Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

 

Attending Board Members: David Johnston, Michael Moore, Doug Holiday and Brad Kemp

 

City Liaison: Lisa Patterson

 

Attending Staff:  Judy Billings, Bob Sanner, Ashlee Roll-Gregory, Kate Eichten, Debbie White & David Longhurst

 

Not attending: Kate Kelly, Karen Christilles, Derek Felch, Constance Wolfe and Bob Schumm

 

 


The meeting was called to order by Judy Billings.  Johnson moved, Moore seconded to approve the minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Financials

Billings reported that transient guest tax collections for the first two months of 2008 are up 65.42% and that number probably reflects the November business.  Billings noted that this is early in the year and there is no guarantee that this level of increase will continue. 

 

Billings noted that the profit/loss statement sheet provided by Longhurst includes a $20,000 partnership ad with the state tourism office and other CVBs as well as some miscellaneous items since Feb. 29th.  In addition, Billings noted that she had just signed the paper work for the CVB retirement plan, so there will be “catch up” in the budget in order to invest employee benefits since January 1, 2008.  However, this was expected and the plan is the same as the one previously held at the Chamber of Commerce. Billings and Longhurst also noted that the budget is still a work in progress.

 

Staff Updates

 

Bob Sanner

Sanner reported that he is continuing work on the Ironman event on June 13th. Sanner reported that after meeting with DLI he was encouraged to schedule the Live Expo and entertainment earlier in the day. Currently, the event has 1,200 athletes registered from 39 different states and the event will be capped at 1,400 so it will be a “sell out.” Sanner noted that he has met with Fire and EMT personnel to hopefully finalize and sign off on a plan so that he can move forward.

 

There will be no food vendors for the Lawrence Live event. Sanner noted that he will be working with the “Lawrence Originals” and will be sending out E-blasts before the event to athletes to encourage specific menus or advance reservations with the restaurants involved. Sanner reported that the entertainment for the Lawrence Live event hasn’t been decided, but he is working with Brett Mosiman and Pipeline Productions.

 

Sanner also noted that on Saturday, vendors will be at the same location for the Rock Chalk Run. They are projecting 600 participants for the run, which will wrap up by 9:30 a.m. The rest of the event will take place on Sunday at Clinton Lake. Sanner reported that Ironman has committed to two more years.

 

Susan Henderson

Billings reported on Henderson’s behalf that she is currently working on the Lawrence Chautauqua, which is June 18-2, 2008. She is also helping Debbie White with Civil War on the Western Frontier, since the CVB has taken the event over from Watkins Museum this year.

 

Henderson has been working on a new format for the upcoming Lawrence Visitors Guide. Billings noted that they have been watching the actions of the Asheville, NC CVB and their Visitor Guide and website closely for several years. The Asheville Visitor Guide has a fixed advertisement layout and a cleaner look to it. Unless an advertiser buys a whole or ½ page, the ads will be formulated in an attempt to streamline the ad process and administrative work. The CVB is also looking at several cover options, page counts and paper types that will save money during printing.

 

KTI Update

Sub. SB 501 was passed by the Senate. The bill is currently in the House committee on Economic Development and Tourism and it will be a push to have it passed out of committee and onto a House vote before the upcoming recess. The bill has a lot of grassroots support, and there were 12 people who provided oral testimony in support of the legislation and dozens more who provided written testimony in support.

 

Kate Eichten

Eichten reported that she had a site visit from Leah, the coordinator from the Harley Owners Group, Eichten is currently putting together tours for riders for the 2009 event. Eichten also noted that she is in the bid process for the Chiefs of Police convention, which would be in Lawrence 9/21 – 9/24 this year with 100-125 plus families. Eichten is also working on spouse tours for the Chiefs of Police. Eichten also noted that the Outdoor Writers Association will be in Lawrence on May 4 -6 and will bring outdoor newspaper writers from all over the state. Eichten is also working on spouse tours for the Knights of Columbus event in ‘09.

 

FFNHA

Billings reported that she and Debbie White attended the National Park Service Midwest Region National Heritage Areas meeting in Omaha. The meeting served to help National Heritage representatives work more closely with the Park Service and to understand the paperwork necessary to receive federal funds.

 

In addition, Billings reported that FFNHA is working on the visioning and mission statement as well as continued work on the management plan, and by this time next year, the plan should be ready to be approved by the National Parks Service and Secretary of Interior.

 

Meeting Adjourned

Next Meeting scheduled for 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 22 at Biggs Barbecue, 2429 S Iowa St.