HomeMy WebLinkAboutOut-of-State Travel - Desk-Side Briefings w-Ntl PublicationsREQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
Recommendation
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
AUTHORIZE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR THE TOURISM &
MARKETING MANAGER TO CONDUCT DESKSIDE BRIEFINGS
WITH NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY
Thomas Soule, Tourism & Marketing Manager
May 11,2017
By Minute Motion, authorize out-of-state travel for the Tourism & Marketing
Manager to conduct desk -side meetings with national publications in New
York City, in June, 2017.
Funds are available in the FY 2016-2017 Marketing budget.
Strategic Plan Objective
This action engages Marketing Priority 4: Support the city's tourism industry through
enhancement of its marketing efforts with an allocation of additional city resources, the
development of partnerships, and coordination of existing efforts. One of the action
steps includes developing programs that enhance public relations and travel writer
outreach efforts.
Background
The City's Marketing Plan for Fiscal Year 2016/17 contained a renewed focus on public
relations, including a Media familiarization visit and a plan to work more closely with
travel/lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers. Both of these programs have been
successfully accomplished well within budget. Staff wishes to further expand the City's
PR efforts, and to this end sought the advice of the City's creative agency, H&L
Partners, with whom the City contracts for general Public Relations support, on an
effective way to maximize remaining funds to achieve this end.
H&L Partners has proposed a late spring/early summer trip to New York City to conduct
6-8 deskside briefings with journalists who write for national consumer print publications
such as Conde Nast Traveler, Good Housekeeping, Travel & Leisure, Self, Essence,
and Food Network Magazine. The goal will be to build relationships with targeted
journalists that can be leveraged for future coverage. These meetings will introduce
and/or reinforce Palm Desert as a destination that is now easier to reach from major
Staff Report
Out of State Travel, Public Relations
May 11,2017
Page 2 of 2
cities, including NYC. The 30-minute briefings will be tailored to highlight Palm Desert's
assets based on each outlet's editorial themes and reader interests.
While these meetings don't guarantee coverage, it is H&L's experience that coverage is
often a direct result of making such connections via in -person meetings. Proposed
meeting dates are June 22 and 23.
Staff requests authorization to travel out of state to conduct these meetings in New York
City.
Fiscal Analysis
The total cost of this travel will be approximately $1,000. Funds are available in the FY
2016/2017 budget in Marketing; there is no additional fiscal impact created by this
request.
Prepared by:
Department Hamad:
Thomas Soule Martin Alvarez
Tourism & Marketing Manager
Reviewed by:
Janet oore, Director of Finance
Approval:
Puri Aylaian, City Manager
Director of Economic Development