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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.09.2001 (4)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 9, 2001 3:15 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Krizek, Gronen, Getty. Members absent: Jordan, Murphy, Berry. Moved by Getty, seconded by Gronen that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Jordan, Murphy, Berry. Motion carried. Martha Place, Executive Director of the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented a report to the council. Ms. Place stated that the primary mission of the Convention & Visitors Bureau is to market the City of Waterloo as a destination for meeting planners, group tour planners, sports planners and leisure travelers. The Bureau does this by attending trade shows, making sales calls and through advertising and public relations efforts. Ms. Place reported the Bureau has a staff of four full time employees: an Executive Director, Group Tour/Reunions Manager, Convention/Sports Marketing Manager and an Administrative Assistant. Staff attends trade shows, makes sales calls and sends information to meeting planners to entice them in to bringing their conference or convention to Waterloo. The primary meeting space is the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The Best Western Starlite is another. The Bureau promotes Hawkeye Community College, National Cattle Congress, Allen College, the Center for the Arts and the Grout Museum as alternative meeting sites. Although the Bureau has seen a slight decrease in the convention/meeting business the past few years, they seem to be seeing an increase in bookings for the next few years. Last year, the Bureau hosted 47 conventions and meetings that generated over 7,000 room nights. Ms. Place reported that the Cedar Valley continues to serve as a popular site for motorcoach tours. The Bureau knows of at least 47 tours to the area this past year, 12 of which were overnight tours. These groups visited the Grout Museum, the Museum of Art, Heritage Farms and the John Deere facilities. The groups were from such states as Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, California, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. Ms. Place stated that sports has been and continues to be a very lucrative market for the area. Important contacts have been made with Black Hawk Area Swim Club, Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association, Cedar Falls Raceway, Waterloo Softball Association and numerous others. This past year, Cedar Valley hosted over 45 tournaments/events that generated over 11,000 room nights. Ms. Place reported that the leisure travelers are those who visit our parks, bike trails, golf courses and lakes, among other activities. The Bureau advertises in Midwest Living, Home and Away, Better Homes and .Gardens, the Iowan, and the Iowa Vacation Guide. This is one of the most difficult markets to track for economic impact. The Bureau responded to 8,660 requests for information and had 878,840 hits to their website. Ms. Place reported that 772,000 persons visited George Wyth State Park, 145,000 rounds of golf were played at Waterloo courses, and 22,791 persons camped at Blackhawk County Conservation area facilities. Ms. Place stated that Bureau staff plans to attend the following trade shows this year: National Tour Association (NTA), Group Leaders of America (Glamer), National Association Sports Commissioners (NASC), American Softball Association (ASA) Annual Meeting, Minnesota Golf Show, Chicago Golf Show and affordable meetings. Ms. Place reported she is currently serving as Vice President of the Iowa Convention & Visitors Bureau Association. The Bureau also attends the Iowa Society of Association Executives Council Work Session July 9, 2001 Page 2 monthly meetings, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, Tourism Legislative Day, Cedar Valley Legislative Day, Iowa Tourism Conference, and Iowa State Fair. Ms. Place stated that we continue to see an increase in hotel/motel tax revenues. This past year the city collected $751,044.68 in hotel/motel tax revenues, an increase of 8 percent over the previous year. The funds were distributed as follows: City of Waterloo Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center $150,000 Hotel/Motel Tax Grants $100,000 Discretionary Funds $ 99,000 Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau $349,000 Ms. Place reported that a portion of hotel/motel tax revenues collected goes toward the Hotel/Motel Tax Grant. This $100,000 is used to fund various projects and events sponsored by local attractions and organizations. This past year, a sub -committee of CVB Board members and City Council Members re -wrote the grant application. It was decided that grant moneys would only be used for marketing and promotion outside of Blackhawk County, and that the maximum amount awarded per grant would be $7,500. Ms. Place stated that groups regularly contact the Bureau asking for funds to help with mailings, advertising, sponsorships, or various other types of marketing. If the group has a legitimate history and is using hotel rooms in Waterloo, the Bureau rarely turns them down. Ms. Place explained the formula when granting funds to these groups. Ms. Place stated that since 99 percent of the Bureau's budget comes from hotel/motel tax revenue, the Bureau's top priority is generating even more hotel/motel tax revenue. Ms. Place stated the City Council may choose to look at quality of life and other issues when distributing their discretionary funds. In answer to a question from Councilperson Getty, Ms. Place stated that soccer has not yet generated heads on beds, but that will change. Ms. Place stated a soccer tournament to be held in September could use 200 to 400 beds. Ms. Place stated we have a beautiful soccer complex that can compete with others in the state and we have volunteers to help. Ms. Place stated that places such as the Arboretum, the Grout Museum, and the Center For The Arts are important because when the Bureau is trying to attract conventions to come to town, the questions after hotels and meals is what else is there to do in Waterloo. Mayor Rooff stated that through the years the city has supported the Arts, and we want to make sure they are all able to survive. Mayor Rooff commented that the council will continue to have their worked cut out for them concerning the use of the discretionary hotel/motel funds. In answer to a question from Mayor Rooff, Ms. Place stated that she is showing 150 rooms reserved for those attending the Iowa Open, although that is not a firm figure. Ms. Place stated that registration is' at an all time high this year, and that many individuals stay through the Waterloo Open. Councilperson Anders stated that for three or four years the Municipal Band requested $2,000 to $3,000 and now they are up to $20,000. Councilperson Anders stated they do not put many heads on beds, but it is more of a quality of life issue. Mayor Rooff stated that the city could levy for the band as the City of Cedar Falls. Councilperson Anders commented he would like to see the Municipal Band perform their concerts at different locations throughout the city. Mayor Rooff stated we would probably need a portable stage in order for the band to play at different locations. • • Council Work Session July 9, 2001 Page 3 • • Councilperson Anders stated that if the discretionary funds increase, the council needs to wisely use the money. Councilperson Getty stated he would like to discuss the Iowa Open. Councilperson Getty stated he talked with Don Hoth and they would like $20,000 of the discretionary hotel/motel funds for the Iowa Open. Councilperson Getty stated they have raised $43,600 and are counting on the $20,000. Councilperson Getty stated that in discussions with the council, the council thought it would be a good thing to do as it puts heads on bed. Councilperson Getty stated that this year two major sponsors dropped out of the Iowa Open. Councilperson Getty stated that he would like to amend tonight's council agenda to approve the $20,000 for the Iowa Open. Councilperson Getty stated he committed $20,000 to the Iowa Open based on discussions he had with Council Members. Councilperson Krizek stated that because of the circumstances we could approve $20,000 to the Iowa Open, but they need to understand it is a one-time offer. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Gronen that the meeting be adjourned at 3:56 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Jordan, Murphy, Berry. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk