Philip Cloud Board Member Kathee Livengood Board Member Cliff Reynolds Board Member Paul Slechta Board Member Tom Smith Board Member Steve Stinson Board Member Darlene Freed Council Liaison Melva Stanfield Heritage Foundation Martin Thompson Grapevine Chamber Paul W. McCallum Executive Director George Kakos Assistant Executive Director Absent: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Bigbie called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes with the correction of the spelling of George Vizer's name from the January 20th meeting was made by Steve Stinson and seconded by Bill Brink. Motion carried. Mr. McCallum introduced Sherri Strayer, Main Street Market Manager to the board and reviewed the program, which will start on March 24th and cover areas at the Gazebo, Farmers Market, Liberty Park Plaza and Weems Alley. HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS REPORT Mr. McCallum shared the following: • Springhill Suites plan on opening April 1, 2005 with 111 guestrooms. • Grand Hyatt will have a soft opening July 1 and firm opening July 15th The Board of Directors Meeting February 24, 2005 Page 2 of 4 HOTELS/ATTRACTIONS REPORT cont. • A building permit was issued for Gaylord Texan Resort parking garage, which will have 1,700 parking spaces. • The Terraces is changing their name to Verizon Place Hotel and Conference Center. • The City issued a demolition permit for the old Huffines used car dealership, the car wash and King Arthur's Castle. Gary Hazelwood plans to develop that area. • There was a fire at Bass Pro Shops on January 22nd caused by a customer firing a black powder weapon in the gun range. No one was injured but the gun range will have to be rebuilt. It has not disrupted the remainder of the store. • Main Street Blues opened. It is very nicely done. • The old Movies 8 location is being reworked and will house 3 top-end restaurants. • The train now has a 1 p.m. departure out of Grapevine. They have increased concession sales and ridership is up over this time last year. • Diesel engine 2199 has been painted and is en route to Grapevine. • The Rotarians dedicated the flagpole at the Cotton Belt Railroad District yesterday in honor of 100 years of Rotary. • Elliott's will close and the property will become the corporate headquarters for Bank of the West. Cor • Staff is in discussion with Richard Blenko about the possibility of relocating the Blenko Glass Museum from Huntington, West Virginia to Grapevine. • Staff attended the American Bus Association (ABA) annual convention in Chicago. They will be in Grapevine in 2007. • Shared the attached song lyrics by Derry! Perry and asked for input. SALES AND MARKETING REPORT Mr. Kakos reported for the month of January that the convention sales division produced 53 leads representing 32,998 potential room nights. The team assisted with 5 definite groups representing 2,412 room nights. The team conducted 6 site inspections and participated in Southwest Showcase, MPI — PEC in San Diego and RCMA. Tourism division produced 8 leads representing 839 potential room nights, assisted 10 definite groups representing 741 room nights and conducted 1 site inspection. Staff participated in ABA, Bank Travel, Kaleo Tour Group and Kansas Women's Fair trade shows and a west Texas sales blitz. Staff assisted with 9 definite groups representing 12,895 room nights. During the month 33,678 brochures were distributed and 4,062 visitors were assisted at the Visitor Information Center. Pam Kinkema, Visitor Center Supervisor, is doing a great job with the volunteers. They have started to sell merchandise at the center. The Convention Center booked 24 events representing 4,263 attendees. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is down during January for the annual inspection of Puffy. Visits to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad web site totaled 19,165 and visits to the Board of Directors Meeting Cr February 24, 2005 Page 3 of 4 SALES AND MARKETING REPORT cont. general site numbered 23,289. Public Relations generated $92,226 in print and $7,729 in electronic media coverage. OLD BUSINESS Chicago Sales Mission Mr. McCallum reported that Janet Williams led the team of hotel partners on the Chicago Sales Mission. PCMA, Smith Bucklin, Pepsico, Plumbing Manufacturers Institute and Pampered Chef were some of the companies they met with. The CVB hosted a dinner at N9NE for planners and their guests. St. Pat's Sales Mission The New York Sales Mission is scheduled for March 14-18th. The group will include hotel partners and staff. Darlene Freed will represent the city leadership at the dinner. NEW BUSINESS Office Space In the next six months we will bring a recommendation regarding office space to the board. Over the next four weeks we expect to add 5 new staff members. After 9/11 some positions were left unfilled. Several options have been considered over the past few years including purchasing the old drug store, purchasing the old post office and covering Jenkins Street. It may be necessary to find another location. REPORTS Heritage Foundation Melva Stanfield reported that for the first time they will make some Historic Preservation Awards, recognizing individuals, groups and corporations for supporting preservation. There will be a St. Pat's celebration at 7 p.m. They have opened a fund-raising campaign for restoration of Nash Farm. Pam and LeeRoy McCain are leading the campaign. Melva thanked the board for the 160th Anniversary Celebration in November and the proceeds donated to the Nash Farm project. Chamber of Commerce Martin Thompson reported that the Chamber completed a successful Mardi Gras party. His term ends next month at the Annual Chamber Banquet on March 31st at the Hyatt. Ron Stacy is the incoming chairman. L The Board of Directors Meeting February 24, 2005 Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bigbie expressed the board's appreciation to Martin for his service to the board. Mr. Bigbie reminded everyone of New Vintage Wine Trail on April 15 —16. The Great Taste of Grapevine on April 14th is put on by the Women's Division of the Chamber. There being no further business to come before the board; Cliff Reynolds made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Ev Barnes. Motion carried. ATTEST: DATE: C