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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-01 Tourism Commission Minutes TOURISM COMMISSION and RIVERSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINT MEETING RIVERSIDE, MISSOURI Monday, November 01, 2016, 7:00 a.m. The Tourism Commission for the City of Riverside, Missouri, met in regular session with the Riverside Chamber of Commerce at the Community Center, Riverside, Missouri. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 am. Answering roll call were Commissioners Jennifer Goering, Lori Locke, and Julie Rule. Also present were Board liaison Alderman Frank Biondo, City staff members Mayor Kathy Rose, City Administrator Greg Mills, Lori Boji and Stacey Rasco, (recorder). Also in attendance were the Chamber members, April Roberson, Greg Personelli, Kelly , John , Collaboratively discuss Mayor Rose noted that we had Riverfest this year and Tourism was best ways to identify and pulled in from over 18 states. There were 8 tickets sold on support events which Ticketmaster to Riverside residents. increase tourism within the City Tickets sold the last 3 days before the event. Goal was 2000, only sold around 300. It also rained almost every day before the event. Only 8- 10 people stayed at Argosy. A suggestion was to move the stage to the other side of the park in case of rain. Riverfest, the festival part of it…the first part, did not produce people. We got behind in marketing as this was our first year doing this on our own. Signage was late, flyers were late. We did a ton of social media and there could be more money behind that. The website was late in having to switch from the old site to the new. It was a big learning curve this year for the Chamber. The biggest piece is identifying the main act in advance and being able to fund it. Conducted a recap meeting with the city and would like to move forward with MusicFest and split the RiverFest event with the city. The focus of the city would be the music part. Mayor Rose noted that the community has asked for the old time event, where they could come play all day for free. This can no longer be a free event. Maybe this is a time that we separate the event. Chamber does the MusicFest and the city does ice cream socials, and community events. We don’t want to spend $25,000 for an event that folks will not attend because there are soccer games. The Board needs to help determine what they want for their wards. How is Tourism involved in the next generation? Greg Mills noted that we need to look at how we can change the focus and bring people to the city. City will have money put aside at the next budget year to help support events in the city for things like Public Works and Police involvement. No one is utilizing the park. The city spends a lot of money to maintain the park. The Mayor would like to put together an Arts Commission for arts events, sculptures, etc. with several locations that we can use. There are many arts festivals around the area. This would be commission people to do art. Blue Springs has a great program. These would be stationary things within the city. Commissioner Jennifer Goering noted that the challenge is the marketing to that hard to find place. With limited dollars we need to think big to get people to come here. Mayor Rose noted that the trail system brings many into the area. There were many on Saturday morning at 9am on the trails. This would be a new offering, sculpture and art on the trails. Tourism needs to think bigger. Mr. Mills noted that from the staffing side we do want to think bigger and he encouraged Tourism to start doing that as well. This commission was not developed to be a perpetual support of events. Mayor Rose suggested ideas for allocating tourism funds. Would like to see Arts commission or exercise stations along the trails. Mentioned building a complex for soccer or lacrosse. Is E. H. Young park large enough to accommodate a complex? Commissioner Goering stated that we need to think big when planning a project such as a soccer complex. Asked if community is planning any events on the river? Mayor Rose asked what we can do to drive people to the park. We see a lot of people fishing. It was asked if the Chamber tapped into the Argosy market and promoted Riverfest to Argosy members. Greg Personelli said they marketed information to the guests in the hotel. Mr. Personelli also noted that people do not deal well with change. Residents were not used to paying for MusicFest and complained about the ticket price. Commissioner Goering suggested that they offer discount ticket prices for Riverside residents. She noted that Tourism funding/grants is not guaranteed each year and are not be available after the 3rd year. Commissioner Julie Rule asked what the Chamber’s plan and strategy are for self-funding the following;  April’s position, bringing in tourism, and developing membership. Mr. Personelli noted that the Riverside Chamber membership is smaller than most chambers. The goal this year was to charge for the big name band and make a profit. Money would be put back into Chamber from events. The attendance was just lower than expected. Commission Goering asked if the Riverside Chamber ever partnered with the Northland Chamber on bigger events to market on bill boards. Ms. Roberson asked about charging for the Tour de Platte event to make money for the Chamber. Platte County Parks and Recreation does not charge for this event. Mayor Rose noted that many chambers are struggling to retain memberships and they need help. Mr. Personelli asked why the Tourism budget process takes place in December for Tourism funds. This is difficult to plan in advance for events. Commissioner Rule recommended changing the funding cycles and would discuss at next Tourism meeting. Adjournment, 8:06am The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.