Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - '08 Easter Bowl Jr. Tennis Tournmnt17Z CITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY SERVICES STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Consideration of a request for funding of the 2008 Easter Bowl Junior Tennis Tournament. SUBMITTED BY: Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager DATE: October 11, 2007 CONTENT: Easter Bowl Request Packet Draft Marketing Committee Minutes September 18, 2007 Recommendation: By Minute Motion, concur with the Marketing Committee's recommendation to 1) support the 2008 Easter Bowl Tennis Tournament in the amount of $5,000; 2) appropriate said funds from the unobligated General Fund to Special Events Account #110-4416-414-3061; 3) make a finding that this event provides a financial benefit to the City of Palm Desert. Executive Summary: Seena Hamilton & Associates, organizers of the Easter Bowl Tennis Tournament has requested a $15,000 sponsorship of the event, which will be held April 6 — 13, 2008, at Rancho Las Palmas, Rancho Mirage. Last year the tournament booked a proven 480 room nights in Palm Desert including stays at the Fairfield Inn, Best Westem, and Holiday Inn Express, and event organizers estimate that another 476 rooms were booked at other Palm Desert hotels as well. Staff believes in supporting the junior tennis program, recognizes that in addition to room nights, the toumament generates sales tax through shopping and dining by its attendees, and that the toumament has a positive economic impact in the Valley. Therefore, Staff is recommending concurrence with the Marketing Committee's recommendation to support the tournament in the amount of $5,000. Staff Report Easter Bowl 2008 Sponsorship Page 2 October 11, 2007 about the event. Known as the "U.S. Open of Junior Tennis," the Easter Bowl is the most famous national junior tennis tournament, attracting the best 640 junior tennis stars and their families for a week-long tournament. Organizers estimate that the Easter Bowl has an economic impact of up to $2 million, including nearly 4,000 hotel room nights for the community. Admission to the toumament, played at various resorts in the area, is free. Held in Palm Springs for the past ten years, in 2007 the tournament moved to Rancho Las Palmas, Rancho Mirage. Previously, the tournament had been financially supported by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. Last year the City of Rancho Mirage sponsored the event in the amount of $25,000. The City of Palm Desert denied the requested sponsorship of $25,000 last year due to unproven hotel nights in the City and financially supporting an overwhelming number of other events that year. Also attached is a budget for the tournament. Of the nearly $200,000 budget, $66,000 is devoted to television production costs and $7,000 to additional marketing efforts. The remainder of the budget covers staff compensation ($22,000), overhead ($55,000), and other toumament expenses. Because the tournament is hosted in Rancho Mirage, the majority of the publicity generated will feature Rancho Mirage. However, Staff believes in supporting the junior tennis program and recognizes that it benefits the community. Therefore, Staff is recommending concurrence with the Marketing Committee's recommendation to support the toumament in the amount of $5,000. Submitted By: 627-Cfce-i4T Kristy K iding Marketing Manager Approval: Carlos L. Ortega City Manager Cppartmen Sheila R. Gillig - n Assistant City Manage Paul Gibson Director of Finance City Clerk's Office co 0