HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-11 Tourism Business Improvement District Minutes Tou rism Business Improvement District
Minutes of Meeting August 16, 2011
Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman Montana
Present: Daryl Schliem (Executive Director) Jim Robbins (Sales Development)
Board Members: Andrew Ash (vice chair), Lynn Bendz (sec), Tim Kuhlman (president),
Larry Lambert, Tom Stenzel(treas), Carl Solvie
Advisory Board Members: Melanie Stocks, Dan Martin
Public: Matt Sease (Bozeman Super 8), McKenzie Treiner (Residence Inn), Alexis Fowler
(Hilton), Tom Mazurek(Holiday Inn), Mike Scholz (Bucks T-4),
• Tim Kuhlman opened the meeting at 12:00pm, asking for any disclosures--none.
• Tim K. asked for any public comment --none.
• Approval of the last TBID meeting minutes were all voice approved.
• Larry Lambert and Carl Solvie were elected to 4 year terms at the recent city commission
meetings. Both gentlemen were warmly welcomed and pledged to do their best.
• Jim Robbins and Daryl Schliem presented a Balance Sheet as of July 31 showing assets of
$16,230. A budget was also presented, along with check registers and check photos. For
July we had $5836.32 in administrative expenses, and $12, 397.76 in marketing and
advertising.
• Jim Robbins said that overall motel occupancy for the period 7/1/2010 to 6/30/2011 was
60%, and the bed tax collected was $397,986.
• Jim presented the sales report and asked for approval of up to $33,900 for a dozen
conferences during the next year. Depending upon his experience and judgment, he may cut
a couple meetings out of the schedule and not need all of the money. Tom Stenzel made a
motion to approve up to that amount, and it was seconded by Carl Solvie. All voice
approved.
• Jim and Daryl requested up to $30,000 be set aside for the possibility of partnering with
some winter leisure business. We could partner with the state tourism board or Bridger Bowl,
among others. These events can spring up quickly and the need to wait for approval at the
next board meeting can be a critical delay. Carl Solvie made a motion to set aside up to
$30,000 to be used at Jim and Daryl's discretion this winter. 2'nd by Larry Lambert. All
voice approved.
• Jim said that our supply of meeting planners is getting low and he will need a new, updated
supply for the conferences this year. Lynn Bendz made a motion to spend $3,900 for the
printing costs, 2'nd by Larry Lambert, all voice approved.
• Daryl presented a packet requesting a feasibility study to see if Bozeman can support a
convention center and all the associated issues surrounding it. The packet will be sent to
appropriate firms across the country that do that type of study, and we will see what happens.
• Larry Lambert and Lynn Bendz are the committee to investigate a tiered bed tax fee
structure. They will meet with appropriate city officials and see if it possible to get it done.
• Mike Scholz of the Montana Lodging Hospitality Association gave a plea for financial
assistance to help spur an advertsing campaign to educate the legislators and public about the
vital importance of tourism to our state. The legislators are always trying to siphon away
some of our lodging tax money and put it into the general fund. But that money is expressly
collected to promote tourism--not to help balance spending in other areas. Great Falls and
Kalispell each gave $10,000 to the effort. Carl Solvie made a motion to contribute $10,000
to this effort, 2'nd by Tom Stenzel, all voice approved. Larry Lambert abstained due to a
conflict of interest.
• Their was no more business so the meeting adjourned on voice approval. Next meeting will
be September 13, 2011 and the one after that will be on October 11. Jim is traveling during
our normal meeting times, so we need to adjust the schedule.