HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-10 Tourism Business Improvement District Minutes
Tourism Business Improvement District
Minutes of Meeting October 13, 2010
Chamber of Commerce Building, Bozeman Montana
Present: Daryl Schliem (Executive Director) Jim Robbins (Sales Development)
Board Members: Andrew Ash, Lynn Bendz (sec), Tim Kuhlman (president), Carl Solvie, Steve Sparks,
Advisory Board Members: Chris Mehl
Public: Larry Lambert (Bozeman Super 8), Terra Corsadden (La Quinta), Sandra Hodge (Homewood Suites)
Pam Gosink (MT Office Tourism), Sue Shockley (Gallatin County Fairgrounds)
Tim Kuhlman opened the meeting at noon asking for any disclosures and there were none.
He then asked for any public comment and Larry Lambert said that several motels had expressed concern
about reporting monthly revenue figures to the TBID. Who gets to see the information? Is it secure or
will everyone learn about their income and occupancy records? Jim Robbins responded that only he and
Daryl Schliem ever see the rental figures--no one else period. However, Larry suggested that perhaps if
monthly sales figures are so important, that we purchase a customized STAR report showing the
Bozeman motel rentals. Much discussion. In the end Jim Robbins said that no motel will be penalized
for just reporting their quarterly occupancy figures instead of the monthly ones requested on the TBID
quarterly tax forms.
Pam Gosink of the Montana Office of Tourism gave a 50 minute presentation on branding Montana by
using consistent advertising points.
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Jim Robbins reported that based upon the figures he had received from the motels, that during the 1 12
months of our existence, revenue was projected to be $390,000, and motel occupancy average was 58%.
A motion by Andrew Ash, seconded by Steve Sparks, to reimburse the Tournament Committee for the loan
they gave us last spring to buy directors’ liability insurance.
Jim Robbins reported that he had attended the first semiannual state TBID board meeting. This is an
organization of all the state TBID’s and he had found it useful and informative.
We all have had a sample of the proposed grant application form. Lynn Bendz made a motion to accept as
is, seconded by Andrew Ash, and voice approved. The form will be given to certain organizations seeking
funds from the TBID.
There was consideration of a motion to institute a $500 late fee for any motel not reporting on time, to set a
default occupancy rate of 90% for non reporting motels, and to allow a 30 day grace period. Much
discussion followed but eventually Carl Solvie made a motion to accept the motion as written, seconded by
Lynn Bendz, and all voice approved.
Daryl Schliem requested authority to spend up to $500 without TBID approval for sudden or unexpected
expenses during the course of business. Each check will still have two signatures. Motion to approve by
Steve Sparks, seconded by Carl Solvie, all voice approved.
Sue Shockley of the Fairgrounds presented for 25 minutes about the expansion plans they have developed.
It includes an event center and several new outbuildings. Everyone agreed that any increase in fairground
attendance would immediately result in more motel room rentals. Sue was requesting $5000 for partial
funding of business plan development. Larry Lambert mentioned that this type of funding request was a
slippery slope: that numerous other entities would request money too. However, everyone on the TBID
board felt it to be a very proper venue for our money and Steve Sparks made a motion to approve the
funding, seconded by Carl Solvie, and all voice approved.
Jim Robbins requested $4500 to attend the Religious Managers Conference Association in Tampa Bay
Florida. Jim could develop some Bozeman business out of this trip, so a motion to approve was made by
Steve Sparks, seconded by Andrew Ash, all voice approved.
Jim Robbins said that we need a presentation booth for setup at conferences. This would include a roll up
vertical banner and a logo design. This is a needed investment for all our future conferences. Motion to
approve up to $3000 for said manufacture made by Lynn Bendz, seconded by Carl Solvie, all voice
approved.
Jim requested $295 to fund a listing in a sports destination magazine. A motion to approve was made by
Carl Solvie, seconded by Andrew Ash, all voice approved.
Jim also said we need to design a meeting planner brochure that we can give to conference planners who
are coming to Bozeman. Lynn Bendz made a motion to spend up to $1000 for said purpose, seconded by
Carl Solvie, all voice approved.
A request to fund Bridger Bowl with $5000 to promote ski packages was tabled until we can hear from a
Bridger Bowl spokesperson.
A discussion of the idea of having the president of the Bozeman/Belgrade Motel Hotel Association being a
permanent member of the TBID board followed. Since the president of that association would eventually
be a Belgrade motel representative, it was agreed that they could never be given a permanent rotating seat:
the Bozeman City Commission who appoints our members would never allow it. So that really put an end
to the idea.
Motion to adjourn was at 2:10pm and all approved.