Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

 

Attending Board Members: Bob Schumm, David Johnston, Jane Pennington, Stephen Horton, Tim Van Leer, Jeanie Hetrick, Doug Holiday & Constance Wolfe

 

City Liaison: Megan Gilliland

 

Attending Staff: Judy Billings, Susan Henderson, Anne Dillon, Ashlee Roll-Gregory, Debbie White & Bob Sanner

 

Not attending: Paul Hunt, Derek Felch & Nancy Longhurst

 

 


David Johnston called the meeting to order and Van Leer moved for approval of the minutes as presented. Pennington seconded and the motion carried.

 

Financials

Billings referred to the printed report showing a 61% increase in transient guest tax collections over last year’s number.  She noted that this high increase is due to both the 1% increase in bed tax that took effect in January 2010.  Using 5% calculations for comparison of 2010 to 2009 collections, business appears to be flat.  Billings also noted that the city’s budget for CVB activities will remain the same for 2011 as it was for 2010.

 

Old Business

Billings reported on the Carnegie Building renovation. Currently, the inside of the building is being refurbished along with the outside addition. The CVB entrance will be on the north side of the building. The CVB hopes to be in the Carnegie the first week of November. Currently, DMI is working with historians and Eisterhold Associates Inc. to develop an exhibit, focused on Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area and Lawrence history, to be installed in the assembly room on the main level.  An additional exhibit focused on the KS-NE Act, donated by the Midwest Region of the National Archives, will be installed in the SW gallery room on the main level. 

 

New Business

The CVB has several openings on the advisory board. Currently there are three at large and one hotel appointment. Sam Bhatka from the Rodeway Inn has been appointed by the City Commission to fill the spot designated for an hotelier.  Bob Schumm reported that the nominating committee met immediately prior to the board meeting.  They have agreed on three names to be submitted to the City Commission for appointment to fill the other openings. 

 

Staff Updates

 

Anne Buhler Dillon

Dillon reported that she is currently branching out from her calls solely in Topeka to include Salina and Kansas City as well.  Dillon is working with several other convention sales directors from CVB’s across the state to improve communication and knowledge about each other’s communities.  Meet Kansas was originally established for convention sales managers to work together in bringing

 

 

business to Kansas, but this group would like to revive these efforts and talk about trends in the industry and other helpful hints, and then look into seeking business as a group. 

 

Bob Sanner

Sanner reported that he continues to work on the bid package for the 2014 Special Olympics. Currently Lawrence is in competition with two other communities. The event would be over 7 to 8 days in July bringing three thousand athletes plus coaches and family to town. This could translate into between $7m and $9 million dollars in economic impact for Lawrence.

 

Sanner reported on the KCMS 150 bike ride for 2011. If awarded, the ride could possibly bring up to 1800 people to Lawrence on a non-football Saturday. If approved, the event would turn South Park into a cycling village with food, live music and camping. Sanner noted that while most of the participants are regional, they will more than likely stay overnight.

 

In addition, Sanner reported that he is currently placing the bid for the USSSA World Series for next July. The event would run July 18 – 23rd and there are 65 teams projected to attend. The event would generate 500 room nights but also require a $10K commitment from the CVB.

 

Susan Henderson
Henderson reported that while she is not placing a large amount of advertising at this time, the CVB is sharing space with University Relations for a ˝ page ad in the Kansas Getaway Guide. Henderson also noted that, while it is very rare, Lawrence instead of Kansas City was featured in 435 South Magazine, a Johnson County publication. In addition, Triathelete.com named Lawrence one of the top “Tri-towns” in the nation. The CVB helped supply photos for the story and it will run in the October printed edition of the magazine.

 

The cover of the 2011 Lawrence Visitor Guide will feature a new look for the CVB logo. In lieu of a comprehensive branding initiative and in conjunction with the move to the Carnegie building, it was decided that this was a good time to make this change.  The CVB will begin to integrate the new logo and color pallet into the website and other printed materials.

 

Debbie White
White reported on the decrease in visitor center traffic noting that the construction at north 2nd and Locust took longer than expected followed directly by the closing of the east Lawrence exit. In spite of the challenges, the visitor center is still receiving qualified visitors. White noted that guide signs are down due to construction and that is also contributing to the decreased foot traffic.

 

Meeting Adjourned

The next board meeting is scheduled for 3:30, October 19th at The Lied Center.