HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-11-15 TDC MinutesST. LUCIE COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 ◊ 12:30 P.M.
MINUTES
Members present: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Chairman
Marilyn Minix, Roadrunner Travel Resort
Chris Egan, Vistana’s Beach Club – Sheraton PGA
Michelle MacNichol, Perfect Drive Golf Villas
Clive Daem, Dockside Inn
Commissioner Rufus Alexander, City of Fort Pierce
Paul Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets
Members absent: Vice-Mayor Linda Bartz, City of Port St. Lucie
Terissa Arronson, St. Lucie Co. Chambers
Staff present: Katherine Barbieri, St. Lucie County Attorney
Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County Tourism & Venues
Darius McPhall, St. Lucie County Tourism & Venues
Also present: Cindy Crowe, SLC Tax Collector
Wendy Browning, SLC Tax Collector
Rich Nalbandian, Treasure Coast Sports Commission
Laura O’Brien, PSL Civic Center
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Dzadovsky called the meeting to order at 12:38
PM.
2. ROLL CALL: Darius McPhall called roll.
3. GUESTS INTRODUCED THEMSELVES:
Guests introduced themselves.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from February 11, 2015 were approved.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comments.
6. FINANCIAL REPORT & WEB REPORT:
Charlotte Bireley reported that the tourist tax revenue for January 2015 was up
14% compared to January of 2014. Year to date revenues are up 9%. Charlotte also
explained the monthly P&L statement. Net amount was in the negative due to large
expenditures for the month which included the printing of the travel guides, 2
payments to the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and the billings of the
promotional advertisements. She explained that these expenditures are all budgeted
for the year.
Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ March 11, 2015
Charlotte then gave a brief explanation of the expense vs. revenue report. She
also pointed out again that the expenses were up due to the large monthly
expenditures.
Charlotte reported an increase in website activity of the St. Lucie County Tourism
web site for the month of February. She highlighted during the presentation that
bounce rate had also increased and she was working with the webmaster to
redevelop the site.
7. Treasure Coast Sports Commission-First Quarter Report:
Rich Nalbandian gave a brief introduction of himself and passed out the 2014-2015 1st
Quarter Recap sheets. He also stated that they had their first strategic planning meeting
and the meeting yielded a very productive results. On April 1ST the TCSC will be rolling
out their new logo and Rick Hatcher will be coming to do a presentation and unveiling of
the logo.
Nalbandian also stated that they are in the process of redesigning their website and
should have a snapshot of the new website at the next TDC meeting.
He then concluded the presentation with a look at the events that had received grants
and the impact each of the events had on Saint Lucie County’s economy.
Date Event Sport
Hotel
Room
Nights
Economic
Impact
Grant
Awarded
10/3-
4/2014
$100,000 NVL Players
Championship
Sand
Volleyball 585
$
120,772.00 4000
10/23-
26/2014
Prospect Wire Fall National
Championship Baseball 473
$
628,363.00 4000
10/24-
26/2014
Baseball Youth Fall
Championship Baseball 104
$
53,110.00 750
11/1-
2/2014
Florida State PAL Boxing
Championship Boxing 248
$
98,830.00 1500
11/7-8 &
14-15/2014
FHSAA Swimming and
Diving Finals Swimming 237
$
91,400.00
12/6-
7/2014
USA Junior Olympics
Sailing Festival Sailing 16
Totals 1663
$
992,475.00
$
10,250.00
8. Upcoming FAM Tours:
Charlotte first gave a summary of the FAM tour that was approved last fiscal
year. Then she explained that the requirements of being qualified to take part in the
tour. Next she gave the itinerary of the proposed FAM tour starting Thursday, June 11,
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Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ March 11, 2015
2015 through Sunday, June 14th 2015. A kick off tour at the Bass Pro Shop in Port Saint
Lucie is scheduled. Then a welcome reception is planned overlooking the inlet in Fort
Pierce. Afterwards a tour of all the marine facilities, marinas and tackle shops and
everything that makes a fishing trip successful. That evening a reception dinner is
planned at Sailfish Brewery and a wrap up of the night with evening fishing on the Fort
Pierce Lady. The next morning is off shore deep sea fishing with local private charters
for an all-day fishing excursion. Later that evening dinner at Cobbs Landing. Then
culminating on Sunday with inshore fishing excursions.
9. National Tourism Week, May 2-9:
Charlotte Bireley provided the TDC board with the frame work of national tourism
week. Bireley stated, that we are partnering with the local chamber and Hotel/lodging
association and having a kickoff event where we will present a tourism champion of
the year.
The two key events of tourism week will be the Tourism Showcase at the Fenn
Center which will take the place of the Chamber Bash and the other key event will be
the HOA presentation of scholarships and state of tourism.
.
10. Other Business:
Commissioner Dzadovsky gave an update on webcams. He stated that it is now
in City Manager and Attorney office and the major issue is a line being ran that will
give remote access.
He also stated that we are moving to adding social media to our tourism
promotional advertising campaign. Dzadovsky also stated that by adding this new
technology we are able to connect to people and give/receive information in more
real time measures.
It was also mentioned about the SKA fishing tournament and the impact the
tournament would have on the economy. Commissioner Dzadovsky also stated that
we should possibly look into possibly purchasing, the tournament and making it a
local tournament. In addition, he stated that maybe the Bass Pro Shop would be
interested in purchasing the tournament and making it a national event.
.
11. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 1:35 PM.
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