Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-20 Tourism Commission Minutes MINUTES TOURISM COMMISSION RIVERSIDE, MISSOURI Monday, October 20, 2008 6:00 p.m. The Tourism Commission for the City of Riverside, Missouri, met in the Board of Aldermen Conference Room at City Hall, 2950 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Missouri, on October 20, 2008. Chair Jason Rule called the meeting to order. Answering roll call were Deana Winter, Jerry Pietsch, Randy Rose, Dirk van der Linde and Jason Rule. Also present were Meredith Hauck, Communications and External Affairs Coordinator, Jane Henry, Executive Administration Assistant, and Zeke Young, Riverside Red X Owner. Motion to approve Minutes of August 11, Deana Winter made a motion to approve the minutes of September 8, 2008 2008, and Randy Rose seconded. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Tourism Enhancement Grant Process Update Meredith Hauck, Communications/External Affairs Coordinator, updated the Commission that grant applications are due on October 31. The next Tourism Enhancement Grant Committee meeting is on Wednesday, November 12. The recommendations from the grant committee will be presented to the Tourism Commission at the November 17 meeting. Tourism Fund Update Hauck outlined the money available in the tourism fund: $57,700 in short term funding, $127,963 in long term funding and $100,000 in grants. Riverside Red X Presentation Zeke Young, owner of the Riverside Red X, reported to the Commission on the results of the Budweiser Clydesdale Event that the Red X hosted in August. Approximately 17,263 people between 4 days old and 104 years old visited the Red X to see the horses during their stay. The majority of the visitors came from the Metro area, but there were a number who were from outside of the state. Young showed the Commission a map of where everyone came from and explained that they collected zip codes from the contest registration forms. He also explained to the Commission that it cost the Red X $12,558 in advertising and $4,392 in other supplies, such as tents, etc. to host the Clydesdales. Young asked the Board to consider providing some level of funding to the Red X for this event. The Board agreed to discuss this at their next meeting. Young also asked the Board how the Red X could help with future tourism-related events. He was amazed with how many people came to see the Clydesdales from all over and how many people, in general, know about Riverside. Commissioner Winter suggested the Board should look at finding a way to support what’s already happening here. For example, hosting another event that would occur after a Red X Wine Tasting. Young agreed that it was important to find ways to extend the time people spend in Riverside. Winter also suggested a mural on the exterior back wall of the Red X that could be seen from Highway 9. Young and the rest of the Board agreed that would also be a good idea to explore. Tourism Commission Minutes 10/20/08 Page 1 Riverfest 2008 Recap Hauck reported to the Commission 259 surveys were administered at Riverfest. In this sample, there were 524 adults, 378 children and 57 zip codes represented. The majority – 98% - of the attendees were from the Kansas City MSA, 20% were from Riverside and 60% were from Kansas City, Missouri. Overall, attendance at the event was estimated at 1,000 people on Friday night and 7,000 people on Saturday. Commissioner Rule asked if the Riverfest Committee had considered moving to a one day only event. Hauck explained that they had discussed the idea but because it’s hard to attract vendors to a one- day event, the Riverfest Committee had voted and the event would be two days next year. Commissioner Rule also commented that the big name entertainment helped to draw so many people on Saturday and he would like continue to see enhanced entertainment next year. Tourism Data and Potential Projects Commissioner Rule reported his findings from City-Data.com on the Discussion general demographics of Riverside and noted that there are only 4 businesses in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry in Riverside. This is a challenge for Riverside because the City doesn’t have a lot of amenities to market to tourists. He also spoke with the marketing director at the Argosy casino who told Rule that the Argosy participated in partner advertising with the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association and that they were booked almost every night. Rule also reported the marketing director said there wasn’t really anything the Tourism Commission could do to help them. Rule also handed out a schedule of all of the fall events happening in Platte County. He explained it is his perception that the competition for small events is fierce and that maybe putting on fewer, larger events would be a better way for people to notice Riverside. Commissioner Winter agreed that there are a number of events happening in the Kansas City area. She looked on VisitKC.com and noticed that none of Riverside’s events were posted and suggested that Hauck look into that for future events. She also reported she spoke with Shirley O’Leary from the Kansas City Art Institute about possible events in Riverside. Hauck said she had already spoken with O’Leary about the requirements for Tourism Funding and expected them to submit a proposal in the near future. Winter also explored other arts- related activities, such as partnering with organization such as the art museums in town, the Cube and Paul Messner puppets. Commissioner van der Linde added that he was also looked into Children’s Arts Festivals and couldn’t find any in our area. Commissioner Winter would like to further explore painting murals on the side of certain buildings in town – such as the Red X. She suggested that the City could recruit residents and area artists to help paint it. Commissioner Winter also contacted TheKnot.com about advertising EH Young and Renner Brenner Park on the site as a place to host weddings. She said it costs $150 per month to post a site, which included 10 photos. Winter will put together a proposal and present it at an upcoming meeting. Tourism Commission Minutes 10/20/08 Page 2 Commissioner Rule suggested tapping into community service organizations like the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce to partner with to host these events. Hauck asked if the Commission was still interested in putting on a BBQ next summer. Commissioner Rose suggested a backyard BBQ and inviting public safety departments to participate. Hauck suggested a smaller alternative might be a block party on the civic campus. All commissioners agreed that there needs to be some event to kick off fireworks season. Commissioner Rule asked the group to identify its goals for the year. 1.Expand Commission involvement with Riverfest and explore ways to tie it with other possible events. 2.Develop an event to kick off fireworks season. 3.Explore the addition of a smaller activity in the spring. 4.Work with the Red X to expand current events Commissioners Rule and Rose volunteered to work with staff on the Fireworks Kick Off Event. Commissioners Winter, Pietsch and van der Linde will work with the Riverfest Committee on the potential of adding an art-related event on Friday night. Adjournment By unanimous consent, the commission adjourned until its next meeting on November 17. ______________________________ Jane Henry Executive Administration Assistant Tourism Commission Minutes 10/20/08 Page 3