HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_CVB_10.02.2002Members present:
Absent:
Staff present:
Guests:
City of Georgetown
Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Meeting for October 2nd, 2002
Gael Dillard
Michael Martin
Scherry Chapman
Judith Ryan
Carolyn Martin
Kent Huntsman
Bill Lipscomb
John Wiley, Ken Mellender, Jennifer Stephens, Bill Tally
Verna Browning, Charlie Walker, Cari Miller
Debbie Charbonneau for Palace Theatre
Jim Dillard for Georgetown Heritage Society
Following verification that a quorum was present, the chair, Gael Dillard, called the meeting to order.
On a motion made by Judith Ryan and seconded by Mike Martin, the minutes for the September 4,
2002, meeting were approved.
I nere was a report from Debbie Charbonneau on the City Funding Agreement with the Palace
Theater. Debbie reported that an amount of $17,261.91 was spent on advertising this past year, to
comply with the provisions of the Agreement. Debbie reported the money received from the City was
spent on the building rennovations, and the advertising funds are from Palace operational
expenditures. After much discussion, the Advisory Board requested that Debbie provide to the CVB a
written report and copies of receipts detailing the amount of money spent on advertisements which
resulted in bringing tourists to Georgetown.
Ken Knowles gave a report on his Park Train proposal and asked for support on this project. Mike
Martin made a motion, seconded by Bill Lipscomb, that a draft letter of support for the proposal be
prepared for consideration at the next Advisory Board meeting.
Jim Dillard gave a report on Texas Historical Commission's Heritage Tourism Conference and asked
for volunteers to attend the next meeting on November 19th. He explained that he and Gael attended
the initial meeting of the Texas Brazos Trail Region. He discussed the benefits of heritage tourism
and the Heritage Trails Program, and encouraged the CVB to get involved in the creation of the
Brazos Trail Region. He noted there will be advertising in the November issue of Texas Monthly, and
that applications to be on the Brazos Trail Region Board are due November 8th if anyone is interested.
He also mentioned that this group is looking for office space, and expressed an interest in having it
located in Georgetown.
e Ken Mellender was absent there was no report from the Convention Center Subcommittee.
Bill Lipscomb reported that the challenge for strategic planning and marketing is to take a different
roach. The subcommittee is working on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
analysis and trying to determine what Georgetown is and what the hook is that we want to put out in
the market place. The group is looking at who we are, our unique points, why tourists should come to
Georgetown, and a tag line for the City. He noted that using previous studies and plans is important
for efficiency and continuity. SWOT forms were distributed and Board members were encouraged to
complete them and submit them to Cari by October 8th to be compiled for the subcommittee's next
meeting. Members noted that Southwestern University's artifacts in the Red McCombs Center should
be included in information about attractions.
The Lodging Occupancy Report was discussed with members of the B &B Association. A letter from
the CVB chair was prepared to notify the lodging industry about its implementation.
No requests were received for cooperative advertising.
Staff reported that the Downtown Georgetown Association (DGA) and the Main Street committees are
already working on the Christmas Stroll and the Red Poppy Festival. Members requested that more
details about these plans be provided at the next meeting. Verna reported the Cimarron Hills Parade of
Homes will be the end of September and is featuring Historic Georgetown in its advertisement. The
Chamber and CVB staff are working with the group to encourage people to come to the downtown
square area on that weekend.
Agenda items suggested for the next meeting were: The Palace Theater report, standing committee
Drts including the Strategic Planning/Marketing Subcommittee's analysis of the results of the
S WOT submittals, staff report to include the Christmas Stroll, putting the Heritage Society's historic
homes tour on the website, and budget information.
Move to adjourn by Scherry Chapman at 8:30pm