Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council — Jul 25, 2013 — reading text

property is collocated with the Veteran’s Park. It would be available as a community park, lit at night, and provide boat access. Mr. Trifilio will be requesting a permitting phase to the board, near August. This phase could take close to a year. They are very hopeful that this project will not cost any TDC funds, but could qualify for many different grant opportunities. Mr. O’Byrne reassured the council the items are currently in the budget, so there will be no issues if grants are not awarded. b. Okaloosa Island Welcome Center (Nancy Hussong) Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 3 Packet Pg. 4  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes JULY 25, 2013 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jul 25, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson Ms. Hussong showed the council a photo of the back cover of the Emerald Coast Visitors Guide that is due to arrive Friday. She went on to discuss the Visitors Center building’s refurbishment bid process. The building is 20 years old. Mr. Rick Seevers provided advance copies of the visitors guide to the TDC. They were printed at $.67 per copy and a total of 150,000 copies are being printed. The Visit Florida Welcome Centers, throughout Florida, will together receive 8,600 copies. Many of the photos enclosed are by local photographers. Mr. Seevers informed the council that last year’s Vacation Guide was entered in the In House American Design competition and placed in the top 200, out of 4,000 entries. Mr. Rice continued the good news by sharing a story of a visitor with whom he spoke recently. The visitor gave the Visitors Center staff accolades, which Mr. Rice echoed. Mr. Guidry queried Ms. Hussong if the process of refurbishing the center wasn’t like “putting lipstick on a pig.” Ms. Hussong stated that there has been conversation about a new center. Mr. O’Byrne noted repairs being made are band aids to keep the center operational until a new building could be scheduled and completed. Mr. Dixon questioned the ability to build walk-overs to the convention center. c. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Bill Leaman) Mr. Leaman discussed the plans for an exterior upgrade, sidewalks, and landscaping for the convention center. He also mentioned the replacement of the outside LED sign, sound and lighting, as well as increased monitoring equipment. Other projects include heating systems, stucco repair, retrofitted chillers, and loading dock expansion. VI. TDD Staffing Update (Dan O’Byrne) Two positions are currently available. The first is for a marketing coordinator which begins on October 1st. Ms. Kendra Nixon is currently filling the position. The Director of Finance, Administration and Compliance position is still in the process of being filled. VII. Old Business a. Destination Advertising Update 2013 Fall Campaign (Peter Mayer Advertising) Ellen Kempner, of the Peter Mayer Advertising firm, reviewed the Fall Seasonal Savings Campaign and budget. This campaign is based on value driven offers and runs from Aug 26 through Nov 1. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 4 Packet Pg. 5  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes JULY 25, 2013 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jul 25, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson Mr. Dixon questioned the $25K FaceBook Contest. Ms. Kempner responded there was a contest and additional advertising, which will also increase the audience. There will also be visits to the destination given away. Kristi Bucksbarg, Account Executive with Peter A. Mayer, spoke more about print advertising in Southern Living and Texas Monthly. Mr. Peterson asked about a co-op opportunity. Ms. Kempner said the budget did not allow for it currently, but they hoped to do it in the future. Expedia and Hotels.com merchandising placements will drive users to a custom Okaloosa page, as well as Travelzoo. Priceline will have a geo-targeted banner. Orbit and Cheaptickets will also have a custom Okaloosa landing page. Ms. Kempner shared that Visit Florida is the number one visited Florida site. Google will continue to have text ads targeted by keywords. Google has been a top site side action driver for the Spring and Summer campaigns. b. FY 2012/2013 Special Event & Sponsorship Update (Dan O’Byrne) Mr. O’Byrne reviewed the process of obtaining funding for special events and sponsorships. The committee was previously provided a copy of all current applications being reviewed or already granted. Mr. Guidry asked if all of these were listed on the TDC website. Mr. O’Byrne responded that they are or will be. Mr. O’Byrne went on to say that the recipients of these funds are required to drive traffic to EmeraldCoastFL.com in order to translate funding to the lodging industry to put heads in beds. Mr. Rigdon queried the Seafood Festival’s funding. Mr. O’Byrne responded that though they are requesting a certain amount of funding, they would not be approved for that amount. The funding is based on potential room nights. c. Convention Center/Veterans Park Master Plan Update (Dan O’Byrne) Mr. O’Byrne discussed Mr. Rigdon’s question from last month’s meeting about partnering and planning for a headquarters hotel. The Genesis Corporation has been asked to provide a sight plan to suggest how the project could work. Ms. Joyce queried if there was a denial process and if they are logging denials and the reason for them. Tisha Maraj, Sales and Marketing manager, responded there is software used, and the main reason is the lack of a co-located hotel, limited Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 5 Packet Pg. 6  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes JULY 25, 2013 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jul 25, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson space, and lack of date availability. Ms. Joyce asked if the council was jumping the gun with seven new hotels scheduled to be built within the next two years. Mr. Rigdon countered he believed the addition of a headquarter hotel could ensure the longevity of the center. Ms. Hoshihara added to the conversation stating the 4th Penny could not be used for the development, but there are other ways to fund it if the council wishes to do so. Mr. Peterson commented that a headquarter hotel would not necessarily take away from surrounding business, but the overflow and difference in pricing could actually provide aid to the industry. Motion to Approve $26,000 in Funding to the Genesis Corporation for a Master Site Plan of the Specified Improvements and Additions RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Gossom SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Rice, Empson, Peterson, Joyce, Rigdon, Dixon VIII. New Business (Dan O’Byrne) a. Consider Budget Transfer Requests (Dan O’Byrne) Mr. O’Byrne requested the TDC approve funding for two new servers for the TDC and convention center, respectively. Motion to Approve up to $13,000 Each for the Purchase of Two Computer Servers, One Each for the Visitors Center and Convention Center, with combined Support Costs to be equally shared by the Visitors Center and Convention Center. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Ridgon AYES: Rice, Empson, Peterson, Joyce, Gossom, Dixon b. Development of Working Groups Three different working groups, made up of industry practitioners, to help staff, TDC, and other offices affected to expedite putting heads in beds with meaningful advice: - Condominium Operators - Hoteliers - Meetings, Conventions and Events The TDC members were all in agreement with the development of these groups. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 6 Packet Pg. 7  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes