HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-2007AUBURN TOURISM BOARD
Meeting Notes
February 15, 2007
Opening:
The meeting of the Auburn Tourism Board was officially called to order at 1:30 p.m. on
February 15, 2007, in the King County Library Conference Room.
Members Present:
Board: Sue Singer (Chair), David Kwok, Nancy Wyatt, Dave Aust, George Filiss, Jamelle
Garcia, Jeffrey Sabree, Sarah Bonds, Edgar Rojas
Staff: Duanna Richards, Jeremy Chevalier
Consultants: Bob Dunn, Cat's Eye Group; Jane Baxter Lynn, JBL Public Relations Strategies
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
A. The agenda for today's meeting was approved.
B. The minutes for January 18, 2007, were approved with the following change:
under Meeting Times/Dates the March meeting time needs to be changed to 1:30 to
3:30 p.m.
C. Reviewed upcoming meeting dates: March 22, April 19 and May 17 from 1:30 to
3:30 p.m. at King County Library.
D. The City will be simplifying the Boards & Commission application process.
II. Website
A. Bob Dunn and Jane Baxter Lynn reported on the status of the new Tourism Board
website.
B. The home page will include 8-10 photos that fade from one to the next.
C. A calendar feature will be added.
Discussion came up about the "about Auburn" video that is currently showing on the
City's website. One of the business owners indicated they have been approached
recently about participating in the program. The City hadn't been aware of this.
Jane indicated the website is scheduled to launch March 15 and asked if there were any
objections; there were none.
Jane will be sending out an email soliciting input for website content.
Bob requested photos from everyone to include on the corresponding pages of the
website.
III. Strategic Action Plan
Jane reviewed the Auburn Tourism Board's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats (SWOTs see copy attached) with the Tourism Board:
1) Vision
2) Mission
3) Primary Goals
4) Target Market
5) Target Audiences
The Tourism Board was in full agreement with the Vision, Mission, Primary Goals, and
Target Market. They requested that the local community be added to the list of Target
Audiences. Jamelle Garcia indicated the name Auburn Flight School has been changed
to Northwest Aviation College.
There was some general discussion about the need to offer unique retail opportunities
to draw people to Auburn's downtown.
Presented New Material to Board
1) Focus of messages: Needs to be on both consumers and local residents
• Should not focus on "Discount;" instead, focus on quality, accessibility, and variety
of attractions
• Rearrange and edit points to focus on positives
2) Strategies: Needs to focus on both consumers and local residents
• Some Board members wondered if it was time for Good OI' Days (referring to the
past) to be transformed into something that's more in line with Auburn's current
goals (looking at what's unique about Auburn).
3) Tactics (Possible Activities)
• Hotel Open House
• Mural at Airport
• City focus on local community during opening of Golf Course Clubhouse
• Address the R.V. market potential
• Develop Sister City relationship with a similar Eastern Washington city -discussed
possibility of Yakima or Pasco
• Mayor Lewis and Sue Singer need to talk to the Governor about Auburn is now so
more positive exposure is given to tourism and the City in general.
• Respond to negative press in a positive way
• Arts walk idea explored
• Annual Arts Festival explored
IV. Marketing Ideas
A. Tourism Map/Brochures -Communications Division will put together an RFP inviting
designers to submit proposals to develop a Tourism Map/Brochure. The new
brochure will replace the brochure that is currently being used. Board members
were encouraged to refer potential designers to Jeremy Chevalier for information
about the RFP.
B. One of the recommendations resulting from the research Jane has done is for the
Auburn Tourism Board to hire a Tourism Manager. Depending upon the part-time
efforts of City staff and volunteers isn't going to be enough to do what needs to be
done.
V. Next Meeting: Thursday, March 22, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.