Okaloosa County BOCC — March 27, 2014 — reading text

Moore-Nixon) Ms. Nixon discussed several awards and accolades bestowed on the convention center and destination as a whole. Among them were the Emerald Coast Convention Center, Reader’s Choice Award, and Best Meeting Place in the South. Additionally, Trip Advisor named the Emerald Coast one of the “Top Ten Destinations on the Rise.” FlipKey recognized Destin in the “Top 10 Best Gulf Beaches.” Mr. Rick Seevers announced that the Emerald Coast CVB received a Gold Addy Award for the 2013-14 Emerald Coast Visitors Guide cover, a Silver Addy Award for the entire Visitors Guide, and a Silver Addy Award for the Dining 2-page editorial section. The Peter Mayer Agency then reviewed the “A Very Emerald Christmas Campaign” results compiled to date; including the national coverage that ran in print and broadcast. Many stories were picked up by various national stations across the country. They went on to share the highest numbers from views, shares and responses to-date via social media during December. January numbers continued to exceed December’s. They also have a plan to begin using another social media tool, Instagram, and have high expectations for its success. The agency reassured the TDC Council the BP grant monies due to expire at the end of March have been allocated in their entirety. The agency plans to invoice the TDD by March 19 in order to complete the funding requirements before the deadline. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 3 of 9 Packet Pg. 5  1.a Attendees were then shown future advertising, to include television commercial, radio and print spots to be placed in various media for the next season. Video and photo shoots are on Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 27, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale the schedule to be completed soon. Additionally, the UWF Haas Center will begin working on quarterly reports and economic impact reports Monday to provide a more complete picture of areas for improvement. Mr. Gossom requested a report of lessons learned from the Christmas campaign to identify how the first seasonal event went, and determine what can be done to improve the campaign if the group decides to hold it again. The agency stated they would compile the information. Ms. Joyce requested the agency ensure the partner’s inputs were solicited and incorporated in the report. Mr. Guidry stated that the RV parks are running at 100% capacity, the condos have had a soft opening this year and hotel numbers were good in January and February, but soft in March. Many accolades were received from the TDC Council on the job the agency did. VII. Sales Update (Tisha Maraj) The sales team is currently focusing efforts on drawing in more corporate events. With the drawing down of government, the team identified the need to refocus efforts. They are currently gathering leads from associations in which they are members. November and December brought two big groups that put a lot of heads in beds. Both groups are scheduled again for 2015. VIII. Old Business IX. New Business The chairman requested Ms. Moore present at this time. Ms. Leigh Moore from the Howard Group was introduced to discuss plans to widen US 98 in Destin from four to six lanes. There are currently two contiguous projects being planned by the FDOT. Her group is interested in increasing funding to accelerate the projects. Both are in the design phase with FDOT during April and August of this year, respectively. The department currently estimates the completion of the roadway by 2030. In addition to widening the roadway, the projects would increase sidewalk space, include beautification, widening of the roadway median and adding trees, as well as increasing the bike lane width. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 4 of 9 Packet Pg. 6  1.a The group would like to increase funding to expedite the project. However, support from counties and cities are pivotal. The Howard Group is spearheading the charge to show Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 27, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale support for the project. Signed resolutions or commitments by various groups have been made, to include the Scenic Gulf Drive group, the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, and the Destin City Council will be looking at it on Monday night. They are requesting a letter or resolution for support of the project from these groups. Mr. Windes immediately moved to provide the Howard Group with a letter of endorsement to support the project. Motion to Approve Letter of Endorsement RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Windes SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Joyce, Dixon, Rigdon a. Transfer First Penny Reserve Funds- An administrative error resulted in an erroneous transfer of remaining Western Destin Beach Restoration funds to cash carry forward/reserves. Ms. Dunworth briefed the group and requested approval to transfer funds from reserves to the expense account. Motion to Approve Allocation of Reserve Funds RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Rice AYES: Windes, Peterson, Gossom, Joyce, Dixon, Rigdon b. Food & Beverage RFP- Mr. Leaman briefed the group on the status of the food and beverage RFP. Aramark has been awarded the proposal by the selection committee, provided the TDC and BCC approve to enter into contract negotiations. Motion to Recommend Awarding the Convention Center’s current Food and Beverage Catering Proposal to Aramark RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [6-1] MOVER: Rigdon SECONDER: Windes AYES: Guidry, Peterson, Gossom, Joyce, Dixon NAYES: Rice c. Engineering Consultant Contract – Genesis- The center has entered into a contract to be signed by the BCC Chairman soon. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 5 of 9 Packet Pg. 7  1.a d. Engineering Consultant Contract – Matrix- The center has entered into a contract to be signed by the BCC Chairman soon. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 27, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale e. Add office space at the Visitors Center- Mr. Schroeder showed a schematic of the Visitors Center and explained much needed renovations. The work would add three offices, a work area and a storage space. The Visitors Center currently rents four climate-controlled storage spaces in Destin. The goal is to move storage materials to the Visitors Center and reduce the satellite storage from four to two units initially, and eventually to one remaining unit. There is a potential for $240 in monthly savings per unit eliminated. Mr. Guidry stated while the improvements are needed, they should be considered a short term solution, not a long term. He likened the project to putting lipstick on a pig. The Visitors Center also needs reroofing, but added its current size offers no growth potential. The Visitors Center needs a whole new state of the art building. Mr. Schroeder continued by stating funding would come from the already established fund for Visitors Center improvements. Motion to Recommend Visitors Center Improvements as Provided RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Gossom AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Joyce, Windes, Dixon, Rigdon f. Contract with Horizons – 2013 and 2014 Burning Up the Beaches Special Event- Mr. Schroeder’s predecessor made a verbal agreement with Horizons to provide $7,500 each for a 2013 and 2014 video of the car show to be aired on national cable television. There is documentation to show Horizons honored their end of that agreement for the shows. Mr. Schroeder requested the TDC Council vote on whether to honor the TDD’s verbal agreement and pay for each of the event videos in 2013 and 2014. Motion to Honor Verbal Commitment with Horizons to Pay “Burning Up The Beaches” $7,500 for each 2013 and 2014 Event Video RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Windes SECONDER: Rice AYES: Gossom, Peterson, Guidry, Joyce, Dixon, Rigdon g. h. Revise Ad Agency Strategic Marketing Plan- Ms. Dunworth recapped the revised Strategic Marketing Plan provided to the Council. Television production has been Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 6 of 9 Packet Pg. 8  1.a added, and a new category called “Last Minute Deals.” This would enable the TDD to make last minute decisions on marketing opportunities that would otherwise be lost.