The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMarkt Cmte - 07/15/08 ['`�►LM C}ES E RT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINTUES Tuesday, July 15, 2008 —2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Sara O'Flynn called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: CITX CaUNCZL ACTIOIv: APPRpV�D . DENIED Melissa Allensworth RECBTVE� � � � OT�i�R � Emily Bird-Hrivnak, Vice Chair Sara O'Flynn, Chair T�1�3�37'�1v� D�,�tE ! �� -� -C� Theresa Maggio �`�� r �/' ' ; - Lee Morcus N�BS: � Michael Shimer `��'� � � � Brent Wise ��TAIN: r �>,��, VERIFIED BY;___�)�j�t Orig:tna.l on Fi.le with ity Clerk' s �ffice Staff/Others Present: Dick Kelly, Councilman Bob Spiegel, Councilman Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager David Hermann, Management Analyst Michael Shepherd, Full Gallop Marketing Michael Osgood, Desert Willow Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 17, 2008. Lee Morcus moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2008, meeting. Motion was seconded by Theresa Maggio and carried 7-0. PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 15, 2008 V. NEW BUSINESS A LOS ANGELES RADIO PROMOTION KRISTY KNEIDING gave a synopsis of the Los Angeles Radio Promotion report. The radio promotion was a first for the City of Palm Desert outside of its market area in that medium. She was pleased with the overall results and felt it was a great experiment. Upon question by Councilman Spiegel, Ms. Kneiding responded that she would not rule out radio advertising in the future. Ms. Maggio moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the Los Angeles Radio Promotion report. Motion was seconded by Michael Shimer and carried 7-0. B. PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITY REPORT Ms. Kneiding reviewed the Public Relations Activity report from the Nancy J. Friedman Agency. One major highlight from the report was a segment on Marriott Desert Springs, which aired on Good Morning America. EMILY BIRD-HRVINAK reported that Good Morning America visited the Marriott on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday wherein they visited the spa, fitness center, and restaurants. The storyline was healthy bachelorette parties. The segment aired on Sunday, June 22, 2008, and ran 3 '/2 minutes. The City of Palm Desert and the Marriott were pleased with the publicity and felt it was a great overall piece for the area. Upon question by Councilman Spiegel, Ms. Bird-Hrivnak responded that the show generated a couple of inquiries. Typically, this type of story was more about the media exposure for the hotel and spa. Three to four follow up stories were received from the package including one on Los Angles Times.com. Ms. Kneiding added that the Nancy J. Friedman Agency was doing a great job and was pitching the City's energy program as well. Mr. Morcus moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the Public Relations Activity report. Motion was seconded by Ms. Maggio and carried 7-0. C. PALM DESERT RESTAURANT WEEK TIM SNYDER, General Manager of Ruth's Chris Steak House, gave a presentation on Palm Desert Restaurant Week. Sponsorship funding was being requested from the City in the amount of $30,000 with a portion of the proceeds going to the College of the Desert's Culinary Arts Program. 2 PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 15, 2008 Restaurant Week was scheduled for October 27 - November 2, 2008. This was one week before the Art of Food & Wine, which allowed for additional promotion of that event. Upon question by Councilman Kelly, Mr. Snyder responded that he believed the City of Palm Desert should have a restaurant association. He felt that a valley-wide chapter would be more beneficial for all valley restaurants. Mr. Shimer said there was a restaurant association in Palm Desert for about three years; however, there were not a large number of participants. Mr. Snyder raised $10,000 to date, and was awaiting commitments from a few others. A passport program was in development wherein every participating restaurant would be listed on a passport card and that card could be exchanged for information and/or discounts for the Art of Food & Wine event, as well as other giveaways. Councilmen Kelly commented that sales tax generated from the restaurants was the second largest income for the City. It would behoove the City to invest in that source through sponsorship of Restaurant Week. Upon inquiry by Ms. Kneiding, Mr. Snyder said the media exposure would be a grassroots effort; local television and newspapers. Ms. Kneiding affirmed that there were available funds in the Special Events budget. Staff believed that the $10,000 sponsorship money would help get Restaurant Week off the ground. Mr. Morcus reported that the cost of Palm Springs Restaurant Week was around $50,000. Councilman Spiegel suggested that a sub-committee be formed to help Mr. Snyder with the event. Mr. Snyder commented that his goal was get a local vendor involved and then put together a committee of restauranteurs; he definitely wanted the City involved. Mr. Shimer agreed to serve on that committee. Ms. O'Flynn requested that a survey be distributed and completed by all participating restaurants at the conclusion of Restaurant Week. She would like to see the results of that survey prior to this item coming back to the Marketing Committee next year. Ms. Maggio moved, by Minute Motion, to support sponsorship for Restaurant Week in an amount not to exceed $10,000, with the condition that the program be available to all Palm Desert restaurants. Motion seconded by Ms. O'Flynn and carried 7-0. 3 PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 15, 2008 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS A. City Council None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Ms. O'Flynn reported that an extravaganza event was held for the shops at The Gardens wherein they saw a 12% increase in the parking lot count. She announced that Louis Vuitton was opening at The Gardens, but was uncertain of the date. She announced that Tommy Bahama's was promoting "Island Time" a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with discounted drinks and bar menu items. Pacifica Restaurant was serving a wonderful wine selection at half price every night, along with a competitive bar menu. Planning is underway for a special soiree on November 14, 2008. The event will include a concert and speciat promotions for shopping throughout the day. B. Committee Members Ms. Maggio announced that BIGHORN hired a new General Manager, Steven Cenicola. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak reported that they received good response from the Los Angeles Times ads and weekday promotions were doing well. New smaller meeting spaces were being created with the closing of the SeaGrille restaurant. MELISSA ALLENSWORTH said the McCallum Theatre held its annual educational seminar for valley teachers. Subscription sales were up from last year. 4 PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 15, 2008 Mr. Morcus spoke on the economy. BRENT WISE announced that "Buckle" was opening in the mall on July 23rd. He will keep the Committee informed of further developments. C. Staff Ms. Kneiding reported that the Marketing Committee will not meet in August. The next regular scheduled meeting will be September 16, 2008. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Update on Art of Food & Wine AMY HARRIS and JASON ABRAHAMS from Kemper Sports, Inc., presented an updated report on the Art of Food & Wine Festival. Promotional cards were distributed to committee members. Ms. Harris was pleased to report that cash sponsorship was at 80% and current ticket sales were up 20% over last year. They were working on group ticket sales from corporations within 100 to 150 mile driving distance. A promotional event with the McCallum Theatre will include a concert on Saturday evening and an opportunity to purchase discount tickets for the Sunday Grand Tasting event. Ms. O'Flynn was excited about the progress made and especially with the sponsorship at 80%. Ms. Harris was confident that they would reach their sponsorship goal. Upon inquiry by Councilman Kelly, Ms. Harris responded that she anticipated doubling last year's results. A discussion ensued regarding last year's profits and the promotional event with the McCallum Theatre. 2. Visitor Information Center Activity Report — June 2008 DONNA GOMEZ stated that visitor attendance was up for the month of June. Sales were consistent with the current economy. 3. Tourism Lead Report 4th Quarter Ms. Kneiding gave an overview of the Tourism Lead Report. Better tracking was one of the initiatives being worked on by the website development firm. 5 PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 15, 2008 4. Market Segmentation Research Ms. Kneiding reported that Off Madison Ave./Mighty Interactive, will be performing market segmentation research for the City. The company will survey those people already signed up in the City's database, over the past two years. Upon comptetion of its research the Company will give the City its feedback on the City's current traditional print marketing plan as well as recommendations on an on-line media plan. The results of this research will dictate what the City's marketing website will look like. She will bring the item back to the Committee at its September meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. �� Lori �D imbish, Recording Se retary 6