HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-13-2008
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY ? February 13, 2008 ? 12:30 P.M.
MINUTES
Members present:
Commissioner Doug Coward, Chairman
Marilyn Minix, Road Runner Travel Resort
Chris Egan, Sheraton’s PGA Vacation Resort at PGA Village
Pail Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets
Pam Haney, Holiday Inn Express
Diann McDonough, The PGA Golf Club
Members absent:
Councilwoman Michelle Berger, Port St. Lucie
Commissioner Christine Coke, Fort Pierce
Simmie Burns, Southern Oak Middle School
Staff present:
Odaly Victorio, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
Heather Lueke, Assistant County Attorney
Ja’ Net Pentz, Recording Secretary
Also present:
Jill Hansen, Hansen Marketing Group, LLC
Rich Nalbandion, Treasure Coast Sports Commission
George Byfield, Blair Advertising
Loretta Dilion, St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce
Ruth McSween, National Navy SEAL Museum
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Commissioner Coward called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
Ja’ Net Pentz called roll.
3. SELF INTRODUCATION OF GUESTS:
Attending guests identified themselves.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 9, 2008 MEETING.
Christopher Egan motioned to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded
by Marilyn Minix. The motion carried unanimously.
5. PRESENTATION BY BLAIR ADVERTISING
6. UPDATE ON CURRENT REVENUE STATUS
Tourist Development Council Meeting ? February 13, 2008
Revenue for December 2007 was not available at time of packet creation, but should
be by meeting time.
According to Smith Travel this calendar year’s occupancy rate is down 12.8% to
56.1%. They reported the month of December was down .4% to 46.4% from 46.8%
in December 2006. In the last calendar year the average daily rate has declined by
2.5% to an average daily rate of $92.85 in St. Lucie County.
7. MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORT
Advertising Report:
Ongoing:
-Visit Florida’s Official Vacation Guide (400k circ) (new copy started
distribution in January)
-Welcome Center Brochure Distribution
-Visit Florida’s International Planner (100k circ) (co-op with Martin & Indian
River Counties)
Since January:
-Interactive Campaign (keyword/sponsored searches) started in December.
-Visit Florida web banner started running in January until we reach 350k
impressions
-Play Florida Golf program begins which includes brochure distribution at
various tradeshows. Show cities in January included: Columbus &
Cincinnati. This program includes a two-page spread ad with an
additional page of advertorial and a web banner on the playfla.com
website.
-St. Lucie County Chamber Annual Guide
Upcoming:
-Interactive Campaign continues.
rd
-Echo Encounters issue is released on March 3 to 200k instate readers.
This is a co-op with Martin and Indian River Counties.
th
-Attendance at Boston Globe Travel Show February 22-24.
nd
-Attendance at New York Times Travel Show February 29-March 2.
Marketing & Public Relations Report:
In mid-January, we again hosted the authors of Drive I-95. A room was generously
comped by the Fort Pierce Hampton Inn & Suites and we hosted their dinner at
Domenick’s Corner Bar & Grill in Fort Pierce.
The County hosted the first Treasure Coast International Film Festival in early
February that had over 1,200 participants with over 30 confirmed room nights and
immeasurable exposure to our area to up and coming filmmakers.
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Tourist Development Council Meeting ? February 13, 2008
A documentary, “Ways to Save the Planet” returned to film another segment of the
production (third time). In mid-February we are expecting to have a County Music
video shoot in various locations in the County.
Press releases circulated in the New York and Boston area have generated interest.
Already three appointments for interviews are set and various others are in the
works. Al’s Family Farms has graciously agreed to ship oranges for our use when
making these sales calls.
8. OTHER BUSINESS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Jill Hansen from the Hansen Marketing Group made a presentation about the
Business Travel Planner provided for free by the Hotels.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
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