Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_CVB_03.02.2005EST. 1848 GEORGETOWN TEXAS Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Meeting Minutes 6:30 p.m. - March 2, 2005 Present: Kent Huntsman, Martha Lawlor, Ellen Weimer, Bill Banks, Gaz Green, Randy Lesseps, Margie Ranc, Betty Ann Sensabaugh Absent: Holly Bresser, R.C. Lumpkin, Linda Rainsdon City Staff: Shelly Hargrove, Micki Rundell, Laurie Brewer, Keith Hutchinson 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Kent Huntsman at 6:30 p.m. 2. Election of Officers Kent announced that he had been asked by the Mayor to continue as Board Chair for this next year and that he had agreed. He, in turn, asked Martha to continue as Vice -Chair and Ellen to continue as Board Secretary. Both agreed. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve Martha Lawlor as Vice Chair and Ellen Weimer as Board Secretary for the 2005-2006 year. (GreenlSensabaugh) Motion Carried. 3. Minutes Minutes from the February 2, 2005 meeting were reviewed. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. (Banks/Ranc) Motion carried. 4. Staff Presentations — Aecountin2 Department Micki Rundell, Finance Director, and Laurie Brewer, Controller for the City of Georgetown met with the Board to discuss the annual budget process and to ask for feedback. 7:1C V B1Board Cormnission\Meetings105-3-2 Malec For the new members, Micki provided information on where budget funds come from and how the CVB budget is developed. While the CVB is allotted funds to provide to organizations that support tourism efforts, it is important to understand that we don't approve or control those funds. Our role is to advise the Council and make recommendations on how the funds should be spent; it is ultimately their decision. The question was raised as to how much HOT was received from each hotel/motel/B&B monthly. Is there a report that could be shared with the Board providing that information? Micki will work with Shelly to develop something. Laurie asked that the Board complete the questionnaire that was distributed. Since information was being gathered from all City Boards, we need to have this information back to them quickly. Kent asked that we complete the form as individuals but to come prepared to discuss this at our April meeting. We will compile our thoughts and present one statement from the Board. 5. Staff Presentations — Keith Hutchinson Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City of Georgetown, was present to talk about the formation of a new City Board, an Arts & Culture Board. This idea came out of the recent Bond approval for a new Library. The Library plans to include art in all forms as part of their new facility. The idea grew and has now expanded to the City. While this is still in the research stage, the basic format will be discussed at the City Council Workshop scheduled for April 11, 2005. Discussion and input from this Board stressed: • Positions on the Board need to represent local groups such as Southwestern, the Symphony, Williamson County Art Guild, the Palace Theatre and the Community Foundation; • Consider researching Plano and Denton; they have different models and would provide different ideas; • Concern that the Council may see HOT as a source of revenue for this new Board and will take funding from CVB; • Concern that this could affect co-op funding requests that the CVB generally oversees — would this new Board take over that function; • There should be lots of grant funds available to this group — please don't compete for grants that Iocal non-profit groups might be going after. The Board was excited by the possibility of an Arts & Culture Board and wished Keith well. 6. Cooperative Advertising Application No co-op applications this month 7. Task Force Updates • City Branding: nothing to report • Lodging Liaison: Holly not present. • Williamson County Event Center: While there was nothing new to report, Kent did share some history on the complex for the new members. J-ICVB\Board Conunission\Meetings105-3-2 M.doc • Fiddlin' Fair: Nothing to report. Since the Board has laid out the Action Plan for 2005, the existing Task Force groups need to be redefined in order to best achieve the 2005 goals. S. Review of the Board Retreat and the Work Plan for 2005 The Board discussed specific points in the plan such as: • The development of a network of computers at various lodgings and attraction sites that would list programs, events, etc. Lucas Adams has been working on this project; it was suggested that Shelly have him contact Tom Yantis to determine the feasibility. • The potential of the proposed Visitors Center at Wolf Ranch. In order to make this happen, we need to move forward. Shelly will be meeting with the new Property Manager within the next couple of weeks. • A trolley system. It was determined that we are not the group to spearhead this project and was suggested that it be passed on to DGA. Kent asked the Board to continue to review the Plan; Task Force groups and members will be identified at the next meeting. At 8:35 p.m. a MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. (Weimer/Lawlor) Motion carried. Approved and attested to by: 42/ Kent Huntsman Board Chair i a _ Ellen Weimer Board Secretary Date o Date 1.IC V B\Board CurnmisssionlMee[ings105-3-2 M. doe