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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2008CITY OF K V~U~~~T WASHINGTON Meeting Notes AUBURN TOURISM BOARD January 17, 2008 Travelodge Suites 9 16th Street NW 2:00-3:30 p.m. Members: Chair Sue Singer, Nancy Wyatt, David Kwok, Jamelle Garcia, Susie Sourine, Dixie Seahel, Kara Nixon, Raj & Dar Khera Staff: Debbie Luce, Kirsten Reynolds, Dana Hinman, Julie Brewer, Shawn Hunstock Opening: Chair Sue Singer called the Auburn Tourism Board meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. on January 17, 2008 at the Travelodge Suites. 1. Housekeeping • Introductions of Members and Guests • Approval of Minutes -October 31, 2007 Nancy Wyatt moved to approve the minutes from the October 31, 2007 meeting; seconded by Jarrell Garcia. All were in agreement, the minutes were approved. 2. Updates: • Post Card -Debbie Luce reported that 5,000 cards were printed and distributed to the hotels. Chair Singer asked to have the postcards distributed to all Councilmembers. • Website Update -The site is updated every Monday by Debbie. She announced that anyone from the group could have information posted; they just need to send it electronically to Debbie. • Experience Washington Update -Bob Dunn will be doing an update on the State's website. The group was in agreement that it would be nice to have the ATB site linked, possibly Jeremy Chevalier could assist with this project. • Tourism Handout Ideas -Debbie brought some samples of marketing objects i.e. luggage tags, note pads (ranging from $1.15 -.$8.00) to be used as a talking point for cold calls/visits to new businesses and corporations. Jamelle suggested that guest goody bags be offered at the airport i.e. golfing packages and/or hotel/restaurant discounts. The group discussed and was in agreement to move forward with purchasing the sticky note pads. Nancy Wyatt moved to authorize Debbie to spend up to $500 for the marketing note pads; seconded by Susie Sourine. All were in agreement and approved this motion. • Airport Kiosk -Debbie reported back to the group on the location of the kiosks at the SeaTac Airport. All five of the kiosks are located between the luggage pick up area and the rental car counters. Advertising at this location would cost $400. for the year. Jarrell Garcia moved to have brochures distributed at the SeaTac Airport location for $400; seconded by Nancy Wyatt. All were in agreement and approved this motion. Networking with Seattle & Tacoma CVB's -Debbie reported that she attended the Tacoma Christmas meeting and CTED's 5-year planning meeting. Some interesting facts she learned were that the Tacoma communities felt they were more directly tied to Auburn than Seattle communities; 43 percent of local tourism is from inside the state of Washington. Other topics discussed included the 2010 Olympics; banks that exchange Canadian money in area, tour groups that potentially visit the Tulalip area and how to bring them down to the Racetracks and Supermall. Debbie will talk with the new Supermall contact regarding marketing techniques to draw more tourists from the north (Canada, Bellingham and Tulalip) using our unique draw of Emerald Downs and Pacific Raceways. Brochure Distribution -Debbie reported she has been checking and replenishing stock at the various sites around town. They are going quickly so the group will need to budget accordingly for reprinting in the future. There was discussion around possibly selling advertising space on the brochure to help pay for the printing; advertising would not target the Big Five venues. • Special Groups -Goodie bags have been used to welcome different groups and items have been donated from the Muckleshoot Casino, Emerald Downs, and Rottles and left over gifts from the Downtown Sidewalk Sale event. A couple of goals are to target specific groups i.e. The Red Hat Society, athletes and restaurants. Nancy reported that the Supermall had an increase in visitors during the time the Veteran's Parade was happening. Debbie has already made contact and is working with the Ms. Auburn Pageant representatives. Special hotel rates have been sent out to both the pageant people and Aquatic Center. Packets are being made for the following groups: the Jazz Festival Competition in March, the Cup Stacking Tournament in March and other events that are being hosted at the Auburn Park facilities in 2008. • Seattle Travel Show - It was decided that ATB would not participate in the 2008 Seattle Travel Show but that Debbie would attend to get some ideas for an ATB display board. 3. Action Items Budget -The Tax Advisory Board met to discuss the 2008 annual budget, members included in that meeting were: Chair Sue Singer, Nancy Wyatt, Dave Aust, Dave Kwok, Karah Nixon. The budget was reviewed line by line and ultimately was increased for the Tourism Coordinator staffing and certified folder display services. The public relations line item was decreased and "Memberships" were added as a new line item for visitor's and convention bureau dues. The "non-designated expenditures" were categorized to include the following, but not limited to: SeaTac Airport marketing fees, printing for Map Brochures and sticky notes. This budget has already been passed through the Auburn City Council and the group had no further questions on the 2008 budget. Discover Auburn Week -The Tourism Board decided to make National Tourism Week their main project for 2008 by labeling and promoting "Discover Auburn Week". The group felt it is important to educate Auburn citizens first on the many accommodations, attractions, arts, recreation and shopping opportunities in Auburn. The week will be coordinated with special events highlighting Auburn's destinations. A Passport will be designed and inserted in the Auburn Reporter. There will be a determined number of events that people have to attend and get their passport stamped to be eligible for great prizes. Possible events could be hosted at the Supermall, Emerald Downs, the White River Amphitheatre and Pacific Raceways. Debbie will work on some prices for advertising and bring them back to the group at the next meeting. Possible prizes could include: driving school at Pacific Raceways and/or ride in the chase carat Emerald Downs. Susie Sourine moved to make the Tourism Week the focus for 2008; seconded by Nancy Wyatt. All were in agreement and approved this motion. Missing Lodging Signs going North on 167 - WSDOT was contacted about the billing received and no sign being posted. A representative of WSDOT verified that the signs were taken down during construction on the hot lanes on 167. He said they would be put back up. Debbie will keep track and update the group. Sue Singer will send a letter to WSDOT if the signs are not up in the next several weeks. 4. Information Sharing -Various announcements were made that included: • Emerald Downs is having their annual Weiner Dog Races on August 15, 2008. • The Travel Lodge has new owners that were present at the January meeting: Raj and Dar Khera. • Jarrell Garcia talked about the possibilities of partnering with ATB for a booth at the FAA Trade Show held at the Puyallup Fair Grounds on February 23~d and 24t". • The Auburn Theater just booked four New Kids related shows and is still advertising for rental space. • Copper Falls Restaurant is now open on the Auburn Golf Course. They are serving breakfast on the weekends. 5. Next Meeting • Discussion on Monthly Meetings -The group decided to meet once a month at least until Tourism Week is over. • Host for next meeting - Jamelle Garcia offered to host the next meeting at the Airport starting at 2:00 p.m. 6. Adjournment at 3:30 p.m.