Columbus, Georgia

CCVB Board Meeting

November 20, 2002

8:00 AM

Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau

1000 Bay Avenue

FINAL

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

Facilitator: Lee BrantleyNote taker:Rose Lynn

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 Lee Brantley

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts ? James Baudoin, Lee Streby

Nominating Committee Lee Brantley

Open House Announcement Lee Brantley

Review of Revenues/Employee Salary Adjustments

Request to Amend Eligibility for Group Health Executive Committee

Other Business Group

Adjourn Lee Brantley





Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau



Minutes of the Board of Commissioners Meeting

November 20, 2002



I. CALL TO ORDER



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

Visitors Bureau, was called to order at 8:01 A.M. by the president, Lee

Brantley. Board members present included Michael Garrigan, Dr. J.A. Hud, Veola

Hymes, Colin Martin, James McMullen, Jack Pezold, Dr. Michaell Taylor, Miriam

Tidwell, Virgil Thompson, and Martha Turner.



Ex-Officio members present were James Baudoin, Larry Campbell, Janice Davis,

and Charlie Schilling.



Board Members absent included: Mayor Bobby Peters, Jerry Mazurkiewicz, Roy

Plummer, and Frances Quick.



Ex-Officio members absent included Carmen Cavezza, Burnie Quick, and Ed Wilson.



CCVB staff members present included Brenda Price, Peter Bowden, Rhonda DePratt,

Shelby Guest, Rose M. Lynn, Mike Owens, Alicia Richardson, Lativia Rivers, and

Amanda Horne-Ryals.



Guests attending: Lee Streby, Development Director ? RiverCenter for the

Performing Arts.



Mr. Lee Brantley expressed his deep admiration for the city of Columbus and the

city?s ability to accommodate various activities in town this weekend. Mr.

Brantley commented that very few cities the size of Columbus would be able to

accomplish this. Mr. Brantley introduced new CCVB Team Member, Alicia

Richardson, Sales & Service Coordinator.





II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES



Secretary Veola Hymes presented the October minutes to the Board asking that

the minutes for October be amended to include the presentation and approval of

minutes for the months of August and September. The minutes were approved upon

motion made by Veola Hymes with the noted correction and seconded by Dr.

Michaell Taylor.







III. TREASURER?S REPORT



Brenda Price stated that the year-to-date hotel revenue was up 17% over the

same period as last year. Ms. Price noted the CCVB had one six-figure month,

which had not occurred in the 12 years she has been on board and can be

contributed to the activities that were going on for that month, particularly

the 40/8 group. An invoice in the amount of $8,071.73 from Basset and Becker

(for brochure reprints and ad placement) was presented to the Board for

approval. A motion was made to approve the invoice by Virgil Thompson and

seconded by Martha Turner. A vote was taken and the motion was carried.





IV. OLD BUSINESS



NONE



V. NEW BUSINESS



Peter Bowden, Deputy Director, introduced Mr. Lee Streby, Development Director

-RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.



Mr. Streby shared the history of the RiverCenter, where it is headed, the

goals, as well as present achievements.



Points Discussed by Mr. Streby

? The RiverCenter is a $75 million performing arts center located on Broadway

in downtown Columbus, and is the home of three state of the art performance

venues and the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music.

? The Bill Heard Theatre is a multipurpose theatre with a 2000 seat capacity.

Legacy Hall is an acoustically advanced music performance hall with a 450-seat

capacity used for concerts and recitals. The versatile Black Box theatre has a

200-seat capacity, which is primarily used as recital space for the Schwob

School of Music.

? Overview of products include several series of events and performances at

RiverCenter, with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra season being the centerpiece,

the AFLAC variety series (international touring attractions presented by

RiverCenter, Inc.), full season of performances by the CSU Schwob School of

Music, the CSU premium series, classical performances by world class artists

primarily in Legacy Hall. Legacy Hall is the home of a $1 million pipe organ.

? The first ever Broadway Series opens December 7, 2002.

? Communication and Marketing procedures include a bi-monthly newsletter, a new

website, daily advertising in the Columbus Ledger Enquirer, weekly morning

drive radio shows; Columbus Times and Davis Broadcasting to interest different

cultures.

? Future marketing projections and initiatives include increasing

Variety/Premier subscriptions, membership renewals, and online donations via

Net Solutions, to have daily arts media coverage in print, radio, and

television.

? Partnership between RiverCenter and CCVB.



Ms. Price told the Board that the RiverCenter receives 1% of the Hotel/Motel

Tax. Dr. Hud asked if the RiverCenter had a children?s program and what it

consisted of. Mr. Streby stated that RiverCenter hosted the first professional

dance production in more than 15 years. The RiverCenter collaborated with the

Muscogee County School District and brought in high school students to see

production of ?A Street Car Named Desire.? Over 1400 students were brought in

to seethe performance. The Columbus Symphony has an active education program.

Mr. Pezold inquired about RiverCenter?s efforts to reach outside of Columbus.

Mr. Streby explained that expanding the regional marketing was a primary

initiative for next year. Mr. Streby also discussed the recent filming of the

?The Fighting Temptations.?

Mr. Brantley thanked Mr. Streby for his input.



Nominating Committee: Janice Davis, Larry Campbell, and Burnie Quick will meet

in January.



Peter Bowden, Deputy Director, extended an invention to the CCVB?s Holiday Open

House ? on December 6, 2002 at his home from 6:00 P.M. ? 10:00 P.M.



Review of Revenue/Employee Salary Adjustments: Mr. Brantley recalled that the

Board had previously agreed not to make any salary adjustments and provide a

one-time $500 dollar bonus in December. However, as the hotel/motel revenues

have increased 17%, the Board agreed as of January 1, 2003, to give a 4%

increase to eligible employees. A motion was made by Martha Turner and

seconded by Dr. Taylor that a 4% salary increase would be available January 1,

2003 to eligible employees.



Request to Amend Eligibility for Group Health: Mr. Brantley informed the Board

that the Health Insurance for the CCVB was up for renewal and a request to

amend insurance eligibility for retiring persons is included. Dr. Taylor

stressed that it is an important step, as it would insure future retirees the

same benefit. Discussion on whether the CCVB was eligible to be included on

the City?s insurance plan was discussed and will be looked into. Mr. Garrigan

remarked that based on the number of employees, there were few insurance

companies that would carry coverage. Ms. Price suggested a committee be

appointed to investigate insurance coverage for the group, but based on the

expiration of the current policy ? a decision would have to be rendered prior

to January 1, 2003 as the policy premium for renewal would be due. After

discussion of the insurance, it was agreed that Evergreen would remain the

current carrier and the Board would look at being included on the City?s health

insurance to see if costs could be lowered. Mr. Garrigan stated that if the

CCVB could get on the City?s plan, it would be the way to go. A motion was

made by Dr. Taylor to approve amending health coverage with Evergreen to allow

eligible retirees under the age of 65 with ten years of service to maintain

insurance coverage at their own expense under the Evergreen plan. Martha

Turner seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion was carried with

Colin Martin and Mike Garrigan asking that their vote be abstained.



Lee Brantley opened floor for comments and questions



Miriam Tidwell thanked those who participated in the weekend toy-raising

program.



Janice Davis, Executive Director of Columbus Sports Council was happy to report

that Columbus won the bid on the ASA Tournament for ages 10 and under, which is

a slow pitch, for August 2004.







VI. ADJOURNMENT



There being no further discussion, Mr. Brantley adjourned the Board meeting at

8:42 AM.