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Home My WebLink AboutMarketing Cmte - 10/21/08 _ � ['RL1'�[ �}ES E RT PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, October 21, 2008 — 2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Emily Bird-Hrivnak called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: � Emily Bird-Hrivnak, Vice Chair Melissa Allensworth �� Theresa Maggio Sara O'Flynn, Chair w Michael Shimer Lee Morcus '° Brent Wise �' x � Staff/Others Present: �' �a Dick Kelly, Councilman � Bob Spiegel, Councilman W a a Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager z x U Donna Gomez, Visitor Information Center Manager A o �. �, Piper Close, Full Gallop Marketing � � -}-, Michael Shepherd, Full Gallop Marketing o _ � � Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary � c�! � � a;� � "i� III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS H _ ��q � � � "�- � � � n None � AQ n � � .. Q �, � O H H�• ..�E:-+ H H �` IV. CONSENT CALENDAR � � w '� �+ f� W E+ �;� �:/.t a:.� E+ H b-� �+ Ra C) f�:l G=7 tr� �a U7 G� -r-' -� t1� W ��1 .^* C` r�. �,? �.x7 ,k.a A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2008: � � �;�-� _� .> <r°. =�� .- Theresa Maggio moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2008, meeting. Motion was seconded by Brent Wise and carried 4-0. APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 21, 2008 V. NEW BUSINESS A RENEWAL OF THE NANCY J. FRIEDMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTRACT Kristy Kneiding gave an overview of the Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations contract. The Agency has been instrumental in soliciting and obtaining national media coverage of the City's Energy Program, as well as publicity for the City's hotels, events, and attractions. Ms. Kneiding stated that the Agency's promotional efforts have been successful and staff was recommending renewing the Agency's contract for another year. Upon question by Mayor Pro tem Spiegel, Ms. Kneiding responded that last year's contract was in the amount of $72,000. Sixty thousand of that amount was the retainer while the other dollars covered reimbursement expenses. All expenses incurred by the Agency were split equally by the Marriott Desert Springs Resort and the City. Michael Shimer moved, by Minute Motion, to approve staff recommendation of a one-year renewal of the Nancy J. Friedman PR Contract. Motion seconded by Mr. Wise and carried 4-0. B. PRESENTATION BY PAT CONLON, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT PAT CONLON gave an extensive overview of the City's Energy Plan and Financial Assistance Program. A discussion was held regarding same. Mr. Shimer moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file report given by Pat Conlon. Motion seconded by Mr. Wise and carried 4-0. C. REVISED MEDIA PLAN 2008/09 Ms. Kneiding gave an overview of the revised Media Plan. Upon question by Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, Ms. Kneiding responded that the Media Plan budget was not increased. Funds were reallocated to different areas of the budget to maximize their effectiveness. Mr. Wise moved, by Minute Motion, to approve staff recommendation of the Revised Media Plan 2008/09. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shimer and carried 4-0. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 21, 2008 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS A. City Council Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel reported on the grand opening of the Nursing Building at Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert campus. He said the facility was quite impressive and he encouraged Committee members to tour the facility. Councitman Kelly reported that Kelly's Adult/Jr. Golf Tournament raised $7,000 for the Joslyn Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Emily Bird-Hrivnak reported that Marriott employees would be participating in the renovation of two homes in Indio for National Make a Difference Day on October 25, 2008. The Marriott Desert Springs Resort was listed as contributors to the project in USA Weekender newspaper. Upon question by Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, Ms. Bird-Hrivnak responded that occupancy at the Marriott was doing well. B. Committee Members Theresa Maggio reported that 27 homes were under construction and 5 speculation homes would be unveiled in November at Bighorn. She added that website traffic was on the rise. Mr. Wise stated that WestField was hosting a trick or treat event along with a costume contest Halloween night. Fifty thousand pieces of candy will be passed out, as well as a scary haunted house for touring. Westfield will have its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the first week of November. Santa Claus will arrive shortly thereafter. 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 21, 2008 Mr. Wise reported that he was excited about the future expansion of Westfield Shoppingtown and that he would relay more information as the project progresses. Mr. Shimer announced that Tommy's was updating the restaurant`s outdoor patio area. Mr. Shimer stated that Tommy's will be participating in Palm Desert Restaurant Week beginning October 27 through November 2, 2008. On Monday, November 3, 2008, Tommy's will be hosting its 10t" Anniversary Classic Golf Tournament benefiting Habitat for Humanity. C. Staff Ms. Kneiding reported that the grand opening of the Henderson Building in conjunction with the Desert Garden Community Day on Saturday, October 11, 2008, was a nice event. Ms. Kneiding thanked the participants for volunteering their time the evening of the Taste of the Art of Food & Wine event. The event raised $1,850 for the Joslyn Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program. She reminded the Committee of the Art of Food & Wine event from November 6-9, 2008. Ms. Gomez reported that the Community Garden Day was hosted at the Visitor Center for the 3�d year. There were presentations, demonstrations, planting, activities for children and a lot of fun things happening. Five hundred and fifty people attended the event, which seems to grow each year. The event was held in conjunction with the Desert Horticultural Society and they have expressed an interest in having the event again next year. The Holiday Wreath Lighting will be held on Friday, December 5, 2008. Chris Compton will perform holiday jazz music and everyone was invited to attend. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Visitor Information Center Activity Report — September 2008 Ms. Gomez reported that customer numbers increased in September; however, sales remain slow. 4 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 21, 2008 2. Website Update Ms. Kneiding gave an update on the City's website. The subcommittee met to review design concepts and will meet again before presenting the new website design to the Committee. She was planning on having a presentation by the Committee's November meeting. 3. ATHENA Awards Luncheon — October 29, 2008 Ms. Kneiding announced that the 2008 ATHENA Award Luncheon will be held at the Desert Willow Golf Resort on October 29, 2008. This year's recipients were DoeDee Rover and Kathy Strong. Reservations could be made through the City. XI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. , , Lori imbish, Recording ecretary 5