Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau
Board of Directors Meeting/General Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Runway Restaurant & Sports Grille
In attendance:
Kathy Allen, Armstrong Farms
Larry Berg, Maridon Museum
Dan Bickel, Moraine State Park
Wayne Conley, Conley Resort
Jackie Gillespie-Ralston, Pittsburgh Marriott North
Bob McCafferty, North Country Brewing Co.
Ed Tanski, Buttercup Woodlands Campground
Ed Wadding, Butler Arts Council
Jim Zanella, North Washington Rodeo
Jack Cohen, BCTCB
Sara Faletti, BCTCB
Joey Hamilton, BCTCB
Visitors:
Clarence Anderson, Saxonburg Historical & Restoration Commission
Clint Champagne, Champagne Appraisal Services
Cindy Dezutti, Airquest Aviation
Paul Egbert, Wind & Water Boatworks
Bruce Larsen, Hamister Hospitality
Gert Soursa, Slippery Rock Business Association
Paul Soursa, Slippery Rock Business Association
Todd Wehr, Bear Run Campground
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 AM by Wayne Conley.
Approval of Minutes:
It was moved and seconded by Larry and Ed to accept the minutes; the motion carried.
Financial Report: Ed Tanski
Ed reported we are $12,000 over our projected budget, which means we’re up 12% for the fiscal year.
Expenditures are 4% in the red, but there are no complaints as we have had unforeseen expenses such as the garage.
Overall, Ed is happy with the budget and applauded the staff.
It was moved and seconded by Ed and Bob to file the report for audit; the motion carried.
Visitors Comments:
None
Staff Report: Jack Cohen
Jack gave an update on the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. We have over 350 registrants and only one paid ad in circulation thus far. The hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds are filling up and we have asked the hotels to expand the room blocks. Someone is even bringing a Jeep from India!
Ed Tanksi added that his cabins are full and the RV spaces are heavily booked.
We have over $60,000 in sponsorships. Sponsors include Butler Memorial Hospital, Nemacolin Woodlands, Butler Eagle, Jeep, Quadritech, Northwest Savings Bank and 4 Wheel Drive. We also have about half a dozen new members resulting from the Jeep Festival.
The festival is growing well and there will be some big announcements soon.
Larry asked if we will try to promote tours of downtown Butler. We will send out lists of people coming in.
Patti Jo is working on a meeting for the community in April.
Jack also reported on his trip to Harrisburg the last 3 ½ days. Many other associations have a flatlined budget. We need to work together. PACVB will serve as a talking point.
Mrs. Corbett was they keynote speaker. Jack believes she truly understands tourism.
Our funding was cut since we still receive funds from the bed tax. At the strategic planning meeting at the end of the month, the board will discuss how to use our funding. Luckily we were prepared and BCTCB is still doing well. The staff is keeping busy and is excited for the future.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Jack shared some positive feedback Patti Jo received from a Jeep Festival vendor, as well as STAR reports with regional statistics of hotel rooms.
Bob shared that the Slippery Rock hotel will not be ready for April. The projected completion date is now May. The new Candlewood Suites in Cranberry is expected to open in July.
Ed Wadding asked if the Route 356 project was in Butler County. Yes it is, down in the bottom corner. A Hampton Inn is in the works.
Jack mentioned the Centre City Project for downtown Butler. This will be a two-floor office building with an outdoor courtyard. Landmark is doing the work. If they can fill the rental spaces, they will begin construction.
Jackie said they’re moving ground for a hotel on Franklin Road and Marriott should have an announcement soon, but is hesitant due to the disaster in Japan. There is talk of stopping nuclear growth. Westinghouse is quietly watching the situation and we should, too. The effects of this will affect many countries and industries and we should be careful. JASP is collecting donations through Brothers Brothers. They will be in our thoughts, prayers and business plans.
The annual strategic planning meeting will be held on Thursday, March 31st, 9:00 AM at the Pittsburgh Marriott North.
Larry will be moderating a Marcellus Shale meeting at Seneca Valley also on March 31st, put together by Representatives Ellis and Stevenson. BCTCB sponsored the Marcellus Shale events held at BC3 and Sandy was there to represent us. She talked to many businesses and municipalities. There were over 200 people in attendance and asked good, solid questions.
Todd Wehr announced that three of our member campgrounds (Bear Run, Kozy Rest and Rose Point Park) will be featured on a seven-minute segment on KDKA. The segment will be filmed on Tuesday and air on Friday the 25th.
Dan gave an update on State Park Funding. The general fund is down 29% (82 million to 58 million) but the difference will be made up with funding from Marcellus Shale, so they’re in better shape than most parks. This seems controversial, but they’re not actually drilling in state parks and if the money is going to go somewhere in the government, it may as well benefit the park.
Jim added that they will not be drilling on the rodeo grounds, but there is a lease.
Kathy met Bill McCarrier (candidate for commissioner) and had a worthwhile talk. She shared that we are doing well. It was discuss that we should ask what stance potential candidates take on tourism, as well as educate them. We should send packets to all candidates. Larry added that we should also share this information with the board in case they have any personal contacts.
Ed Wadding shared that the museums and historical societies took a 3% budget cut.
We received $0, but the state has $3.2 million to share for tourism. This is down from $11 million last year. Pennsylvania TPAs will be forming groups to determine statewide spending. Tourism as an industry needs to be more organized and partner with transportation, dining facilities, etc. If we’re not busy, they’re not. For every dollar spent on advertising, there is a $7 return on investment. That’s 700% and we need the government to understand that!
Jack shared the latest issue of Long Weekends magazine which as a readership of 300,000. Butler County was featured throughout the magazine, some of which was paid advertising and some not. Larry was thankful for an article on the Maridon Museum.
Jackie asked when our Girlfriends Getaway sweepstakes ends. It will end on Friday.
Leigh is on vacation, so Sara is filling in as note-taker.
Both Jack and Todd discussed other states teaming up among the tourism industry. We should use the groups that we’re all a part of to help spread the word statewide.
Other funding cuts were discussed. For Wayne and golfing, the budget has gone from $100,000 to $50,000 to $70,000, down to $0. Campgrounds, non-profits and museums all received no funding. We fully understand that funding for schools and medical care is needed, but the government needs to understand our return on investment. For example, Colorado stopped receiving state funding and dropped from #1 to #17! We are still doing well though because we were aware of the situation.
Notebooks with newspaper clippings and advertisements were passed around. Larry asked for a summary of publications. Jack noted that this information can be found in our newsletter.
It was suggested that for our next general membership meeting the board members should urge their group members to attend. Out of about 280 members, we only have a small number of people to attend.
Clarence commended Wayne for his article in the March newsletter. He was surprised by the amount of traffic Conley Resort received from tourism.
Jack said we were asked why we weren’t at the Toronto Golf Show. It was due to financial reasons, but we should try to attend next year. The Pittsburgh Golf Show was extra busy and we have given out about 2,500 golf cards this year already.
Adjournment:
It was moved and seconded by Kathy and Ed Wadding to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 AM. The motion carried.
(Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 21, 9AM in the BCTCB Office.)
And just a reminder:
Strategic Planning Meeting
Pittsburgh Marriott North
Thursday, March 31st
9:00 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Faletti