Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Attending Board Members: David Johnston, Michael Moore, Doug Holiday, Brad Kemp, Kate Kelly, Derek Felch, Constance Wolfe and Bob Schumm

City Liaison: Lisa Patterson

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

Not attending: Karen Christilles,

Derek Felch, who moved approval of the minutes as presented, called the meeting to order. With a second by Kelly, the motion carried.

Financials

Billings reported that first quarter numbers are up 17.4% over last year. The amount is the most that the CVB has ever collected in the first quarter. Billings noted however, that the number could include delinquent transient guest tax payments and that there is no way to know for sure if the numbers reflect actual business for the first quarter. Billings also noted that the profit/loss statement sheet provided by Longhurst includes a payable of $20,000 for a cooperative television ad with the state tourism office. This will be paid when there is enough cash in the account.

New Business

Greg Thomas, Chair of the KU Department of Design made a presentation regarding the benefits of identity and branding for a city. The presentation had already been made to the Downtown Lawrence Board and is intended to give each board an idea of “Branding 101.”

The presentation consisted of Thomas’ background and examples of his previous branding ventures in other cities. Johnston noted that there should be stakeholders in the branding and should be included in the process if the CVB were to take it on. A list of possible stakeholders was made and consisted of: Downtown Lawrence, Inc., University of Kansas, City of Lawrence, Chamber of Commerce, Haskell University, Douglas County, Lawrence School District, Neighborhood Associations, Development Community, Public at Large, Merchants and Realtors. The board agreed that the branding process should consist of more than just signage and be a community building process.

The board concluded that the next step in the possible branding process was to build partners and to find out what the audit would cost before preceding further.

Meeting Adjourned

Next Meeting scheduled for 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 27 at the CVB offices, 947 New Hampshire St., Ste. 200C