Town of Blowing Rock
Tourism
Development Authority
Minutes –
December 6, 2005
Chairperson Bernie Keele was absent.
Call to Order
Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton called the meeting to order and welcomed the members and guests. He advised that Chairperson Keele was out of the town.
Approval of Minutes – November 1, 2005
Vice-Chairperson
Tarbutton entertained the approval of the November 1, 2005 meeting minutes (including the November 1, 2005
closed session). Motion by Member Tester and
seconded by Member Pickett to approve the November 1, 2005 meeting minutes (including the November 1, 2005
closed session). Unanimously approved.
Report - Advertising/Marketing/Web site
Vice-Chair Tarbutton stated
the next item was an update on various projects of the
Advertising/Marketing/Web Site Committee.
Advertising Plan
Member Drury updated the
Authority on the TDA Advertising Schedule and reviewed several recent ad pieces
with the TDA. She stated that upcoming advertisement included focus on Choose
& Cut Trees, High Country Skiing and 2006 Winterfest.
WC&T Agency Update
Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton
introduced Dave Tomsky, Director of Public Relations with Wilson, Coman &
Taylor, to update the Authority on his efforts for the Authority.
Mr. Tomsky advised he had
mailed out over 50 Blowing Rock press kits to tourism media outlets and had
received very positive responses. He stated that he had been contacted by
writers from Tampa Bay Magazine and Women’s Day, and from travel writers in
He concluded his report by
stating that he was excited about the responses thus far.
TDA/Town Calendar
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
announced that the 2006 TDA/Town Calendar was now ready for distribution.
Ex-officio Member Hildebran stated that the 2006 Calendar focused on
tourism-related venues this year and also included a listing of all Blowing
Rock accommodations.
Members agreed to distribute
the calendars upon request at both Town Hall and the
Video
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
introduced Tom Santay to review a draft copy of the 15-minute TDA tourism video
(offered by the Village Inns and Chetola Resort). At this time, Mr. Santay
provided opening remarks and requested Authority feedback after viewing the
first cut of “Where the Wind Takes You” video. The Authority viewed the video.
Upon conclusion of viewing
the video, Donna Summers, of the Hemlock Inn, asked why certain hotels were
shown in the video and others were not. Mr. Santay responded that due to the
number of hotels in Blowing Rock that including all in the video would be
difficult due to time constraints. He stated that those hotels included had a
cinematic appeal – attractive signages & entrances, landscaping, etc.
Member Drury stated lodging,
retail and restaurant establishments would all desire to be included in the
video and that the TDA would need to develop a policy on what is included in
the video. She also suggested including skiing and holiday activities in the video.
Member Tester asked the
Authority the intention of the video. Vice-Chair Tarbutton responded for
Member Tester suggested
indexing the video and additional lodging, retail and restaurant establishments
could be included in such a format and edited on an ongoing basis. He also
mentioned use by individual hoteliers and suggested including the new
Chamber of Commerce
President Pam Vines mentioned adding the Stage Company to the video.
Dick Gooseman, of the
Meadowbrook Inn, suggested changing the opening to what brings you to Blowing
Rock.
Member Tester stated that
Trade Shows may require more detailed information in the video. Mr. Santay
suggested that targeted marketing might be a use for the video as well.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
recommended sending the video to the Marketing Committee for suggestions on the
overall use of the video and website/internet usage. Member Picket concurred
with the recommendation.
Mr. Santay stated that he
would like to meet with the committee to review the video and discuss
additional video ideas , such as video billboards, etc.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton stated
that an index approach would also allow opportunities for more individualized
videos. He suggested that that the merchants could pay for these detailed
marketing opportunities, with the TDA focus on a general approach.
After a brief discussion, a
meeting of the Marketing Committee to review the video and provide guidance to
the Authority on the video was scheduled for Wednesday, December 21st
at 10:00 a.m. at the
The Authority thanked Mr.
Santay for his efforts.
Marketing Special
Mr. Gooseman suggested that
the Authority work to establish hotel marketing specials, such as buy 5 room
nights and get one free. Jim Smith stated that buy two room nights and get one
free might be preferrable. Vice-Chair Tarbutton referred the item to the
Monthly Hotel Meeting for further discussion.
Report -
Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton
requested an update on the TV/Monitor acquisition for the
TV/Monitor
Ex-officio Member Pierce
stated that she had discussed various options for the TV/monitor with
Appalachian TV Service. The television would allow guests to view a Blowing
Rock tourism video or the weather channel. Additional research is being
acquired at this time.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
suggested that staff contact Audiovision for consultation as well.
Master Signage Plan
Ex-officio Member Hildebran
stated that the Phase II signage plan (new directional and downtown welcome
signage) for the Town of
Jim Smith, of Village Inns, inquired about the additional signage phases.
Mr. Hildebran responded that future phases will include downtown traffic signage - including parking signage, regulatory sign consistency, informational kiosks, public non-profit message sign, and town property signage. Staff will begin discussions with Southwood Corporation about the next phase and funding considerations.
Discussion of
Ex-officio Member Hildebran stated that the Watauga County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing on the proposed county occupancy tax on November 15, 2005 and plan implementation of the tax on July 1, 2006. He advised that dialogue would continue with the county in regard to the feasibility of out-of-town Blowing Rock area hoteliers be included in Blowing Rock tourism.
Finance Officer Margaret Pierce then reviewed the monthly financial statement and the FY 2005-06 Occupancy Tax collections year-to-date through October 2005. She stated that October revenues, totaling a gross of $101,704.60, were up compared to October 2004. Overall, monthly occupancy tax revenues have been up since May 2005.
Ms. Pierce also advised that expenditures for the year were in line with projections.
Report – Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton welcomed Chamber of Commerce President Pam Vines to provide an update on Chamber of Commerce activities. She requested that Chamber Executive Director Charles Hardin provide an update.
Mr. Hardin stated that the Chamber had a very successful Christmas Parade and was continuing work on the 2006 Blue Ridge Wine Festival. At present, 10 restaurants have agreed to participate with the wine/dine event and 17 wineries have confirmed for the wine tasting event. And, a packaging meeting will be held in the near future.
He also mentioned the upcoming Gallery Stroll to be held on December 13, 2005 and the 2006 Winterfest website was now operational.
Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton thanked Mr. Hardin for his report.
Report - TDA
Executive Director
Vice-Chair Tarbutton stated the
next item on the agenda was a report from the TDA Executive Director. Interim
Executive Director Galvin provided a TDA Executive Director Monthly Report for
Board review (Attachment #1).
Ms. Galvin discussed the daily
and monthly
She advised that the
Vice-Chair Tarbutton stated that the website committee was proceeding with implementation of the TDA/Chamber of Commerce joint website. A final target date for the website conversion will be determined once the contract is executed with Consultant Heidi Lusk in the near future.
Old Business
Vice-Chair Tarbutton brought to the attention of the Authority that the TDA had been invoiced for baskets received last year for a promotional activity. He stated that the Authority had assumed that the baskets were being donated after several attempts were made requesting an invoice for the baskets were made. Member Tester suggested that Finance Officer Pierce pay the invoice of $1,038.00 and that the Authority consider a budget amendment for the payment at a future meeting. The Authority agreed by consensus to follow the suggestion.
Ex-officio Member Hildebran
provided an update on the U.S. 321 Improvement Project. He advised that the
6.57-mile road widening project from
Other
Chamber of Commerce President
Vines asked that the Authority to consider closing the ditch located adjacent
to the
Member Drury informed the Authority that Appalachian State University had delayed the Winter Commencement until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2005 due to the ASU Football participating in the NCAA II-A Semifinals at Noon in Boone. She stated that all of the High Country should recognize increased tourism over the weekend.
Adjournment
With no further business, motion by Member Pickett and seconded by Member Drury to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously approved. Vice-Chairperson Tarbutton adjourned the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
______________________________
Scott E. Hildebran, Secretary
Attachments
#1 - TDA Executive
Director Monthly Report