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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVPCMinutes_2008_02_14Promotions Committee Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2008 Chamber Office Present: Victoria Blatchford, Sam Nelson, Chris Duagaard, Bob Johnson, Zeno Wicks III, Tom Jones, Tom Richter, Al Heuton, Bridgit Burghardt, Amy Einspahr, Jeff Weldon. Absent: Jerry Miller, Rod Schaefer, Lynn Darnall, Deb Garbers • Blatchford called the meeting to order and called for any agenda changes. Blatchford spoke from a financial standpoint, with the amounts committed in Dec and Jan. meetings; we have approximately 102,000 for the rest of the year. This is something to keep in mind as we make decisions today. Through the planning session, we have not gotten to the promotional plan; we are going to set aside a dollar amount for the promotional plan. Per the Resolution, part of our job is to have a promotional plan in place. As of now, we plan to keep with the Imagine theme we are currently running. Question into how much we currently spend on our promotional plan? Burghardt answered about $36,000. Doris Roden-Doors Open-April 25-26, 2008-Request: $4,000 Wicks suggested a report as to what businesses owners thought about the events. This year, they will track attendance using a clicker at the door; this will give a better idea of attendance. Question whether or not this event will ever be self sufficient? Roden answered not at this point. Most of the major businesses participate. Johnson questioned the amount sponsored by businesses? Roden answered this is not a retail event. This is a community event, and does not serve just the downtown, businesses do contribute. Nelson motioned $2,000 out of event funds. Einspahr seconded. Wicks expressed that the committee should concentrate spending money on things that make money. Look at return on investment. Motion carries with Wicks and Daugaard voting no. • Attendance:1000/day=2000 total • Out of town: 50%-1000 (local 1000) • 1st person lodging: 9x$104=$936x2 nights=$1,872 • 2nd person lodging: 9x$40=$360x2nights=$720 • Commuters: 482x$40=$19280x2nights=$38,560 • $1872+720+38,560=$41,152x1.8=$74,073.60 est. impact Doris Roden-Harvest Festival-September 13, 2008-Request: $4000 Question into financial participation from downtown? Roden explained this is not a retail event, it is a community event. Question into the status of sponsorships? The numbers are from 2007, have not started soliciting sponsors for this event yet. Blatchford questioned how they will use the billboards and television commercial to promote the event? Roden responded the commercial will be tagged with the information about the event. No plans to change the billboard. Question into attendance? Roden answered she felt the committee did not believe the attendance from last year, so she lowered it to what thought the committee thought was realistic. Question into why more businesses are not sponsoring the event? Heuton expressed that a particular business contribution is not part of the criteria. When an annual event happens, people should say these are spectacular events. Annual events are different than one time events. Wicks stated that if we have these events year after year, people should be able to say they make money at the events. Einspahr motioned $2,000 out of event funds. Jones seconded. Motion carries. • Attendance: 2250 • Out of town: 50%=1125 (1125 local) • 1st person lodging: 3x104=$312 • 2nd person lodging: 3x40=$120 • Commuters: 1119x$40=$44760 • $312+120+44760=$45,192x1.8=$81,345.60 estimated impact Doris Roden-Construction Marketing Campaign-March-December 2008-Request: $24,000 This is a one time request. Based off of information from other cities, could loose up to 30% of sales, will impact April through October. If compare this construction to 6th street construction, there are only 10 businesses along 6th street that do not have a side street entrance. There are 63 businesses with direct access. This comes down to retention. Question into whether or not it is the duty of promotions to subsidize the businesses? Blatchford questioned why asking for larger amount from Promotions than businesses? Roden explained the downtown businesses are paying other expenses, looking for funds to help survive. Question into how many businesses are behind the streetscape? Roden answered only 3 businesses are against the project. Weldon commented that businesses will be impacted. Those with a bad attitude will be impacted negatively, and those with a positive attitude will have better results. Weldon feels this does fit into promotions, but not sure on the dollar amount. If everyone had to pay their fair share, the businesses would be paying more. Question into the $50 million in sales? Wicks questioned the number and how it could be independent of alcohol sales? Wicks motioned $24,000. Motion died for a lack of seconded. Heuton gave a breakdown of sales tax for Brookings County. Einspahr motioned $18,000. Wicks seconded. Discussion: Roden did a great job developing a unique campaign. Feel we should help with what we can. Blatchford added that the city is doing so much already. Blatchford motioned to amend the motion to $12,000. Daugaard seconded. Discussion: Nelson added that since on the committee, have sponsored almost $50,000 to DBI and feels $12,000 is the way to go. Roden explained that when they put this program together, the city council gave $25,000 and said additional funds would have to come from promotions. Wicks argued he asked the Mayor that question, whether we are responsible to cover additional funds, and he said no. Blatchford added that at the end of the construction, we will have use this as a way to attract people, part of a city wide promotion. Voting on amendment to the motion, motion carries with Wicks opposing. Vote on motion as amended. Motion carries. The funds should be paid all at once. • Summit League Funding Request: Heuton and Mayor Munsterman met with Mike Sullivan regarding a partnership to promote the Summit League. Sullivan proposed an amount of $25,000 each year for the next two years. Heuton explained that does not mean that is the amount we have to give. Vision Brookings is willing to fund 1/3 of the amount funded. Have a call into SDSU to see if there is anything they can do. Einspahr expressed that funding this will give us a voice in how Brookings will be recognized. Johnson motioned 1/3 of amount funded. Jones seconded. Wicks expressed it goes back to impact. By asking us to fund this, they are asking the city to contribute. This amount is the city contribution. Heuton added it does not have to be $25,000. We should not expect hotel rooms. The impact will not be direct. Johnson added this will show Sioux Falls we are willing to work with them. Wicks expressed that all he can do is trust the marketing. Put Brookings on a banner, great idea if it does what the professional says. Receive economic impact from recognition, gets people to South Dakota and more exposure. Question into whether this is something Student funds could be used for? Nelson explained that recruitment is not the job of the SA. Heuton questioned what the money is to be used for? Wicks answered it is to be used to entertain the people in the dorms. It is mandatory tax on students living in the dorms. Idea is to put together things like concerts and use the money to buy down the cost of tickets. Johnson clarified motion: 1/3 of contribution of project, up to $25,000 for the next two years, contingent upon other funding. Motion carries. •Motion to adjourn by Nelson second by Johnson. Meeting adjourned at 1:30p.