Town of Blowing Rock
Tourism
Development Authority
Minutes – July
3, 2007
Call to Order
Chairperson Keele called the meeting to order and welcomed the members.
Approval of Minutes – June 5 and 27, 2007
Chairperson Keele
entertained the approval of the June 5 and 27, 2007 meeting minutes. Motion by Member Tester and
seconded by Vice-Chair Tarbutton to approve the June 5 and 27, 2007 meeting minutes with the correction of the June 5
minutes adding “Executive Director Brown” in lieu of “Executive Brown”.
Unanimously approved.
Chairperson Keele introduced Ex-officio member Margaret Pierce to review the FY 2006-07 budget to date.
Ms. Pierce then reviewed the monthly financial statement and the FY 2006-07 Occupancy Tax collections year-to-date through May 2007. She stated that May revenues, totaling a gross of $56,637.83, were up compared to May 2006. Ms. Pierce also advised that revenue and expenditures for the year were in line with projections.
Member Tester asked for clarification on line-item expenses related to lease payments and website. Ms. Pierce responded that lease payment line-item expense was under-budgeted but was covered at the departmental level. She also advised that the website line-item expense included funds designated for fund balance that were approved at the last TDA meeting and would not be expended
Operations Activity Report
The Authority briefly
reviewed the Operations Activity Report on Visitor Center activities - web site
usage, telephone and email requests, walk-in traffic, etc. (Attachment #1).
Executive Director Brown
discussed –
·
·
the success of the TDA Google/Yahoo buy in increasing website hits.
·
56% of days in June 2007 experienced rain or rain threatening
conditions.
·
Blowing Rock named mountain destination finalist by Southern Living Magazine.
·
Blowing Rock article to appear in upcoming Southern Living Magazine issue.
·
Upcoming website upgrades to include new photos, online press kit and
streaming video.
·
2007-08 Media/Marketing Plan are in place.
·
Entertained international travel writers last week.
WC&T Update
·
Dave Tomsky advised he had spent time in Blowing Rock on two occasions
since the last quarterly TDA meeting.
·
Two press releases have been prepared – long weekend release &
artist release (Gaines Kiker, Kevin Beck, and Bolick Pottery).
·
Travel Writer Jane Garvey provided some feedback regarding judging
process at Wine Festival.
·
Travel Writer Constance Richards article on Blowing Rock appears in
·
International Food Writers visit in advance of conference in
·
Blowing Rock article on “Women’s Getaway” to appear in Southern Living Magazine September
issue.
·
Utilized
The Authority thanked
Executive Director Brown and WC&T Consultant Dave Tomsky for their work on
behalf of the TDA.
Wine Festival Report
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director Charles Hardin provided a report on the 2007 Blue Ridge Wine
Festival. (Attachment #2)
He reviewed attendance,
attendee origin, occupancy rates, Wine Maker dinner totals, event weather and
budget totals with the Authority. Mr. Hardin made the following overall
remarks:
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Attendance was up 9% over last year.
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78% of attendees were from
-
Occupancy rates were mixed with some up and some down.
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The event did make money this year (a little over $8,000).
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Attendance was disappointing considering the advertising dollars
leveraged.
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Weather impacts event.
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Fire on the Rock event was a success.
-
Chamber will continue to support wine event financially and
organizationally in the future, but they plan to find or create another
organization to take on responsibility for event.
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Chamber has learned from experience and has ideals for the future to
make the event even greater.
-
Thanked the TDA for the $10,000 in advertising expenses.
Member Pickett stated that
even though some hotels had poor occupancy during the event, without the event
the numbers could have been worse. Member Drury asked Executive Director Hardin
if any group has expressed interest in the event. Mr. Hardin advised that
several groups might be interested.
Chairperson Keele asked if
the Watauga County Tourism Authority made any contribution to the event.
Executive Director Hardin responded that Watauga County TDA provided a $5,000
grant.
Pat Sumner (Cliff Dwellers
Inn) expressed two concerns regarding the Wine Festival – 1) a winner of one of
the drawings was never notified of the award, and 2) the tent for the wine
tasting was very crowded and limited sales.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
reminded the audience of the tent collapse due to high wind and that the
replacement tent was smaller. The first concern was referred to the Chamber of
Commerce for resolution.
Dave Tomsky stated that the
Wine Festival was an important event for the community and that it was
important to build momentum for such an event. He cautioned that the Chamber
should verify that if the date is changed from April until another month that
it would not conflict with other statewide wine events.
With no further comments,
Chairperson Keele thanked Mr. Hardin for his report.
Master Signage Plan Update
Ex-Officio Member Hildebran
advised that the Town had placed an order for the balance of the new regulatory
signage as well as the parking signage. He also stated that the next phase of
the Master Signage Plan would be to have information kiosks designed and
manufactured by mid-summer. Mr. Hildebran stated that three (3) kiosks would be
manufactured in the initial order – two (2) to be located downtown and one (1)
to be located at Tanger Outlet.
The Authority expressed their satisfaction with the new regulatory signage installation and the positive feedback from the community.
TDA Map
Chairperson Keele thanked
Executive Director Brown on his efforts to produce a new Visitor Map. (Attachment #3)
Member Tester asked about
the distribution method for the map. Executive Director Brown responded that
1,500 maps were initially printed and placed at hotels, Town Hall,
Member Tester requested that
the map be placed in shops throughout downtown similar to the old Merchants
Map. He also suggested that the next iteration of the map include -one side
focused on the walking shopper and the other side focused on services.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton recommended that the number of colors representing
services be minimized. Member Tester thanked Mr. Brown and stated that the
initial Visitor Map was a good start.
Member Drury suggested that
Executive Director Brown utilized a small focus group to receive feedback prior
to the next printing of the map.
Other
Chairperson
Keele requested that Executive Director Brown review his request for additional
funding of tourism projects from the TDA promotion reserve. Executive Director
Brown provided a detailed list of proposed projects/activities for funding. (Attachment #4)
The proposed list included - event support (Wine Festival and Winterfest), Arts Center Playbill advertising, Secret Shopper/Customer Service Training, Sunday Concerts in the Park, additional concerts (possibly on Fridays), and TV/Streaming Video package material. The estimated costs were $28,600.
The Authority discussed customer service training needs and stressed the importance of providing training throughout the year. Due to lack of consensus on a secret shopper program, the Authority suggested eliminating the secret shopper component and increasing the proposed funding of customer service training by $3,500 to make the allocation $5,000. The Authority suggested that training be geared to a small local retailer/restaurant to meet our downtown needs.
Items briefly discussed included the TDA advertising in the Appalachian State Summer Festival Program and the Football Program. In addition, the Authority expressed support for a TV/Streaming Video package.
Chamber of Commerce Vice President Bill Hall commented prior to his exiting the meeting that the TDA fund advertising with a rifle approach and not a shotgun approach.
After some discussion on customer service training needs, motion by Member Drury and seconded by Member Pickett to allocate $32,100 to provide additional funding to tourism projects from the TDA promotion reserve and approve the subsequent budget amendment. Unanimously approved.
Chair Keele suggested that Chamber of Commerce use available Wine Festival profits as seed money for next year’s event. He stated this recommendation was similar to the concept utilized by Winterfest. Chamber Executive Director Hardin responded that the Chamber would consider that request.
Adjournment
With no further business, motion by Member Pickett and seconded by Member Drury to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously approved. Chairperson Keele adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
______________________________
Scott E. Hildebran, Secretary
Attachments
#1 – Operations Activity Report
#2 – 2007 Blue Ridge
Wine Festival Report
#3 – TDA Visitor
Map
#4 – 2007-08 Budget
Amendment