Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau



Minutes of the Board of Commissioners Meeting

May 15, 2002





I. CALL TO ORDER



Michael Garrigan called the May Board of Commissioners meeting, held at the

Columbus Convention & Visitors Center, to order at 8:05 am. Members present

included Dr. J.A. Hud, Veola Hymes, Colin, Martin, James McMullen, Jack Pezold,

Frances Quick, Miriam Tidwell, Virgil Thompson, and Martha Turner.



Ex-Officio members present were Larry Campbell, Janice Davis, Burnie Quick,

Charlie Schilling and Ed. Wilson.



Board Members absent included Lee Brantley, Dr. Michaell Taylor, Mayor Bobby

Peters, Jerry Mazurkiewkicz, and Roy Plummer.



Ex-Officio members absent included Carmen Cavezza and James Baudoin.



CCVB staff members present included Brenda Price, Peter Bowden, Shelby Guest,

Timothy Fields, Rhonda DePratt, Lativia Rivers and Rose M. Lynn.



Introduction of new CCVB Staff Member: Rose M. Lynn, Administrative Assistant.



Guests attending: Brian Smith and Brad Castleberry, representatives of Fort

Benning, Georgia.





II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES



Secretary Veola Hymes presented the April 2002 minutes to the Board asking for

any additions or deletions. There being none, Ms. Hymes made a motion to

approve the minutes as written. Virgil Thompson seconded the motion. A vote

was taken and the motion was carried.





III. TREASURER?S REPORT



Treasurer Miriam Tidwell presented the Treasurer?s Report to the Board. There

has been a 2% increase in hotel revenue compared to this time last year. She

explained the CVB has approximately $9,000 over revenue. Ms. Tidwell

explained extra money has been spent on advertising and the budget report

reflects additional money because of incorrect postings. There was an

expenditure for capital outlay, but money coming in from partners will assist

in keeping the budget on track.



Mr. Garrigan asked the Board for any comments or questions concerning the

Treasurer?s Report. Comment: Jack Pezold asked for clarification regarding

the Hotel/Motel Tax. Ms. Tidwell stated all activity increased by 2% this year

based on this same time last year. Mr. Garrigan asked for further questions or

comments. There being none, Veola Hymes made a motion to approve the

Treasurer?s report. Martha Turner seconded the motion. A vote was taken and

the motion was carried.





IV. OLD BUSINESS



NONE



V. NEW BUSINESS



Brenda Price stated the Bureau had not presented staff reports in some time and

this month staff members would bring the Board up-to-date.



Tim Fields, Director of Sales and Marketing

? Discussed the various conferences attended that targeted tour groups, family

reunions, as well as Army and Navy personnel.

? During May the Bureau will participate in a booster in Athens, Georgia with

the Lion?s Clubs of Georgia, seeking the 2006 Conference. Ms. Prices mentioned

that the Bureau had been able to secure military personnel from Fort Benning to

attend the VFW/American Legion Conferences.

? The CVB Conferences recently booked include Georgia/Alabama Narcotic

Association (first joint annual conference), Georgia Federation of Retired

Federal Employees, and the Georgia Soccer Association. Rooms for the Georgia

Soccer will generate 1400 plus rooms and is a sellout.





Rhonda DePratt, Sales Manager (Tour and Travel)

? Discussed shows attended and leads generated from attending.

? Over 20 AAA offices throughout Georgia and Alabama were visited to generate

interest in Columbus. Ms. DePratt stated that the Bureau has already prepared

mail-outs for Christmas and the Carl Hurly Show (a Comedy Show coming to the

River Center in March 2003). Two motorcoaches have booked the March

performance. Ms. Price stated the last time Carl Hurly came to Columbus, 50

motorcoaches booked and overnighted in Columbus.

? The CVB attended ?Stay and See Georgia? Consumer Show at the Mall of Georgia

and exhibited with its partners ?Presidential Pathways Travel Association.?

The exhibit won three out of the five awards presented.



Ed Wilson added to Ms. DePratt?s report that the City hosted a delegation from

Kiryu Japan - Columbus?s Sister City. The three members of the delegation had

a ?terrific itinerary? and Miriam Tidwell put on a ?fantastic garden luncheon?

at the Columbus Museum, which was one of the highlights of the visit that left

the delegates with a wonderful impression of the city.



Lativia Rivers, - Sales & Services Coordinator

Distributed a list of groups serviced for the month. Ms. Price stated that the

advertisements in the newspaper and television have generated a number of

telephone calls regarding family reunion services provided by the Bureau.



Shelby Guest - Communications Director

? Discussed the Media Showcase the Bureau is planning to attend the last part

of June.

? In Montgomery, Alabama appointments with 30 travel writers are planned.

After the conference 10 writers will participate in a Familiarization (FAM)

Tour of Columbus, GA and the Travel Region. The focus will be on the river and

nature based tourism. The CVB is currently at its maximum acceptance, which is

an indication that people are looking for something different and interesting.

? Plans are to use the river as the highway instead of jumping on and off

motorcoaches. The group will ride the Dragon Fly from here to Eufaula, showing

the points of interest in between.

? Ms. Guest also discussed the Welcome Center FAM currently in Columbus.

Tangie Carter was able to attend the Welcome Center FAM Tour (last year),

spending time and telling what Columbus, Georgia has to offer. Out of the 11

Georgia Welcome Centers 9 are represented.



Dr. J. A. Hud asked if the tour would include the Black Heritage

Trail. Ms. Guest

stated that the focus of this tour was ?Voyage of Discovery,? about nature

tours with

a focus on the river. Information will be provided on Black Heritage of

Columbus; this tour is to whet the appetites of writers and have then ?want to

come back?. Ms. Price stated that former Ledger Enquirer editorial writer and

historian ?Billy Winn? would accompany the group. Each writer will receive a

packet with suggested storylines about area attractions. The post FAM Tour is

in partnership with Eufaula, Alabama.







Peter Bowden, Deputy Director

? Discussed various programs within the Bureau

? Operation Homeward Bound - Launched after the events of September 11th to

protect business. Out of the eleven components planned, nine have been

accomplished.

? The Sales Department was complimented for the ability to adjust strategies

and plans and ?step outside the box? to create successful prospects, leads and

business.

? Operation Historic Meeting - expansion of Trade Center - This program of work

was devised to increase business at the Trade Center. The Bureau will conduct a

Familiarization Tour of the top high profile, corporate type of business, i.e.,

groups who have a product to unveil, trade show that is attached to their

conference, Coca-Cola, Nike - events that may not require huge facilities, but

facilities that are unique. The FAM Tour will take place during the ?Tour-de

Georgia? - April 24, 2003 in conjunction with Riverfest weekend.

? The CVB has completed its web site redevelopment and is in the transition

phase of making the technology work. The site includes a meeting planner

guide, a media kit online, and visitor information resources with brochures

that can be downloaded. The site will grow as additional needs are

discovered. The web site will also capture and create databases. The Bureau

will know how long people are staying what they are looking at, etc.



Larry Campbell stated he had received approval from the City Council to award

the Trade Center construction contract. Mr. Campbell has met with contractors

about issues such as disruptions of convention meetings, access to building

during construction For example, the upcoming Forty and Eight Reunion is of

construction. The CVB and Trade Center will work on issues as they arise.

Referrals to other facilities are commonplace to keep business - Bradley

Theater, CSU, RiverCenter etc.



Brenda Price, Executive Director

? Visited the Assistant Athletic Director in Auburn with Janice Davis, Director

of Sports Council to learn why Columbus could not get the Southeastern

Conference. It was explained Columbus could not fill the seats in the venues,

and did not have enough full service properties. Dr. J.A. Hud stated that the

SIAC Basketball Commissioner is open for discussion of using Columbus

facilities. Charlie Schilling stated that the Civic enter is booked October

through March.

? Information on White Water Rafting was given.

? Ms. Price touched on the ABFAB Awards Banquet that was recently held., Over

130 people participated in the Absolutely Fabulous Campaign with over 500

nominations. The following nominations and awards were presented at the

Banquet.

? Hilton Hotel - Most employees nominated throughout the year.

? Hampton Inn North - Most hospitality heroes.

? Curt Weaver of Business Improvement District - Individual with most

nominations for the year.

? Historic Columbus Foundation/Riverfest - Industry Partner of the Year

? Jack and Becky Basset - Donna Haines award

? Pat Houston of Country Inn & Suites - Exceptional Service Award

? Kizzy Haines , Hampton Inn North - Hospitality Hero of the Year (Ms. Haines

had been nominated and won 4 times during the year).

? Miriam?s Caf? & Gallery - The Columbus Hospitality Association Gold Plate

Award.





Virgil Thompson affirmed the importance of the campaign and banquet and

encouraged the Board to participate.



Dr. J.A. Hud asked if there was Hospitality Training available - Columbus State

University has a Training Program - Hospitality Industry Partnership Program

(HIPP) along with its Columbus Technical College.



Various members of the Board discussed other special events.



VI. ADJOURNMENT



There being no further discussion, Mr. Garrigan made a motion to adjourn the

meeting. The motion was approved by general consensus and the meeting was

adjourned at 9:20 AM.