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Home My WebLink AboutMRKT CMTE - 03/18/08 � ��lYl �L��l�� PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, March 18, 2008 — 2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Sara O'Flynn called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL a Members Present: Members Absent: •� Melissa Allensworth Lee Morcus `''' � Emily Bird-Hrivnak, Vice Chair Michael Shimer o Sara O'Flynn, Chair �, � Theresa Maggio X Brent Wise �+ a� � � Staff/Others Present: '�' � Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem H �x �'' a �, Richard Kelly, Councilmember z x � c� Sheila Gilligan, ACM, Community Services q p ` Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager z U '".{..� Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager � � `�`� David Hermann, Management Analyst v ► � � Piper Close, Full Gallop Marketing ,� � r-+ Michael Osgood, Desert Willow w Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary v _ � � � � �,; � z ��, � \�; �a o III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS o w �w c� �� •. z w ro G �J' v�' �-.�+-I E-� H H � None �+ a�'� � E, c� v� wHH •b� Ha � �4p�7t� vac� rz •� N. CONSENT CALENDAR V�� O A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2008. Chair O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2008, meeting. Motion was seconded by Emily Bird-Hrivnak and carried 5-0. APPROVED MINTUES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2008 V. NEW BUSINESS A. PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITY REPORT Kristy Kneiding announced that she and Ms. Bird-Hrivnak would be attending a Los Angeles Media Tour with the Nancy Friedman Agency on April 1 and 2, 2008. The tour would cover a variety of inedia in the Los Angeles area with the goal of generating interest in the Palm Desert destination. She stated that the Public Relations Activity Report by the Nancy Friedman Agency provided highlights of the activities undertaken and results achieved during the months of January and February. She also distributed copies of publicity clips to the Committee. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak felt that the Los Angeles Media Tour would assist with obtaining regional exposure. Theresa Maggio was very impressed with the results and efforts of the Nancy Friedman Agency. Theresa Maggio moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the Public Relations Activity Report. Motion was seconded by Chair O'Flynn and carried 5-0. B. KCET CINEMA SERIES — CONSIDERATION OF SPONSORSHIP Ms. Kneiding introduced Debbi Hinton General Manager of KCET Desert Cities. Ms. Kneiding stated that KCET has been a great partner to the City and was very involved with the Art of Food & Wine event and many other City events over the years. Ms. Hinton brought a proposal to the City regarding sponsorship of KCET Cinema Series in the amount of $25,000. KCET's Cinema Series in Los Angeles has been running for 14 years and was very successful. The proposed Cinema Series would feature premier movies, prior to release, and a question and answer segment with the producer/director/actor(s) of the films. KCET contacted the Palme D'Or Theatre owners to request their participation and they were pleased to offer KCET its largest theatre for the series. Ms. Kneiding felt this would be another dimension of the cultural offerings that Palm Desert was currently engaged in for its residents and the Coachella Valley. Staff believed that the promotional efforts tied into the sponsorship package made the proposal worthy of pursuing. Upon question by Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, Debbi Hinton stated that they were looking at early September for the first run of the series. The series would be 8 weeks, either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, though the final schedule had not been set. Ms. Hinton stated that they started with one series in Los Angeles and now run three different series at two theatres. One was held at the Academy of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood and sells out each year. The other series is held in Santa Monica during the summer. A ticket price for the Palm Desert Cinema Series has not been set; however, the price will not be extravagant. 2 APPROVED MINTUES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2008 Upon question by Chair O'Flynn, Ms. Hinton responded that they have had a variety of sponsors over the years, but never the City of Los Angeles. The Cinema Series would be advertised on KCET, which covers 11 counties in Southern California. In addition, the series also would be promoted on the KCET Desert Cities Channel. The City would be included in all Cinema Series promotional materials distributed to the KCET membership. The City of Palm Desert would be the premier sponsor, although KCET will look into securing smaller donors for the series. Ideally they would like to be able to have two series; early summer and early fall. Upon question by Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, Ms. Hinton said that the City could certainly advertise the Cinema Series in its monthly newsletter. KCET would also offer the City additional promotional opportunities on Channel 8. Ms. Kneiding stated that the Cinema Series would be funded from the Special Events budget. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak thought this was a great opportunity for the City, its residents, and regional visitors as well. She added that Marriott Desert Springs would promote the Cinema Series on its Calendar of Events website. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak moved, by Minute Motion, to approve sponsorship of KCET Desert Cities Cinema Series in the amount of $25,000. Motion was seconded by Chair O'Flynn and carried 5-0. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON MARKETING/ADVERTISING PROGRAM AND RELATED CONTRACTS Ms. Kneiding stated that she needed additional information before completing the report. Therefore, staff was requesting a continuance until the April meeting. Chair O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to continue the Update on Marketing/ Advertising Program and Related Contracts to the meeting of April 22, 2008. Motion was seconded by Brent Wise and carried 5-0. VII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS A. City Council Councilmember Kelly reported that staff put together a wonderful signage program for the City. It as approved at its March meeting. He commended staff on all they did to bring this project together. Ms. Kneiding stated that the timeline for installation was uncertain. Ms. Gomez said the new signs were attractive and aesthetically pleasing to the environment, and would definitely help with directing visitors to all destinations within the City. 3 APPROVED MINTUES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2008 VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Chair O'Flynn was pleased with the City Council approval of the expansion at The Gardens. The buildings will be demolished early fall and the completion date would be fall 2009. She said the architecture would be open and beautiful. Fashion Week begins April 24'h and she encouraged the Committee to visit the website for Fashion Week and The Gardens on EI Paseo for all pertinent information. The Saturday Gardens concert series was continuing to do well. B. Committee Members Brent Wise commented that discussions were continuing regarding Westfield Palm Desert. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak said they were preparing for Easter weekend and the Marriott was at full capacity for the next couple of weeks. Ms. Maggio reported that Bighorn has sold 28 properties since January 1, 2008. She also shared that the Riverside County Rideshare Program visited Bighorn last week. Bighorn had 98 employees who were part of a three-month rideshare program. Riverside County gave the employees $10,000 in gift certificates and Bighorn celebrated its employees by putting together a big "fish fry" that was well attended and well publicized. Mr. Kelly commented that it was a super event. Melissa Allensworth reported that the McCallum's 2008/09 season tickets will go on sale April 7, 2008, at 9 a.m. She said many exciting things were happening at the McCallum, but could not share any news at this time. However, the goal of the McCallum was to continue to grow with the community. Mike Osgood stated that Desert Willow was very busy and all numbers were up for the season, including golf rounds and breakfast and lunch reservations. Desert Willow has found its niche and was maintaining the quality golf experience at a resort facility. With the creativity of Desert Willow's Merchandise Manager, sales at the pro shop were doing well. The pro shop was currently having a "March Madness" sale; sink a basket, get a discount. C. Staff Ms. Kneiding announced that the CVA hosted approximately 45 Italian Tour Operators. They were touring Phoenix, Scottsdale, Northern California and the Coachella Valley. A mini Table Top Trade Show was held in La Quinta wherein information about Palm Desert was distributed to the tour operators. They attended the Pacific Life Open and then shopped along EI Paseo. An e-mail received by the CVA from the tour operators noted that they loved the Coachella Valley and that our destination offered them the most information with the most 4 APPROVED MINTUES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE MARCH 18, 2008 personal contact. They felt that this destination really cared about their being here and wanted their business. Ms. Kneiding was pleased with the results of the CVA efforts. Sheila Gilligan stated that Ms. Kneiding has spent a good deal of time developing a positive partnership with the CVA. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel sits on the Board of the CVA. The City has seen good strong results as being a part of that partnership. Chair O'Flynn commented that she makes it a point to read the weekly e-mails she receives from the CVA so as to not miss any information. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Art of Food & Wine Video The Committee viewed the 2007 Art of Food &Wine video. 2. Advertising Schedule and Ads Ms. Kneiding included the covers of the publications along with the ads associated for each. 3. April Meeting Date Ms. Kneiding reported that she was going to be attending an E-marketing conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. She asked the Committee its availability for the following Tuesday, April 22"d. It was determined that there would be a quorum and the April meeting would be continued to the 22"d 4. Visitor Information Center Activity Report— February 2008 Upon question by Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, Ms. Gomez explained why sales in February 2008 were lower than last year at this same time. She added that the customer count was up from last year. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. The next regular meeting will be adjourned to April 22, 2008. ! � . �� Lori i bish, Recording Secretary 5