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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-2008CITY OF A TY OF WASHINGTON AUBURN TOURISM BOARC Meeting Note: Location: Auburn April 17, 200F Regional Theatei 2:00-3:30 p.m Members Present: Board: Chair Sue Singer, Nancy Wyatt, Khara Nixon, Dave Aust, Bruce Goldsberry, Susie Sourwine, Ronnie Roberts, Christian McLendon, Phil Edwards and Dixie Scahel Staff: Debbie Luce, Kirsten Reynolds, Jeremy Chevalier, Dana Hinman, Dave Baron, Jim Kleinbeck and Julie Brewer Opening: Chair Sue Singer called the Auburn Tourism Board meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. on April 17, 2008, at the Auburn Avenue Theater. 1. Housekeeping • An introduction of Members and Guests took place. Christian McLendon, owner of the PIT Restaurant was attending for the first time. • Approval of Minutes - March 20, 2008 The Committee approved the March 20, 2008 minutes as read. 2. Updates • Brochure Distribution - Debbie Luce has been replenishing brochures and post cards at different sites around the City. Debbie recommended to the Board to purchase more cardboard brochure holders; originally the Committee agreed to purchase 50 holders. • Special Groups - Some groups are coming in from Oregon for fast pitch tournaments. Debbie reported there has been quite a few inquires coming from California. The Highlanc Games will be taking place in Enumclaw soon. The American Amateur Championship Gol Tournament will be using the Auburn golf course. • Association of Visitor Information Center of Washington Conference - Debbie will be attending this conference in Gig Harbor from April 23r - 25"'. There will be a basket exchange at the conference for promoting the different cities; Debbie will be collecting items from businesses before the event. • Display Case at Sounder Train Station - Chair Singer expressed the Mayor was very pleased on how the display turned out. The Board thanked Jeremy Chevalier for all his help putting this together. Chair Singer announced the B Street Plaza will be made into a City park. • Possible Advertising Opportunities - Debbie reported talking with the display company working with the train stations and busses. Some options explored included, but were not limited to, having banners on the platforms which would cost $5,000 for a 32-week campaign ($25 a pole). An idea was discussed to sell/lease the banner space out to individual businesses as a benefit for ATB members. Debbie will get more information regarding if a long term deal could be reached with the company. Susie Sourwine talked about how having the banner: at the train station would reinforce our branding. There was further discussion about having greater exposure on the roads if bus ads were used. Debbie will get solid prices or the bus ads and train platform banners and report back to the group. Debbie will also be checking with QC Graphics on the production of the banners. Chair Singer made a side note that the Downtown Redevelopment Committee will be asking the Auburn Downtown Association (ADA) to participate in an upcoming meeting regarding their plan for the downtown banners. There was a brief discussion regarding free websites that Auburn could post information on such as Seattle drive guide and/or northwest.com. New Partners - Pacific Raceways has a new General Manager and will be participating in the Auburn Tourism Board after a few months in his new position. 3. Action Items • Discover Auburn Week - ? Budget - came in under $18,000 for all the marketing materials including 2 four color ads in the papers. ? Design - 50,000 passports are planned to go out on May 7th ? Feeder Ads - April 23rd there will be ads in the Sumner and Lake Taps Reporter. On April 26th there will be a full color ad in the Auburn Reporter. Again, on April 30t, there will be a black and white ad run in both Sumner/Lake Taps and Auburn. Debbie will put up posters around town after a few other event posters come down. The event information will be posted on the Supermall's reader board. ? Ballots Boxes - will have the passport image with bullets on how to participate. They will be delivered to all locations closer to the event week. ? Proclamation from City is on track for May 5th. Debbie will attend. ? Debbie Luce and Chair Sue Singer will be on Channel 21 with Mayor Lewis promoting Discover Auburn Week. There will be a two minute promo DVD made and available to individuals who would like to have it running at their sites during the week. Dana Hinman commented she would make sure the DVD will run on the City Hall lobby TVs. • Lodging Signs - Chair Singer gave an update on the missing Lodging Signs going North on 167; the signs are now up. Some of the Committee Members asked the Tourism Board to help get reimbursed for the signs missing for so long. Update on Lodging Signs on 15th - Public Works has said these types of signs are private and there is nothing in the code to allow them. This issue will be taken to Council and determined if they can be categorized as wayfinding signage. • Participation in Veterans Day Parade - Ronnie Roberts and Christian Mclendon talked about hosting a Hydroplane weekend without the water just the boats to promote Auburn. The idea was to partner with the hydroplane museum and the Auburn Tourism Board as a fundraiser for the museum and promotion event for Discover Auburn Week in the future. The concept was to have 20 hydro boats, classic cars and soapbox races. The main goal is to have a unique event that will bring more people in to Auburn. 4. Information Sharing • Event at the Pit with classic cars on July 17th. A Street will need to be closed and the adjacent parking lot would be used. They are planning to have a live band for the event. • Put on the next agenda: brainstorm ideas for the July 4th parade. • The Good OI' Days has a drive in theme this year. • Other events and shows happening include: ¦ Emerald Downs opens on April 18tH ¦ May 10th Clean Sweep. ¦ Petpalooza on May 31St ¦ Kids Day in June. ¦ July 4th parade. ¦ Auburn Regional Theater has Lend me a Tenor playing. ¦ Auburn Avenue Theater is promoting a new comedy night- check out on the City of Auburn's website. ¦ Complete works of William Shakespeare in June 8pm on Saturday & 2pm on Sunday. Visit www.auburnregionaltheatrer.orq to purchase tickets or at the door. • On the next agenda the Committee would like to have Shawn Hunstock come and give a financial report on the tax revenue upticks for hotel rooms. 5. Next Meeting • It was decided that the May meeting will be skipped because of Discover Auburn Week. If the subcommittee needs to meet a meeting will be called at that time. The next scheduled meeting will be on June 19, 2008 being hosted at the PIT. Adjournment at 3:30 p.m.