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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Marketing Committee - July 17, 2012T- /�- 8 1 03 PALM DESERT PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, July 17, 2012 — 2 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Sara O'Flynn called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Sara O'Flynn, Chair Rolf Hoehn Emily Bird-Hrivnak, Vice Chair Arlene Amick CITY COUNCIL ACTION Stephanie Loog APPROVED DENIED Theresa Maggio r RECEIVED —OTHER Jennie Rayner Tim Snyder MEETING DATE. - a - ' �� I Diane Williams AYES: Marlane Wolf NOEs:.N �� ABSENT: <LC Staff /Others Present: ABSTAIN: Robert Spiegel, Mayor VERIFIED BY: J H Nk C Original on File with City Clerk's ffice CH arni , ouncilmember Donna Gomez, Tourism & Marketing Manager Martin Alvarez, Economic Development Director David Hermann, Management Analyst Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager Jane Stanley, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Donna Gomez introduced Martin Alvarez, who is the new Director of Economic Development. Since Justin McCarthy's retirement, Ms. Gomez and Ruth Ann Moore now report to Mr. Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez was familiar with several Committee members, and the rest introduced themselves. APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 19, 2012. JULY 17, 2012 Emily Bird-Hrivnak moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2012, meeting. Motion was seconded by Marlane Wolf and carried 9-0-1, with Rolf Hoehn absent. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF SPONSORSHIP OF PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM WEEK Referring to the staff report, Donna Gomez stated that the event coordinators approached the City last year for sponsorship. City Council approved a $2,500 sponsorship if the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert was open and operating during the event. Because the museum was not open at that time, the $2,500 was carried over to this year's budget. Since that time other Palm Desert entities have approached the City for funding, specifically Marrakesh Country Club, which will be strongly participating in Modernism Week. The Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert and Sandpiper development will also be participating, and additional activities may be at College of the Desert and El Paseo art galleries. Staff is recommending general sponsorship of the event at the $5,000 level. The City also hopes to provide in -kind services through the website and social media. There would be no direct benefit if the different entities are sponsored individually, whereas with a general sponsorship the City will receive several promotional benefits. Emily Bird-Hrivnak confirmed that the event is taking off, attracting international travelers, and is a great opportunity for the whole valley. Stephanie Loog pointed out that the last page of the sponsorship packet mentions the "town" of Palm Springs several times. She suggested that for the future they include the "Valley" as well. Sara O'Flynn thought the timing was great. Ruth Ann Moore has been working with Marrakesh Country Club for parking at The Gardens during the event. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE JULY 17, 2012 Jennie Rayner noted the report, which shows 86% of the attendees are outside valley, 43% staying in hotels, and 41 % are return visitors. Arlene Amick observed that there are some interesting ideas for lectures, receptions and displays; a nice group of events for the participants in Palm Desert. Mayor Spiegel mentioned as an aside that the wife of the developer of Marrakesh Country Club, Velma Dawson, created the "Howdy Doody" puppet. Emily Bird-Hrivnak moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend sponsorship of Palm Springs Modernism Week at the Gold Level of $5,000 and encourage Modernism Week organizers to use the City sponsorship dollars to support participating Palm Desert entities. Motion was seconded by Stephanie Loog and carried 9-0-1, with Rolf Hoehn absent. B. CONSIDERATION OF SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR MARKETING COMMITTEE Sara O'Flynn reminded the Committee that the idea of a sub -committee was addressed at the last meeting. She suggested that instead of a sub- committee it might be better to review the marketing plan from time to time. Ms. Gomez went on the say that she could show any changes to the website by pulling it up on the TV screen. Ms. Loog suggested a brief overview quarterly. Marlane Wolf moved, by Minute Motion, to cancel the regularly scheduled August 21, 2012, Marketing Committee meeting. Motion was seconded by Emily Bird-Hrivnak and carried 9-0-1, with Rolf Hoehn absent. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS Mayor Spiegel announced that this summer Highway 111 will be completely re -paved through the City. t APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair JULY 17, 2012 Sara O'Flynn conveyed that The Gardens' new owner, Taubman, is supportive of The Gardens' partnering with the community. She is getting ready for the spring concert series, and has noticed a lot of foot traffic. B. Committee Members Jennie Rayner reported a quiet May. Daytime attendance for the fiscal year is the highest ever. Responding to Mayor Spiegel's remarks, she announced that The Living Desert will have an animatronics dinosaur attraction next year. Other zoos that have had such an attraction have dramatically increased their attendance. The Mayor said he would like to see one of the dinosaurs at The Gardens to draw attention to the attraction. Marlane Wolf is working on a marketing plan for a not -for -profit to benefit veterans. Tim Snyder reported sales are up from last year. His chef, Hector Ramirez, will be representing the entire company at the Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival because of his presence at the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival. Arlene Amick stated that the reciprocal membership with The Living Desert is working well. New membership has slowed and there will be a membership drive in November. Diane Williams conveyed that the market is changing, inventory is limited and multiple offers are being given. She added that the 4t" of July fireworks were wonderful. Emily Bird-Hrivnak pointed out that a lot is happening at the Marriott Desert Springs. The Fisherman's Landing restaurant opened last week. The Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge outdoor patio is under construction. The Marriott is offering a $69 rate through the end of September for locals only. Theresa Maggio explained the recent Bighorn Ladies Home Tour. She said it is the women's favorite event and was widely received. Bighorn had partnerships with over 45 retailers this past season. Bighorn BAM raised $1 M in 5 months and was able to present Eisenhower Medical Center with a $750,000 check. The Miracle on El Paseo is scheduled for November 17, 2012. The 22"d home this season was just sold. 4 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE JULY 17, 2012 C. Staff Donna Gomez passed around a thank -you letter received from Restaurant Week President Tony Marchese and Executive Director Kim Crandal, listing key accomplishments and proclaiming the event a "tremendous success." Next year's Restaurant Week will be May 31 — June 9, 2013. Sponsorship would typically be included in the annual budget. Tim Snyder added that Ruth's Chris had considered not participating in Restaurant Week, but did, and it was hugely successful; so much so that they will be participating again next year. On July 12t", Council approved the Marketing Committee recommendation for the digital marketing contract with Off Madison Ave. At her request, OMA will be providing a monthly one -page summary report. Ms. Gomez distributed the summary report for June 2012. Ms. Gomez will be developing a media plan for digital marketing and will be bringing it to the Committee in September. Also distributed to the Committee was a printout of the monthly e- newsletter, which came out today, and the Visitor Center ad in the Desert Guide. On July 12t", Council also approved the implementation of Landmark's Visitor Center retail and merchandising recommendations and authorization for staff to proceed with obtaining bids for retail displays. The "Feel the Warmth" campaign will be incorporated at the Visitor Center. Also on July 12t", Council approved $75,000 per year for 3 years' sponsorship of Fashion Week, and $10,000 in -kind City services and fees. Upon question, Ruth Ann Moore stated that there isn't a sponsor yet for 2013 Fashion Week and she reiterated that the location will be the same. Ms. Moore reported that Council approved contracts for new courtesy carts on El Paseo, with one being ADA compliant. The current carts ran for 7 years and had so many miles the odometer didn't register any longer. In an effort to reduce costs, next season two carts will run one less hour per day, from November 9 to Mother's Day weekend. As far as the Economic Development Strategic Plan, Ms. Moore said all groups have been met with and a draft has been reviewed by staff. There will not be any radical changes, "just making the existing wheel better." 5 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE JULY 17, 2012 Wolfgang Puck restaurant is under construction, and the Tilted Kilt will re- open under new ownership. The Best Buy building at Town Center Way will be renovated and expanded. XI. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Visitor Center Report Ms. Gomez stated that the visitor numbers finished the year even with last year, and down in sales. XII. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 2:52 p.m. JarJ6 Stanley, Record in ecretary