Okaloosa County BOCC — March 24, 2016 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, March 24, 2016 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 - - Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc.- Mktg & Comm. Firm Present - - Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Present - - Director of Marketing & Events, The Melissa Matern Present Boardwalk/Bone Bruce Craul Chief Operating Office, HarborWalk Hospitality Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - - Honorable Jim Foreman City of Destin Representative Present Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner, District 5 Present - - 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 2:00 PM. Council Member Minute Mr. Craul briefly met with the Lt. Governor regarding the Senate race on his recent visit to Destin/Fort Walton Beach. HarborWalk had a good spring season and April is filling up nicely. Attendees at the Taco & Tequila Festival enjoyed the great weather, food and entertainment. Mr. Guidry noticed at least two previous TDC Chairmen in attendance at today’s meeting, stating it is nice to see them back. Mayor Anderson attended the Transit Co-op meeting which is moving right along with its marketing plans. Tourist stops will be added along with the regular stops. All five cities (Monticello to Jay) in the local area are cooperating to make it workable. Mr. Schroeder wrote a letter of appreciation to the NW Florida League of Cities. Commissioner Windes noticed all the Destin restaurant parking lots have been full over Spring Break. Mr. Rice attended the March Snowbird meeting at the Elk’s Lodge, where Sherry Rushing was also recognized for her efforts. Chairman Peterson noted a 14-15% increase overall for the Spring season. Mr. Foreman is intrigued by the Transportation Co-op development of the Park-n-Ride to include transportation for employees in addition to tourists. Ms. Matern is pleased with activities at The Boardwalk during Spring Break, including the Kitty Hawk Kite Festival, WSA Cheerleaders Conference, Fudpucker’s Spring Volleyball Tournament, Harley Davidson Earthquake and other upcoming activities. Mr. Schroeder noted a website RFP has been issued, and requested a designated member from the TDC with social media proficiency. Mr. Craul volunteered and noted HarborWalk had 1.3 million visitors to its Facebook page for the Taco & Tequila event. To designate Mr. Craul as the TDC Representative to the TDC website Motion: RFP review committee. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Foreman SECONDER: Gossom AYES: Peterson, Rice, Guidry, Matern, Anderson, Windes, Craul Attorney Update None Director Update None Tourist Development Council Page 1  Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) None Visitor a. 654Limo Chauffeured Services Funding Request Jonathan Griffin presented an advertising opportunity to the TDC using active driving billboards on its vehicles. Seven spaces are available using wraps to reinforce and promote the TDC branding campaign, separating Okaloosa County from Walton and Santa Rosa Counties and keeping visitors coming here. TDC discussion ensued. To allow staff to go through its process and consider this for next year’s Motion: budget. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Windes SECONDER: Rice AYES: Craul, Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Peterson, Foreman, Matern b. Sunshine Shuttle John Finch presented an opportunity to mitigate traffic by advertising on moving billboard shuttle buses. Four shuttle buses will operate 12 hours per day, 101 days annually from Holiday Isle to the Emerald Grande. The route repeats every 20 minutes, allowing visitors to park their vehicles and ride everywhere. TDC discussion ensued, including consideration for the County’s contract with Maruti for transportation services, a comprehensive transportation review, and the need for an overall marketing workshop. Motion: To refer to staff to bring back a recommendation. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Foreman SECONDER: Craul AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Windes, Rice, Peterson, Matern Discussion ensued regarding next year’s marketing plan and scope and timing of a special meeting to address marketing. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation c. February 25, 2016 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the February 25, 2016 TDC Meeting Minutes, as presented. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Craul AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Matern, Anderson, Foreman, Windes d. Financial Update (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder reviewed the Financial Update. Motion: To approve the Financial Update, as presented. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Matern AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Craul, Anderson, Foreman, Windes e. Allegiant Airlines Contract guidance (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder requested direction regarding the Allegiant Airlines website lodging link as well as reallocation of advertising funding. To direct Allegiant Airlines to direct people to EmeraldCoastFL website Motion: or turn off the hotel booking feature. Tourist Development Council Page 2 March 24, 2016  RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Craul SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Matern, Anderson, Foreman, Windes To reallocate Allegiant Airlines advertising funding to $1.5 Million for Motion: the first year and $1.5 Million for the second year. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Craul SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Matern, Anderson, Foreman, Windes f. Local Event Marketing Funding guidance (Ed Schroeder) Discussion regarding emphasis of heads in beds for the Local Event Marketing Funding guidelines. II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) g. Marketing Update (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder reviewed the status of the marketing transition and then presented the marketing update. h. Sales Update (Sherry Rushing & Tisha Maraj) i. Coastal Management Update (Erika Zambello) III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) j. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports k. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report l. Expenditure Transaction Report m. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves n. Film Commission Update o. Visitor Center Top 10 States IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each) Mr. Greg Fisher from TripShock stated he is registered to attend the IPW Trade Show in New Orleans from June 18-22. He distributed information to the TDC regarding Int’l Pow-Wow, the U.S. Travel Association’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S, and encouraged the TDC to consider participating by sending a sales representative. V. Next TDC Meeting: April 28, 2016 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Dale Peterson) VI. Adjourn (Dale Peterson) Chairman Peterson adjourned the meeting at 4:04 PM. Tourist Development Council Page 3 March 24, 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 March 24, 2016