Tourism Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Delaware Economic Development Office
Large Conference Room
Dover, Delaware
Attendance
Linda Parkowski (Board Member)Tom McCarthy (DTO)
Norma Lee Derrickson (Board Member)Tim Morgan (DTO)
Barbara Benson (Board Member) (Absent)Dina Reider (DTO)
George Fiorile (Board Member)Ross Tyler (DTO)
Mike Schwartz (Board Member) (Absent)Cheryl Lahman (DTO) Xavier Teixido (Board Member) Cindy Small (Guest)
Sarah Willoughby (Guest)
The meeting of the Tourism Advisory Board was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman Linda Parkowski
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the meeting held September 11, 2007 were reviewed and approved.
Hotel Occupancy and PAT Report
The decline of Hotel Occupancy was a topic of concern for TAB. It was noted that the conversion from hotels to condominiums are affecting the decline in PAT revenues that are brought into the state. It was suggested that a marketing campaign needs to be development in coordination with the Dina; Tim; TAB; CVB’s; GWCVB and DHLA. A strategic TAB marketing meeting will be scheduled to address the hotel occupancy decline.
Tim Morgan submitted the PAT report to the Board members with the latest figures do date.
DEDO Administration Presentation – Budget
Cheryl Lahman presented a review of the Tourism Budget and expenditures
Tourism Enhancement Bill
Linda Parkowski updated the TAB in regards to the Tourism Enhancement Bill for general information only.
I-95 WelcomeCenter
Another RFP has been sent out in regards to the I-95 Welcome Center. Previously it has only been promoted locally. Delaware would like to find a company that will showcase Delaware and bring visitors back.
Special Events
A list of events that DEDO is working on to bring to Delaware are listed below:
McDonalds LPGA – Attempting to bring this event back to Delaware.
Point to Point
Paintball Event
Pro-Beach Volleyball and Skin Boarding Event – 2nd week of June at Dewey Beach.
Governor’s Tourism Summit Update
The date for the Governors Tourism Summit has been secured for April 17th, 2008. The Save the Date cards will go out using several media means such as: E-mail, newsletters, card mail-outs etc. Links to the CVB’s will also be utilized. At this time DEDO is in negotiations to secure a Delaware band called “Crash Motive” out of Newark to play at the event. This year participants will be able to pay for their registration fee online.
Global Insight
DEDO has contracted with Global Insight to conduct a tourism satellite account research report on the economic impact of tourism on the State. This contract also includes the purchase of the model used for this research so that future reports can be produced out of our office. Query of rental units will available for 2006 – 2007, however 2008 forward will need to be surveyed due to changes.
Marketing Unit Update – Dina
Dina Reider gave an update and overview of the Marketing Campaign that is currently in place. The advertising plan shows the cost and timeline involved for each campaign as well as what type of campaign ie magazine, radio, television, etc.
Public Comment
None
New Business
No
TAB 2007-2008 Meeting Schedule
The next TAB Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Delaware Economic Development Office, Horizon Room (LCR).
January 3 – TAB Strategic Meeting
January 15 – Quarterly TAB Meeting 10:00 to 11:30, Dover, LCR
March 25 - Quarterly TAB Meeting 10:00 to 11:30, Dover, LCR
June 11 - Quarterly TAB Meeting 12:00 to 1:30, Lunch Meeting, Dover, LCR
October 7 - Quarterly TAB Meeting 10:00 to 11:30, Dover, LCR
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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