HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport California Welcome Center in Banning* Continued this matter in order to refer it back to
the Marketing Committee for further consideration
MEETING DATE 10-12-06
[i] CONTINUED TO *
PASSED TO 2ND READING
CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Consideration of a request to support a California Welcome Center
in Banning.
DATE: October 12, 2006
CONTENT: Banning Chamber of Commerce Support Request Letter
September 2006 Draft Marketing Minutes
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, concur with the Marketing Committee's recommendation to
support the placement of a new California Welcome Center in Banning.
Executive Summary:
The Banning Chamber of Commerce distributed the attached letter to all area
governments, casinos, resorts, hotels, and visitor service businesses noting that
the State of California intends to authorize one new California Welcome Center in
the southern California area. The two areas being considered are Banning and
San Bernardino's Hospitality Lane.
Staff believes the Banning location would benefit Palm Desert and the Coachella
Valley, as it's closer in proximity than San Bernardino. Additionally, Banning
plans to offer a "drive -up -window" that will service those in need of directions and
information without the hassle of parking the car. According to the letter, the
Banning Chamber of Commerce has made a strong commitment to this
opportunity.
One of the primary items of consideration of the location is financial strength and
support from area locals that will benefit from the new center. The San
Bernardino Convention and Visitor's Bureau have obtained support of the
surrounding community. The Banning Chamber of Commerce is also soliciting
support for its locale.
The Marketing Committee recommended support of the Banning location;
however, the Committee did not suggest a pledge amount. Staff is
recommending support of the Banning location in the form a letter of
endorsement in addition to a pledge amount at the Council's discretion.
Submitted By:
Kristy Kneiding a Sheila R. Gilligan
Marketing Manager
Approval:
Carlos L. Orte f
City Manager
Assistant City Manag
Paul Gibson
Director of Finance
Banning Chamber
Of Commerce
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Memorandum
To: All Area Governments, Casinos, Resorts, Hotels and Visitor Service Businesses
Date: July 6, 2006
Subject: California Welcome Center
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The State of California intends to authorize one new California Welcome Center in our region `r'
of Southern California. There are two sites under consideration. San Bernardino's Hospitality Lane
and the community' of Banning. Both entities have aggressively sought this opportunity and are the
only two communities invited to submit bids to the state by August 8, 2006.
A California Welcome Center located in Banning will be an important asset for all of the
communities and visitor driven business in this area. With a major Welcome Center at the east rim of
the Coachella Valley and the north edge of the Hemet Valley, both areas will have an improved
opportunity to effectively mine the massive traffic flow on I-10. Moreno Valley will benefit from our
location just east of the I-10 and I-60 split.
In a show of community and industry cooperation, the San Bernardino Convention and
Visitor's Bureau has obtained the support the of their surrounding city governments, the County of San
Bernardino and area businesses for annual pledges in the amount of $200,000.00 to support and locate
a California Welcome Center. That achievement is sure to make a huge impression on the decision
makers in Sacramento.
Financial strength is a primary item of consideration to those who review and decide on the
applications, since there have been instances where centers were forced to close due to insufficient
capital and financial shortfalls. The closures were a serious embarrassment for the agency in charge.
In order to be successful applicants must offer proof of strong financial support as a part of their
presentation.
The Banning Chamber of Commerce has made a huge commitment to this endeavor.
We have finished the interior remodeling of an office building that has been especially designed and
created as a future California Welcome Center. There is more than the required square footage for
information and display, restroom space for high volume traffic, very spacious parking
accommodations, custom created display equipment for conventional printed materials and the latest
video and audio electronic communication devices and a unique "drive -up -window''. The center is a
integral part of an all new Chamber of Commerce office structure and thusly it will help cover much of
the Center's maintenance. custodial. utility and administrative costs.
This California Welcome Center will win the competition and become a reality for our area only if
we have the support of the local governments and visitor industry. We are asking for pledges from the
cities of $20,000. the county of $75,000. the Casinos of $30,000 and major hotels of $10,000 and
other businesses who are interested in the development of the visitor driven economic engine. These
are only guidelines, we will be grateful for any support that is received. An application presented with
full support and financial backing of the area is critical to win approval.
It is important to point out. if we are unsuccessful and the center goes to San Bernardino, the state
will not approve another center in this area for decades to come. This is our one and only chance to
have an Official California Welcome Center. Please give serious consideration to this request.
Jack Holden, Executive Director