SCT Board of Directors January 22, :30pm Sonoma County Tourism offices. Page 1

Transcription

1 Meeting Minutes Members: Joe Bartolomei, Jennifer Buffo, Dan Christensen, Jonathan Coe, Dan Evans, Lowell Johnson, Steve Jung, Michael Kennett, Rachel LeGrand, James Luchini, Tim McGregor, Dan Parks, Wendy Peterson, Gary Saperstein, David Scott, Sally Shaffer, and Pauline Wood Invitees: Public: Absent: Bill Arnone, Ken Fischang, B. Judson, & Maureen Tunheim (recording secretary), Tim Zahner, Paula Higgins, and Mark Crabb Percy Brandon, Floriann Bynum, Michelle Heston, Karissa Kruse, and Kirk Lok Meeting Call to Order Meeting commenced at 3:34pm. N/A Public Comment Statement of Abstentions Consent Agenda None None Motion: M. Kennett; S: S. Shaffer: to approve the agenda, November 21, 2013 meeting minutes and November and preliminary December financials. Ayes- 15 Nays- 0, Abstentions-0 (without W. Peterson and J. Bartolomei) N/A N/A Name None Address at which member will attend by phone Board Member Comments *T. McGregor-great out at the coast. Finishing renovation. *J. Buffo-7 new motor coaches *L. Johnson-20 new rental homes in the next 60 days. *S. Shaffer-great January. Guy Fieri had his 40 th bash at the Page 1

2 hotel. Last minute transient business. *S. Jung-Great January. 25% up over previous year. Transient and group pace looking good. *R. LeGrand-booking ahead for January and summer. Worried about drought and the impact. *G. Saperstein-Attended Aspen Gay Ski week. Hosted an event with Benziger and Imagery Wineries. Gay Star News (England) featured an article on Out in the Vineyard. *D. Parks-Upgrade to the hotel and hoping for a good year. *D. Evans-Strong year regionally with 12-18% increase in Bay Area. RIM Hospitality is the 11 th largest hotel management company in the country. *D. Scott-finished last year over previous with an outstanding year. January was soft for the 1 st 10 days but 2 nd half of the month have filled in. *J. Bartolomei-1 week away from ground braking 9 new rooms and spa. Received some awards (top 10 Hotel Room, Top 10 travel destinations RR and place to stay) and flying under Preferred Boutique flag. *J. Coe-Just got back from Chicago and Denver connection to Sonoma County conversations. Sonoma County runway complete in November Santa Rosa Chamber Gala is on 1/30 at Vintners Inn. *J. Luchini-Strong finish to 2013 with the restaurant up. Group sales are up for January. The renovation of west tower to be an event space for 75 people will start mid May. Geyser Peak property taken over by Coppola. *D. Christensen-Geyserville doing great. Restaurant is down next week for renovation and should be complete in April. Forward bookings look great. *M. Kennett-Small groups are coming back. *W. Peterson-Winter promotion for November and December. More lighting put a glow around town. Olive season is highlighting Martini Madness. SF Travel team is staying at FSMI for their annual retreat. 2 hour scavenger hunt at Sonoma Plaza. Visitors Centers meeting in February. Page 2

3 Board education Sales PR/Marketing Legal Issues o *P. Wood-busting at the seams! Sold smaller lodging units and brought in new units. Very excited about this new year. So many truly amazing people that sit around this table. Move PR/Marketing report from agenda item#11 to item#8. Mark Crabb thanked Steve Jung for hosting the Group Business Development Committee and Director of Sales meeting at his hotel. Sales key topics included: o sales focus statement o Strategic Plan major initiatives o Calendar year end numbers o Tour and travel o Destination weddings o Travel calendar emphasis T. Zahner reported for M. Heston Advertising o Annual-all year brand awareness o Harvest-winter Late October-December Sneakaway-January-early May just launched this week Coop opportunities New website-up 95% from last year and people on the website longer Visitors Guide-up 25% from last year Leisure Shows-Santa Clara and Long Beach Same Sex Campaign-pop the question in Sonoma. Partnering with SF Travel and Palm Springs to match the couple with the destination Board retreat topics-water & drought, and show value to stakeholders B. Arnone Attended the 12/10 Board of Supervisors meeting to support MPAR14 which was on consent agenda. 3 supervisors commented on hospitality. Page 3

4 Governance/HR Finance and Legal P. Wood reported for P. Brandon Board retreat agenda ideas o MPAR14 programs o Reevaluate 60/30/10 o How to market Sonoma County in its best light and be creative New HR Services RFP B. Judson reported: Preliminary December financials-policy to leave Accounts/Payable open for January to capture prior year expenses. Forecasting 6% revenues for 2013 and actual was 14% revenues Employer Performance Contribution Item was reviewed Motion: D. Parks; S: L. Johnson: accept the recommendation from Finance & Legal Committee to the Board to approve the 2% Employer Performance Contribution as presented Ayes- 15, Nays-0, Abstentions-0 (without T. McGregor and W. Peterson) Signing authority Item was reviewed Motion: D. Parks; S: M. Kennett: accept the recommendation from Finance & Legal Committee to the Board to approve the item for authorized signers for banking purposes. SCT Board of Directors designates the following people, and only these people, to be authorized signatures on its accounts listed below: Page 4

5 Authorized Signers: 1. Kenneth Fischang President/CEO 2. Dan Parks Treasurer 3. Tim McGregor Secretary 4. Dan Christensen Vice Chairman 5. Pauline Wood Chairman Accounts 1. Exchange Bank Community Checking Account # Exchange Bank Business Money Market Account # First Community Bank Business Checking Account # Wells Fargo Advisors Brokerage Account Account # Group Business Development President/CEO report Ayes- 15, Nays-0, Abstentions-0 (without T. McGregor and W. Peterson) J. Buffo reported on: 45 people attended the combined Group Business Development Committee and Director of Sales meeting at the Doubletree by Hilton. There is a follow on meeting tomorrow to review the notes to figure out what the next steps will be. Meetings will change to bi-monthly instead of quarterly. Board retreat topic-re-evaluate 60% individual, 30% meeting/group and 10% tour and travel Steve Jung is the Committee Vice Chair Sally Shaffer is a new member of the committee K. Fischang reported on: 2013 Q4 ROI report December STR report Page 5

6 Top 3 topics January Next Meeting Annual meeting on Tuesday, 2/4 at 5:00pm at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Adjourn February 19, 2014 at 3:30pm at SCT offices Meeting adjourned at 4:55pm Page 6