CVB Board Meeting?November 16, 2005
CVB Board Members Attending: H.S. Guron, Veola Hymes, Susan Lawhorne, Colin
Martin, James McMullen, Brian Plemmons, and Col. Roy Plummer.
Ex-Officio Members Attending: Mayor Bob Poydasheff, Larry Campbell, Mike
Gaymon, and substituting for Dale Hester was Robin Walker.
Colin Martin called the meeting to order at 8:00am.
Minutes: No approval necessary as there were no minutes taken at the October
Board meeting due to the special presentation to the hotel general managers
Treasurer?s Report: James McMullen presented the Treasurer?s Report. Special
approval required for the amount of $11,000 for the CVB?s new phone system.
Mayor Bob Poydasheff made a motion to approve the amount, with the motion being
seconded by Brian Plemmons. Peter Bowden reported that the CVB?s income is not
tracking as high as projected, but otherwise the budget is in good shape.
Mayor Poydasheff requested the CVB look into the reason(s) why income is not on
the projected path.
Audit Report: Larry Young with Albright, Fortenberry, and Ninas LLP detailed
the CVB?s audit to Board members. Mayor Poydasheff offered to hand deliver
copies of the audit to the City Manager and Finance Department.
Sales Report: Peter Bowden explained that the October sales report reflected a
new format, being pulled from the new software system. Mr. Bowden explained
that because of a migration of data issues in the system, all the data usually
shown in the sales report is not available at this time. Mayor Poydasheff
suggested that a cover letter with an explanation accompany the report when it
is sent to the hotels.
Jack Basset and Bill Becker with Basset & Becker Advertising made a
presentation to the Board highlighting the FY 2005 Marketing and Advertising
Review. At the conclusion of their report, Mr. Bowden informed the Board that
the CVB has embarked on a comprehensive research study that is being conducted
by Randall Travel Marketing (Charlotte, NC) and should conclude in September
2006. The study will give the Bureau an action plan on how to increase market
share and suggest strategies. Mike Gaymon suggested a branding update in the
near future.
Chairman?s Report: Colin Martin discussed the CVB?s Board make-up, letting the
group know that at the end of the year, James McMullen and Col. Roy Plummer
will be coming off the Board, along with Jack Pezold (not eligible for
re-appointment) and Virgil Thompson, who is resigning from this Board to become
part of the Civic Center Board. Mr. Martin stated that as of today?s meeting,
the Mayor is planning to appoint Bill Webster (Sheraton Hotel) and Bruce Smith
(Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum) to fill the vacant slots. This
will create a Board make-up of three hotel representatives, three tourism reps,
and three at-large positions. Ex-Officio members will remain the same.
Mr. Martin also stated the need for forming a nominating committee for next
year?s officers. He suggested the committee include Larry Campbell, Isaiah
Hugley and/or Richard Bishop. This group is to present the slate at the
January 2006 Board meeting.
Mr. Martin concluded his report by reminding the Board that there will not be a
meeting in December, but encouraged the members to attend the CVB?s Holiday
Open House on December 15 from 4:00-7:00pm.
President?s Report: Peter Bowden reported on the Master Tourism Fund, which is
currently a line-item on the City?s budget. The CVB has requested access to
those funds, as the account has been sitting dormant for several yeasr. The
first reading for this request of redirection of funds occurred at City Council
on November 15. The money will be used for specific projects at the CVB
including the refurbishment and updating of the Visitors Center, customer
database software, research study, regional video, Governor?s Conference on
Tourism (Sept. 2006), and signage. The second reading will occur on November 22.
Mr. Bowden also re-capped a recent meeting that involved hotel general managers.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00
AM
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