HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-14 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBozeman Tourism Business Improvement District
Minutes of Meeting January 28, 2014
Chamber of Commerce Building, Bozeman, Montana
Present: Daryl Schliem (Executive Director)
TBID Board
Members: Andrew Ash, Tim Kuhlman, Carl Solvie, Benno Garwood, Sandra Hodge, Larry Lambert
Advisory Members: Matt Sease (Super 8/BBLA), Jeff Krauss (City Commission Liason)
Public:
Lisa Sabena (Lewis and Clark), Elias Harmon (C’Mon Inn), Flying Horse Communications, Asian Group, Holiday Inn Express DOS, few others
At 12:02pm, the TBID Meeting was called to order
Introductions
Review of Roberts Rules of Orders was mentioned, but not discussed due to the absence of Tom Stenzel
Disclosures – There were none
Motion to approve minutes from previous meeting was
given by Sandra, seconded by Andrew. Approved unanimously
Public Comment – Matt Sease handed out a letter to the Board on behalf of the BBLA. It dealt with the BBLAs concern over the
search for a new TBID Marketing Director to replace Jim Robbins, who resigned approximately 13 months ago. Matt indicated that the BBLA felt there was a need to fill this position as
soon as possible, especially considering the possible pending increase of the TBID assessment. Matt Sease also spoke on the importance of marketing the TBID. He handed out a few things,
one of them being a thank you from the Bozeman Ice Festival to all their sponsors – the Bozeman TBID was not included in their sponsor list, despite the $5,000 the TBID gave them. Also
included was samples of other TBIDs in the state being recognized. Matt said many of the things the TBID does goes unrecognized, and felt the TBID needs to get the word out about the
many positive things the TBID is doing.
Flying Horse Communications gave a marketing update. They presented a PowerPoint presentation on the impact they have been seeing with their
marketing efforts. They showed some data regarding digital advertising, pay per click, print advertising and social media, and presented some photos and videos they produced dealing
with a family partaking in various activities around the Bozeman area while utilizing the “Only
in Bozeman” tagline. This will be put on the Bozeman CVB website, as well as other places for their warm weather campaign.
The grant application from the Bozeman Rail Jam was tabled
until the next meeting. There was no representative from the Bozeman Rail Jam in attendance, and many on the board had some clarifying questions.
Daryl gave the financial report. Motion
to approve by Andrew, second by Tim. Motion passed unanimously.
Daryl gave a quick update of the Convention Center process. The city commission is recommending a target date of July
1, 2014 to have the TBID assessment increased, and the steps necessary to make that happen were lined out. Ownership options for the land and building are still being discussed. The
creek can be re-routed, and has been done in the past for previous projects. The city would also like to clean up the “back alley” between the convention center and neighboring hotels.
Daryl discussed the Chicago IPW event that will be held Apr. 5-9 in Chicago, IL. This is a large show geared towards the international market.
Daryl gave an update on airlines. Bozeman
was the busiest airport in the state in 2013, and should continue to grow as other airlines and destinations are added into the Bozeman market.
There was a lengthy non-agenda public
comment that took place regarding a marketing person and what the BBLA would like to see in a marketing person.
Daryl mentioned that he was contacted by Sports Destinations Magazine
regarding advertising in their publication. Missoula TBID has been advertising in this, so they thought it may be a good fit for Bozeman. More information will be presented as it is
gathered.
Daryl began a discussion to determine the interest of the board in pursuing the bird watching market. The average bird watcher is fairly affluent and peak bird watching season
is during Bozeman’s shoulder seasons. The board seemed to be in agreement that it would be worth seeing if there were and good avenues that could be explored in an effort to capture
a part of that market.
There was no other business.
Motion to adjourn by Tim, second by Andrew. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1:51 pm