COLUMBUS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
900 FRONT AVENUE, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31901
APRIL 16, 2008
Commissioners Present: Scott Ressmeyer, Chair, H.S. Guron, Vice Chair, Bruce
Smith, Secretary/Treasurer, Brian Plemmons, and John Shinkle.
Commissioners Absent: Allen Woodall, James Smith, and Teresa Tomlinson.
Ex-Officios Present: Larry Campbell, Cyndy Cerbin, and Janice Davis.
Ex-Officios Absent: Richard Bishop, Mike Gaymon, Dale Hester, Isaiah Hugley,
Enoch Morris, Burnie Quick, Mayor Jim Wetherington, and Judy Thomas.
Staff Present: Peter Bowden, Carrie Clark, Shelby Guest, Laura Walker, and
Linda Olvera.
Call to Order: Scott Ressmeyer, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:35
p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Bruce Smith presented the minutes from the March meeting
for approval. Brian Plemmons made a motion to accept the minutes as presented,
seconded by H.S. Guron. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
Treasurer?s Report: Bruce Smith presented the March financials for review.
John Shinkle made a motion to accept the financials as presented, seconded by
Brian Plemmons. A vote was taken and the motion passed. Brian Plemmons lead
a discussion comparing the Smith Travel report with the receipts that have been
reported by the various hotels to the City finance department, noting an
apparent discrepancy between the two. CVB Staff pointed out that a similar
conclusion was made during the 2005 Comprehensive Tourism Analysis, performed
by Randall Travel Marketing. The CCVB Board asked that a letter be sent to the
City requesting an audit of the hotels/motels in Columbus for receipts and tax
monies collected.
Sales Report (see attached): Laura Walker presented the updated report for
March.
Chairman?s Report: Scott Ressmeyer
Geo Tourism-Last August a seminar was held at the Southeastern Tourism Society
(STS) Marketing College. National Geographic Society has promoted geo tourism
in connection with quality of life. This initiative ties in with the
Consolidated Government?s work on its 2025 plan. The CVB is suggesting that
tourism be included in the plan for protecting resources while maximizing its
benefits for residents.
City Planning-Community Visioning?Bruce Smith updated the Board on the City?s
town hall meetings relating to a variety of projects -- revitalizing Midtown,
transportation plans/traffic signals, revision of city zoning, white water,
streets, etc. Mr. Smith even suggested that an east ?west corridor might be
beneficial in connecting the city as opposed to the J.R. Allen?s Bypass that
redirects visitors away from the city.
The Columbus Challenge-the Next Step ? W.C .Bradley along with the Columbus
Chamber and Uptown Columbus have formed a task force to examine how best to
enhance the cultural experiences in Columbus. A consultant has been hired that
will lead the research and help determine what is needed to ?take the arts to
the next level.? The primary objective is to help Columbus become an arts,
entertainment and cultural destination.
Crisis Communication & Management Plan?In preparation for its DMAI
Accreditation, the CVB has had to create a comprehensive crisis management plan
that would provide provisions to protect Staff and visitors during a variety of
crises. The Executive Board reviewed the program and made the recommendation to
accept the plan. John Shinkle made a motion to adopt the CCVB plan submitted.
Bruce Smith seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.
Destination Fee?update---HB 1399 failed to pass this legislative session. The
Georgia Hotel & Lodging Assoc. and the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia
were the two organizations on record that did not endorse the bill and had
worked to defeat the bill during the 2008 legislative session. The CVB Staff
provided a brief description of its active role during the legislative session,
the assistance it provided contacting legislators, GHLA, TDAG, etc. and that
information had been shared with the Columbus Sports Council throughout the
process on the possible opposition that the bill might face. The CVB is working
to set a meeting with TDAG, the Sports Council, and the City Manager?s Office
to work on solutions for the next session.
President?s Report: Peter Bowden
Poplar Place Recognition?The CCVB, Harris County Chamber and the Pine Mountain
Tourism Assoc. sponsored a reception for various hotels and attendees during
one of the equestrian events at Poplar Place. The co-op allowed the three
communities to express appreciation to the Polar Place owners for their
contribution to the communities and to thank the hotel community for their
hospitality towards the travel audience attending these types of events.
Hospitality Industry Turning Green?During the Southeastern Tourism Society?s
(STS) Spring Meeting a general session discussion addressed the issue facing
the hospitality industry as a whole that there needs to be a proactive plan in
place towards the impact the ?industry? makes on the environment. A task force
within STS will be established to help provide direction and guidelines. The
CVB?s seat on the STS Board will allow Columbus to participate in the process.
Smith Travel Report Annual Summary (attached) ? a briefing was provided by
Brian Plemmons (see above comments re: the STR discrepancy between hotel/motel
tax collections)
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m.
Attachments
No attachments for this document.