Columbus, Georgia

CCVB Board Meeting

JUNE 19 , 2002

8:00 AM

Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau

1000 Bay Avenue

PRELIMINARY

Meeting called by: Executive BoardType of meeting:Monthly Board of Commissioners

Facilitator: Lee BrantleyNote taker:Rose Lynn & Shelby Guest

Attendees: Lee Brantley, Michael Garrigan, Veola Hymes, Dr. J.A. Hud, Jerry

Mazurkiewicz, James McMullen, Colin Martin, Mayor Bobby Peters, Jack Pezold,

Roy Plummer, Frances Quick, Miriam Tidwell, Dr. Michaell Taylor, Virgil

Thompson, Martha Turner



James Baudoin, Larry Campbell, Carmen Cavezza, Janice Davis, Charlie Schilling,

Burnie Quick, Ed Wilson

Please read: Minutes & Treasurer?s Report

Please bring: Board Packet including all documentation

----- Agenda Topics -----



Call to Order Lee Brantley

Welcome Guests Lee Brantley

Approve Minutes Veola Hymes

Treasurer's Report Miriam Tidwell

Old Business Lee Brantley

New Business

Attraction Comparison Report

Coca-Cola Space Science Center

Web Site Review CCVB

Personnel Issue Group

Other Business Group

Adjourn Lee Brantley









Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau



Minutes of the Board of Commissioners Meeting

June 19, 2002





I. CALL TO ORDER



The June Board of Commissioners meeting, held at the Columbus Convention &

Visitors Bureau, was called to order at 8:05 am by the president, Lee

Brantley. Board Members present included Michael Garrigan, Jerry Mazurkiewicz,

James McMullen, Roy Plummer, Frances Quick, Miriam Tidwell, Virgil Thompson,

and Martha Turner.



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



Board Members absent included: Dr. J.A. Hud, Veola Hymes, Colin Martin, Mayor

Bobby Peters, and Dr. Michaell Taylor.



Ex-Officio members absent included James Baudoin, Carmen Cavezza, Charlie

Schilling, and Ed Wilson.



CCVB staff members present included Brenda Price, Peter Bowden, Tangie Carter,

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

Amanda Horne-Ryals.



Guests attending: Dr. Carole Rutland, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Jared

Smith, Columbus Civic Center, and Tom Scott Columbus Chamber of Commerce.





II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES



In the absence of Secretary Veola Hymes, Brenda Price, Executive Director of

CCVB presented the May 2002 minutes to the Board asking for any additions or

deletions. The minutes were approved upon motion made by Martha Turner and

seconded by Virgil Thompson. A vote was taken and the motion was carried.





III. TREASURER?S REPORT



Brenda Price stated that the Treasurer?s Report had just been received via

e-mail only minutes prior to the start of the meeting, and had not been fully

reviewed. Ms. Price stated there was only one invoice for printing that

exceeded $5,000. The invoice was for Basset and Becker in the amount of

$22,739.14. Ms. Price suggested the members take the financial statement and

review for discussion at the July Board Meeting. Request by Jerry

Mazurkiewicz to have the budget reflect a column showing the budgeted amounts

and actual amounts for expenditures. Ms. Price stated that it would be

provided at the next meeting.



Mr. Brantley asked for a motion to table the May Financial Report until the

July Board Meeting. Frances Quick made a motion with Martha Turner seconding.

A vote was taken and the motion was carried.





IV. OLD BUSINESS



NONE



V. NEW BUSINESS



Mr. Brantley stated it is good business to invite some of the local

attractions to attend the CCVB Board Meetings to provide the Board an

opportunity to learn what events/activities are offered, history, challenges,

and goals of those venues.



Peter Bowden, Deputy Director, introduced Dr. Carole Rutland from the Coca-Cola

Space Science Center. Peter noted the Science Center recently celebrated its

sixth anniversary on Saturday, June 15th and is one of ?our? best attractions.



Ms Rutland shared where the Center is going and where it wants to be in the

next three to four years.



Points Discussed by Dr. Rutland

? The Coca-Cola Space & Science Center is owned and operated by Columbus State

University.

? Since the Center?s sixth anniversary approximately 600,000 visitors have come

through its doors.

? Plans are to add a caf? and gift shop.



Ms. Price stated that in 1992 the CCVB brought a corporate group-meeting

planner for the Georgia Pest Control Association to Columbus who had visited

the Science Center. At that time the group did not ?book? its meeting in

Columbus, however, they have recently called and are planning to bring their

board of directors for a space mission, working through the Challenger Center

with each other to develop team building skills. The annual meeting will

have about 1,000 persons.



Lee Brantley stated that he has taken some of his personnel to the Space Center

and they (adults over 35) had a great time. Question: Burnie Quick wanted to

know what was the concept of a caf?? Dr. Rutland stated that the caf? in the

Center would be open daily and would face the Riverwalk. The gift shop would

also be open daily.



Peter Bowden, Deputy Directorpresented a visual overview of the new CCVB

website ? www.visitcolumbusga.com. It was stated the current site has become

stagnate and needed tools for marketing and prospecting. Part of the criteria

in the redevelopment of the site was to have the CCVB maintain control in order

to take it to the next level. The City has made a ?redirect? for with the aid

of Pezold Management?s LightSpeed Internet as the ?new? host. The site

provides a visitor information page that is interactive ? users will have the

ability to download brochures, secure travel information, as well as

professional information for meeting planners. The site also contains a list

of the most frequently asked questions, i.e., hotels, etc. Visitors can click

on the attraction they are interested in and get detailed information.



The site also provides banners that change throughout the website listing

hotels, restaurants, etc. When visitors click on the establishment it will

provide brief information about the facility and telephone number. The site

will also feature current weather conditions in the area. As more and more

questions are asked, the website will be changed to meet the visitor?s needs.

All brochures are now ?on line?. Ms. Price added the CCVB would be able to

track the number of people viewing the web site and determine interests, length

of stay, etc. Mr. Bowden stated the Bureau would review the website every six

months to monitor its progress ? success and failures -- and how to be

proactive to customer needs.



Mr. Bowden briefly touched on the travel writer?s tour and asked who would be

attending the June 27th dinner by show of hands.



Janice Davis, Executive Director of Columbus Sports Council briefly talked

about the Georgia Police and Fire Games. Ms. Davis stated the Governor did a

great job recognizing the heroes (public safety employees). There were over

1000 participants in this year?s event. Ms. Davis thanked everyone for the

support and hospitality that had been shown throughout the games



Lee Brantley opened floor for comments and questions. Tom Scott commented the

website was great and mentioned that there was an information board located at

the airport that had empty spaces and perhaps the Bureau could contact the

owner and have photos of the city?s attractions placed there to fill the empty

spaces.





VI. ADJOURNMENT



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

Board meeting at 9:20 AM. The Board then went into Executive Session to discuss

personnel issues. All non-voting members were excused.