COLUMBUS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
900 FRONT AVENUE, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31901
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
Commissioners Present: Dhan Parekh, Chair, Paul Pierce, Vice Chair, John
Miller, Ken Johnson, and Shelley Dean
Commissioners Absent: Elizabeth Barker, Immediate Past Chair, Charlie Desai,
and Felicia Hamilton, Secretary/Treasurer
Ex-Officios Present: Merri Sherman
Ex-Officios Absent: Richard Bishop, David Bevins, Cyndy Cerbin, Bill Bullock,
Mike Gaymon, Herbert Greene, Ross Horner, Isaiah Hugley and Mayor Teresa
Tomlinson
Staff Present: Peter Bowden, Shelby Guest, Kimberly Kaup, and Linda Olvera
Call to Order: Dhan Parekh, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.
Approval of Minutes & Treasurer?s Report: In the absence of Felicia Hamilton,
Dhan Parekh presented the April Board minutes for approval. John Miller made a
motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Ken Johnson. A vote was
taken, and the motion passed. Linda Olvera presented the March financials to
the Board for approval. Paul Pierce made a motion to accept the financials as
presented, seconded by John Miller. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Chair?s Report??????????????????????Dhan Parekh
Fort Benning PAL Hotel ---The visit to Washington D.C. Is being planned for
May; confirming date, those who will attend, and who to see.
President?s Report???????????????????.Peter Bowden
Resignation of Commissioner?Pino Wells Davis has tendered her resignation to
the Board due to family health issues. Ms. Wells-Davis is an at large
position. Board members were encouraged to submit names for possible
appointment. Staff will take those recommendations to the Mayor for
consideration.
Phenix City Hotel Partnership?Staff continued to update the Board on its
research that could possibly establish a partnership with Phenix City whereby
the new Courtyard by Marriott, being constructed adjacent to the Pedestrian
Bridge in Phenix City, could be used to assist in growing the convention
business at the Trade Center. The lack of quality rooms close to the Trade
Center has created a disadvantage in luring new convention business to
Columbus. The advantage would be an additional 100 rooms, complimenting the
177 rooms at the Columbus Marriott. If the partnership or agreement is
reached, available rooms from Phenix City could exceed 300. Ram Properties is
building Phenix City hotel and is expected to be completed by the end of FY
2014. Staff is researching cities that have agreements that cross state lines
or city/county boundaries. Kansas City has provided a response.
Columbus Community Calendar---Staff reported on the updates and performance of
the Community Calendar. A little over a year ago, the Calendar underwent a
major update to make it easier for users to find the event information while
providing he CVB ways to highlight multiple featured events; other improvements
included simpler methods for partners to add, edit or delete events placed on
the Calendar. A simple demonstration was provided on the functionality of the
Calendar, navigations, adding/editing events, etc.
Quick Stats:
Visits: 33,260
Unique Visitors: 29,675
Page views: 95,100
Avg Pages per visit: 2.91
Avg Time on Site: 4:21
Columbus Council Quarterly Meeting---Staff has confirmed the April 29th Council
meeting for presenting an update on its program of work.
Adjournment????????????????????Dhan Parekh
The Meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Attachments
No attachments for this document.