HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-02 MC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT
MARKETING COMMITTEE
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
TUESDAY, June 02, 2020 — 3:00 P.M.
ZOOM MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Thomas Soule called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Jeffrey Norman Bruce Nation
Ray Rodriguez Erin Scott
Franchesca Forrer (late arrival)
Rolf Hoehn (late arrival)
City of Palm Desert Staff Present:
Lauri Aylaian, City Manager
Martin Alvarez, Director, Econ. Development
Thomas Soule, Tourism and Marketing Manager, Econ. Development
Barbara Blythe, Visitor Services Manager, Econ. Development
Vanessa Mager, Special Events Manager, Econ. Development
Wayne Olson, Senior Development Analyst, Econ. Development
Deborah Schwartz Glickman, Business Advocate, Econ. Development
Also Present:
Councilmember Jan Harnik, City of Palm Desert
Mayor Gina Nestande, City of Palm Desert
Brian Simpson, Desert Willow Golf Resort
Cimin Cohen, Ideapeddler
Raghav Mehra, Ideapeddler
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Marketing Committee meeting of
January 07, 2020.
Rec: Approved
Mr. Hoehn asked for a motion to approve the Consent Item. A
motion was made by Norman and seconded by Hoehn to accept
and approve. Motion passed with a 4-0-2 vote; with Hoehn,
Forrer, Rodriguez and Norman voting in favor. None abstained,
Scott and Nation absent.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. FY 19-20 Advertising Campaign Wrap-up Report.
Rec: Receive and File.
Mr. Mehra presented a summation of the tourism advertising campaign for
FY 19/20, which was truncated due to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite its
short duration in market, the data point to a successful campaign that
performed well at every part of the customer journey from research to
booking.
FY 20-21 Strategy Presentation
Rec: Review and approve direction.
Ms. Cohen shared with the Committee an outline for moving forward with
the City's marketing plan in light of the COVID-19 crisis (attached).
Discussion ensued regarding this re -opening plan, with support expressed
by Committee members for this as a direction.
Mr. Hoehn asked for a motion to approve the direction expressed the plan.
A motion was made by Forrer and seconded by Norman to approve. Motion
passed with a 4-0-2 vote; with, Hoehn, Forrer, Norman, and Rodriguez
voting in favor. None abstained, Scott and Nation, absent.
Unite Palm Desert Presentation
Rec: Receive and discuss.
Mr. Soule reviewed with the Committee the Unite Palm Desert campaign,
which comprises the City's response to the COVID-19 crisis. Mr. Olson
offered the details of the Unite Palm Desert Economic Relief program,
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approved by Council at its prior meeting. Discussion ensued regarding
various opportunities for community participation moving forward.
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
VII. OLD BUSINESS
None
VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS
A. City Council.
Mayor Gina Nestande, City of Palm Desert — Ms. Nestande and Ms. Harnik
commented briefly on the peaceful protest that was held in Palm Desert
the day before the meeting.
IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS
Chair.
Rolf Hoehn, Indian Wells Tennis Garden — Mr. Hoehn updated the
committee members on efforts underway at the CVB to adapt to a reduced
budget. He also relayed some of the challenges faced by the Tennis
Gardens as they seek to stage an athletic event in the fall, with things very
much in the air at this point.
Committee Members.
Jeffrey Norman, McCallum Theatre — Mr. Norman recapped plans at the
McCallum to move forward with its season as planned, depending on their
ability to reopen. The McCallum's education program, in the meanwhile,
has pivoted nicely to cope with a changed environment for working with
students and teachers, both now and in the fall.
Franchesca Forrer, Westfield Palm Desert — Ms. Forrer shared that the
Mall reopened the Friday prior to the meeting. Customers enthusiastically
returned to Westfield, leading to hopes that the Mall could fully reopen by
sometime in June. The Mall's focus moving forward will be on surprising
and delighting their customers year round, not just at the holidays.
Brian Simpson, Desert Willow Golf Resort — Mr. Simpson told the
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Committee that Desert Willow reopened in late April, to a great response
by the golfers in the community. The patio is reopened as well, with a lot
of to -go orders being served by the restaurant.
Staff.
None.
X. NEXT MEETING:
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Confirm August 4, 2020
With Committee Member concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 4:42
p.m.
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