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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARKT CMTE - 03/21/06PALM DESERT PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, March 21, 2006 — 2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Bowen called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Emily Bird-Hrivnak Norine Bowen, Chair Rick Darius Ric Mandelbaum Ray Rodriguez Michael Shimer, Vice -Chair Staff/Others Present: Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Richard Kelly, Mayor Pro Tempore Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Piper Close, Full Gallop Marketing Mike Osgood, Desert Willow Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Members Absent: Sara O'Flynn A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2006 AND FEBRUARY 21, 2006 Mr. Rodriguez moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the January 17, 2006, and the February 21, 2006, meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shimer and carried 6-0. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 21, 2006 V. NEW BUSINESS A. FISCAL YEAR 2006/07 BUDGET Ms. Kneiding gave a summary of the budget document. The News Bureau budget included housekeeping items, with a few marketing opportunities added. Ms. Close spoke to the Marketing/Advertising portion of the budget. She announced that the biggest change was additional media buys promoting the Visitor Center. Ms. Close said new wraps were being considered for the two Shopper Hoppers. The design would show more of the Visitor Center building and use the tag line "Your Trip Starts Here." The wrap would also show other places that the Shopper Hopper travels to, again trying to get the traffic directly over to the Visitor Center. Ms. Close gave Ms. Gomez information on acquiring an 1-10 billboard for the purpose of promoting the Visitor Center. Ms. Kneiding added that the acquisition of billboard signage was not in the budget. Television ads airing outside the marketing area would continue. A new radio campaign would begin this fiscal year to get traffic moving toward the Visitor Center. The City currently runs advertising on four radio stations. A discussion ensued regarding events not included in the presented budget. Ms. Kneiding stated that the Samsung World Golf Tournament was in Pat Scully's Special Events budget. She added that the Palm Springs Film Festival had not submitted a request to the City at the time the budget was prepared, so it was not included in the budget. Ms. Kneiding noted that some of the collateral materials in the budget were for the Visitor Center. While she and Ms. Gomez were meeting with the local hoteliers, they noticed that there was not a good selection of Palm Desert postcards available in those hotels. As a result, new postcards would be printed and distributed to all local hoteliers. Upon question by Councilmember Spiegel, Ms. Close inquired as to whether the park locations could be incorporated into the City map. Councilmember Spiegel thought it would be better to have a separate pocket size map of all City park locations. Ms. Kneiding noted that she spoke with Janis Steele, the Parks & Recreation Manager, about creating a separate foldout brochure with a grid showing the location of all parks and amenities such as dog parks, sports fields, and tot lots. Mr. Mandelbaum moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the 2006/07 fiscal year budget as presented. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bird-Hrivnak and carried 6-0. E PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 21, 2006 B. FULL GALLOP MARKETING CONTRACT Ms. Kneiding reviewed last year's RFP process wherein the Marketing Committee chose to contract with Piper Close of Full Gallop Marketing. The contract must be renewed each year; however, the City does not have to go out to bid for marketing services for another four years. She asked Committee members to consider approval of Ms. Close's contract for fiscal year 2006/07. It was noted that Full Gallop Marketing's retainer did not increase from last year. Mr. Rodriguez supported the renewal of Ms. Close's contract and was very pleased with her work. A discussion ensued regarding the involvement of Full Gallop Marketing with regard to the Art of Food and Wine Festival. Mr. Mandelbaum moved to, by Minute Motion, approve staff's recommendation to renew the contract with Ms. Close of Full Gallop Marketing Communications for FY 2006/07. Motion was seconded by Ms. Shimer and carried 6-0. VI. OLD BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A WEBSITE CHANGES AND UPGRADES Ms. Kneiding addressed the question by Mr. Darius regarding the ability to link directly to the McCallum Theatre website from the City of Palm Desert's website. She responded that it could be possible, and she was working towards that end. Mr. Rodriguez moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Website changes and upgrades as presented. Motion was seconded by Mr. Darius and carried 6-0. Vill. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION (S) Councilmember Spiegel announced that City Council approved a $9 million contract to Simon & Company to begin work at Freedom Park. An architect was approved to design the swimming pool at the College of the Desert. Upon question by Mr. Mandelbaum, Councilmember Spiegel responded that the building facades on the center located at Monterey and Country Club would be updated for a whole new look. Councilmember Spiegel added that Lowes would officially open on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. Upon question by Ms. Bowen, Councilmember Spiegel reiterated his comments from the February 21, 2006, Marketing Committee meeting regarding the CVA. 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 21, 2006 Mayor Pro Tempore Kelly agreed with Councilmember Spiegel with regard to keeping an open mind about the CVA and what it could do for the City. He said Palm Desert was a regional city, and it supports the Valley. A discussion ensued about creating a tag line for the City. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Ms. Bowen reported that Robinsons May was now closed and made $150,000 in sales its last Saturday of business. The building will re -open as Macys the 25th or 26t" of June. B. Committee Members Mr. Shimer reported that two stores in The Gardens broke sales records during the first day of Fashion Week El Paseo. There were 75 events on the street between Monday, March 20, and Sunday, March 26. The Chocolate Affair organizers were expecting 300 to 350 people for its event on Saturday. He said Palm Springs Life reported sales from Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis for Kevan Hall's Fashion Show on Sunday, March 26, and only 50 seats were remaining. Photos on Fashion Week El Paseo.com were being updated daily. The chef's demonstration at Tommy Bahama's was sold out today, March 21, 2006. Mr. Darius announced that the McCallum Theatre was preparing to launch its 2006/07 Season. Subscriptions go on sale April 4, 2006. Mr. Rodriguez announced that he and his business partner had plans to open a high profile, resort lifestyle type of restaurant in a building located at Cook and Country Club, currently leased by Del Rios. They contracted with one of the top restaurant designers in the country to redesign the building. He said they have a logo for the restaurant but not a name. They were very excited and would be putting in an application to host a wine dinner for the Art of Food and Wine Festival. He added that Casuelas Cafe was moving full speed ahead. Working drawings have been submitted to the City, and he hoped to break ground in May. C. Staff Ms. Kneiding reported on the Art of Food and Wine Festival. She described the events that will take place over the four days of the Festival. Ms. Gomez announced that a new signage program was planned for the Visitor Center. Installation of monument signs began on Monday, March 20. An additional monument sign would be placed at the Hwy 111 entrance. The Visitor Center would be listed at the top of all the directional signs from 1-10 and Hwy 74, with arrows and mileage. She also had firm information regarding billboard signage. 4 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 21, 2006 She said the Visitor Center was currently under code with regard to its signage, and the long-term goal was to work with Public Works to create an entire new directional signage program throughout the community. Ms. Gomez announced that the Sister Cities Committee's Annual Golf Tournament was being held at Desert Willow on April 21, 2006. Mr. Osgood reported that Desert Willow's Thursday night concert series was continuing and doing well. He added that Ginny Jensen was hired to run the banquet and catering sales at Desert Willow. She will assist with all Palm Desert functions. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Visitor Center Activity Report Ms. Gomez reported that February numbers were up over 2005, and it has been very busy. She added that the Table Top books were continuing to sell very well. XI. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Lori Mmbish, Recording Secretary 9