Okaloosa County BOCC — June 25, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Council Members & Staff Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Dale E. Peterson Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Present - - Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman, Magnolia Grill Present - - Rachel Joyce Hampton Inn FWB Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Absent - - Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Absent - - Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) No Public Comments Councilmember’s Minute Chairman Peterson summarized the results of the survey discussing the way Okaloosa County conducts tourism in order to prevent issues similar to Panama City Beach. He noted the consensus seems to be the way the Emerald Coast promotes tourism is working and doesn’t see any reason to change course. Mr. Rice recognized Rev. Cecil Williams, who was instrumental in blessing the bell and will assist in blessing the tower in November. Mr. Guidry believes that the survey focused more on how the county deters problems, when it should have talked about the positive ways it promotes tourism to families and family events that happen around the area. Mr. Gossom brought attention to an Emerald Coast advertisement in More Magazine, and also congratulated Chairman Peterson, Mr. Owen, Ms. Dedicke and Ms. Rushing for their nomination to Visit Florida committees. Mr. Owen congratulated all in tourism who are bringing in visitors and noted the need to keep the media telling the good story of our area. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. May 28, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the minutes as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Gossom AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Joyce, Owen, Dixon Tourist Development Council Page 1  b. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth gave a financial update highlighting increases in revenue for April, and explained the reason for variances in each penny of the budget. Mr. Guidry asked about fall concerts and promotions at the convention center that have not occurred in the last couple of years. Ms. Dunworth explained that they have continued to budget for concerts, but they have not yet been scheduled. Ms. Joyce asked if concerts were expected to start again. Mr. Leaman answered they do not have plans to do any large events until next Spring. Mr. Guidry and Ms. Joyce both expressed a desire for events to begin in the fall if possible. Motion: To accept the financial report as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Joyce, Owen c. Beasley Park Committee Request (Daisy Wiggins) Statia McNeese gave a presentation about the history of John C. Beasley Park. He asked the Council for support to commemorate the foundation and history of John C. Beasley Park as a historical site. Mr. Guidry asked if there was any consideration to rename the pavilion for Andrew Hill, the first ranger to the park. Mr. McNeese said that had not been discussed, but the committee would be in favor. Mr. Guidry asked for clarification on what the Beasley Park Committee was requesting. Mr. Schroeder said that BPC is initially requesting TDC endorsement of the project, and approval of the actual cost could be a separate vote later. Mr. Schroeder explained the TDC may not be the only source for funding. Mr. Rice and Mr. Dixon expressed their support of this project, as they remember the time when the park was segregated. To endorse and move forward with the Beasley Park historical site project Motion: using both options RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Joyce, Owen d. Burning Up the Beaches 2016 Local Event Marketing Funding Request (LA Woodall) Mr. Schroeder explained the new deadline of May 1 for all event funding requests. The application came in after the deadline; therefore the TDD staff was unable to approve the request without bringing it to the TDC. Mr. Woodall explained the request was submitted prior to the deadline, but was turned in on an old form and he was unable to resubmit the correct form until after the deadline. He appealed to the Council to fund the event despite his error. Mr. Owen said this is the first year the system has been changed and issues are bound to arise, and the request should be approved. Mr. Guidry, Ms. Joyce, and Mr. Gossom commented in favor of the motion. Chairman Peterson mentioned the TDC should be careful about sending a message about appealing to the TDC in lieu of following procedure. Motion: To accept the request for funds for Burning Up the Beaches 2016 RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Owen SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Joyce, Rice II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) e. Marketing Update Ms. Clarke presented updates of the fall marketing campaign running from June 16 – Sept 30 in print, radio, TV & digital. She also provided updates on the website and the number of visitors to the site, blogs, social media, and upcoming events and promotions. Tourist Development Council Page 2 June 25, 2016  f. ECCC Sales Update Ms. Maraj updated the Council on trade shows the ECCC sales staff participated in and groups that are scheduled to use the convention center this year. The group in attendance this week, Super WOW, has already scheduled dates for next year. Mr. Guidry asked if there was any food or beverage involved in the events. Ms. Maraj said that in the two separate events this week, one event gave food options to attendees. The ECCC will provide concessions for the other event because there is very little time for organized food. g. Group Sales Update Ms. Rushing gave an update about the Collinson Fam Tour May 13 – 15. She also overviewed the events for May, June and July, and mentioned that they are working on events to commemorate the 100 Year Celebration of Okaloosa County. III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) h. Editorial re: Lawsuit Against Online Travel Chairman Peterson asked Ms. Joyce and Mr. Guidry about the Editorial Lawsuit and the ruling against tax collectors. He asked the amount that the county is not receiving from online travel agencies. Ms. Joyce explained that each property can negotiate their own commission, which is between 8% to 22%. Chairman Peterson asked when the tax is collected for the TDC and Ms. Joyce answered that it’s collected at the time the room is used. Mr. Owen said that he hopes the tax collector is looking at the Air BNB website. Previously in Destin there were only 12 listings and there are now over 400. On Okaloosa Island there are also over 400 listings. The TDC needs to make sure that they are also paying the bed tax. i. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports j. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report k. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves l. Expenditure Transaction Report m. ECCC & Group Sales Marketing Update n. Film Commission Update Ms. Morgan will be attending the Film Florida Annual Meeting and will have more updates next month. o. Visitor Center Top 10 States p. Airport Enplanements & Deplanements (VPS By Carrier & Comparison) IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each) No Public Comments Mr. Gossom mentioned Quiet Courage airs 7:30p Sunday night on WSRE. V. Next TDC Meeting: July 30, 2015 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Dale Peterson) VI. Adjourn (Dale Peterson) Chairman Peterson adjourned the meeting at 3:35pm Tourist Development Council Page 3 June 25, 2016  APPROVED: APPROVED: By: By: Name: Dale E. Peterson Name: Ed Schroeder Title: Chairman Title: Director, Tourist Development Dept. Date: Date: Tourist Development Council Page 4 June 25, 2016