HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-11 Tourism Business Improvement District Minutes.docMinutes of Meeting
Tourism Business Improvement District
Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman, MT
March 1, 2011
Present: Daryl Schliem (Executive Director) Jim Robbins (Sales Development)
Board Members: Andrew Ash (v president), Lynn Bendz (sec), Carl Solvie, Tom Stenzel (treasurer)
Advisory Board Members: Chris Mehl , Larry Lambert, Melanie Stocks, Dan Martin
Public: Terra Corscadden ( LaQuinta), Jeremy Fatouros (C’mon Inn), Joe Josephson ( Ice Climbing Festival), Murray Steinman (Flying Horse Comm.), Toni Lee (MSU-Conf. Service)
Andrew Ash opened the meeting at noon, asking for any disclosures. Jim Robbins said he had called each board member in advance to provide background info about today’s agenda.
Andrew A. asked for any public comment and there was none.
The minutes from the last meeting were approved on a motion by Lynn Bendz, 2nded by Tom Stenzel.
Melanie Stocks, MSU Conference Bigwig, said that ticket sales for the Class C basketball tournaments occurring on the next 2 weekends are very strong and indicate a lot of enthusiasm.
She mentioned that volunteer ushers and ticket takers are still needed.
Tom Stenzel explained the financial report. The July ‘10 to Feb ‘11 year to date budget shows income of $326,092.00 and expenses of $306,116.64, leaving an income item of $19,975.36.
Tom and Daryl Schliem answered questions about some expense items, and ended by saying they were confident that our financial shape is secure. A motion to approve the financial budget
made by Carl Solvie, 2nded by Lynn Bendz, all voice approved.
Daryl asked the direction the TBID board would like to take in the question of whether Bozeman should have a conference center. Yes--everyone wants a conference center, if its free,
but the higher the cost the less unanimous is the vote. Daryl said he could partner with several other businesses, with the Chamber of Commerce, to rent space in the new building and
that would help defray the ongoing operating expenses. In the end, we all agreed Daryl should keep exploring funding and partnerships with other businesses.
Jim Robbins asked for a motion to spend up to $25,000 more money on a meeting planner to hand out at the conferences he attends, and a sales/presentation booth. We had already approved
some money for these same projects, but the cost has increased due to a higher level of sophistication. Jim Steinman from Flying Horse Communications explained in detail Jim’s need
for a convention guide, meeting planner, and booth. Tom Stenzel made a motion to spend up to $25,000 with Flying Horse Communications to accomplish this task. This was 2nded by Carl
Solvie, and all voice approved.
Joe Josephson asked for $10,000 to market the Bozeman Ice Festival scheduled for Dec 7-11, 2011. He explained that this event could generate up to 1500 room nights for us, and that
if he is successful in promoting Bozeman for a world ice climbing festival in 2013, there would be lots more. The December time period for motels is generally very slow, so this would
be very beneficial for us. Joe said they are also going to build an ice climbing tower at the fairgrounds, and other groups could use it year round. A motion to approve the $10,000
made by Lynn Bendz, 2nded by Tom Stenzel, all voice approved.
Toni Lee of MSU conference services said she had an opportunity to bid on a large religious conference that would occur sometime in July 2012. But she also said that, before bidding,
she would need a commitment from us that we would spend up to $15000.00 on transportation costs, and offer a large block of rooms at $85 or less. This item is on next meetings agenda.
A motion by Carl Solvie to postpone to our next meeting discussion of the remaining agenda items --the 2012/2013 Fly Fishing Event and Rocky Mountain International Report. 2nded by
Andrew Ash, all approved.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30pm