City of Lawrence

Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Kate Kelly, Derek Felch, Karen Christilles, Doug Holiday, Brad Kemp, Maria Martin, Constance Wolfe, David Longhurst, Michael Moore, Bob Schumm and Perry Martin

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

David Johnston

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Judy Billings, Bob Sanner, Debbie White and Ashlee Roll-Gregory

 

CITY LIASON PRESENT

 

Lisa Patterson

PUBLIC PRESENT:

None

 

The meeting was called to order by Maria Martin. Longhurst moved, Holiday seconded to approve the minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Perry Martin, the new General Manager from the Holiday Inn Holidome, gave an update on the renovations that have been taking place over the past few months. The Holidome has spent, about $300,000 since January on renovations to the rooms and public areas. Currently, new carpet is onsite and will be installed within the next couple of weeks. New carpet is being installed in the public corridors, lobby and meeting rooms. Renovations such as ceiling tiles and fixtures will also be ongoing. On July 16th the bar and restaurant will be closed down to begin renovations.. Hopefully by the time school starts the majority of the renovation will be done and work can begin on the outside façade. The façade will change drastically from the current brown to a stucco as well as some landscaping. The corporate headquarters for Hulsing Hotels will reside in Lawrence at the Holiday Inn Holidome.

 

Financial Report

Most notable in the accounts receivable is the Visitor Guide this is half the contracted amount for advertising in the ’06-’07 guide that has been billed out, but has not been collected yet. The accounts that were receivable for 2005 have all been collected but one. As half of the year has expenses are being kept down very well, a lot of advertising has been placed but most of the CVB’s expenses come at the end of the year. With regards to the online booking revenues, the projected revenue is higher than we can realistically expect to collect within our current system.

 

Due to the reporting of the Holiday Inn Express, we now have 68% of the rooms reporting. This enables the CVB to get a more accurate picture of the hotels than we did with just the previous 59%. Total citywide occupancy for the month of May is 53% for those hotels reporting.

 

Old Business

          i.        Visitor’s Guide production is in process and all the content is with the designers.  The cover concept is being worked on and images from attractions and events are being collected. The Visitor’s Guide is on track for production by August 15th.

 

New Business

 

i.        The Downtown Lawrence organization requested from the City Commission money to help with marketing during the waterline project and were granted $20,400 in matching funds. Merchants have been given an opportunity to buy in for the advertising.  The CVB has been involved in support of these marketing efforts.

 

ii.   There was a lively discussion about proposals for downtown that include the expansion of our library and also include meeting space.  It was decided to continue the discussion next month to focus on criteria that this board would like to see the city commission consider as they decide which of the proposals to support.  During this discussion, the hotels made the point that an increased commitment to traditional economic development is something they can support.  More basic industry will bring much needed weekday hotel business to town.

 

Staff Updates of involvement

 

Bob Sanner

Lavern sent a memo that he had written in regards to a letter he received from Marcia Goff concerning the WWII Ranger Convention and the outstanding job that Bob and the CVB did. The CVB spent about $2,000 transporting the Rangers to and from the airport. Bob himself made 22 round trips to KCI, and greatly impressed the Rangers. Sanner added that the experience of spending time with the WWII Rangers was great and very informative.  As a CVB we are always looking for ways to assist all groups coming to Lawrence.

 

In other news, Sanner mentioned in May we hosted the Collegiate Cycling event which brought over 400 cyclists from 98 Universities to Lawrence. This was an increase of about 50 cyclists from the year 2005.  The Wakarusa festival took place in Lawrence the same weekend the Rangers were here. Although there has been a lot of discussion in regards to the Wakarusa event, it generated about 1,000 rooms nights in Lawrence. Sanner said that he thinks it should be noted that the music festival contributes to the town.

 

Susan Henderson

Henderson notes that spring advertising has been placed and we are receiving leads back. She also said that the CVB is looking at several thousand leads from our advertising which will affect our advertising placement next year. The CVB is also getting ready for Fall placement and Holiday and pre-Holiday advertising for events. The KS getaway guide will be published once every two years, which makes it a bigger financial commitment, but also gives it a different shelf life than previously. The CVB is looking cooperative advertisers to both offset the costs of the advertising and to create a strong presence for Lawrence.

 

Judy Billings

Billings noted that they were pushing to get the bill on the House calendar in July. Also working on the Farm Tour for October and the Indian Arts Show for September.

 

         

Ashlee Roll-Gregory

Roll-Gregory noted that currently nearly 1,600 leads are in the process of being responded to. In addition to the 1,500 Civil War on the Western Frontier brochure, there is also a summer direct mailing piece that will be mailed out within the next couple of weeks.

 

Meeting Adjourned

 

Future Meetings

         

Tuesday July 25th -  Holiday Inn Express