Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting

TWENTYNINE PALMS TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA 6136 Adobe Road Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 www.29palms.org / www.Visit29.org Thursday, January 21, 2021 REGULAR SESSION AGENDA 3:30 P. M. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call. CHANGES TO AGENDA PRESENTATIONS 1 Noelle Glines-Bovio, Monument Manager, Mojave Trails National Monument, Bureau of Land Management 2 Veno Nathraj, Owner/Operator of Oasis Inn & Suites and America's Best Value Inn BUSINESS 3 Approval of meeting minutes for TBID meeting on November 19, 2020. 3-8 Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting - 19 Nov 2020 - Minutes - Pdf 4 COVID-19 Update 9 - 11 COVID-19 Updates 5 Destination Update 13 - 18 Destination Updates PUBLIC COMMENTS DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS 6 Discussion and review of Q1 marketing activities and results (October - December 2020) 19 - 23 Page 1 of 26  Q1 Marketing Activities & Results 7 Discussion and review of proposed updates to Visit 29 Palms partner program. 25 Visit 29 Palms Partner Program Updates 8 Discussion and review of upcoming industry events. Q2 Industry Events BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMENTS FUTURE BOARDMEMBER INITIATED ITEMS ADJOURNMENT It is the intention of the City of Twentynine Palms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in all respects. If you are a person with a disability who requires a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (760) 367-4890 (facsimile). Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. Please advise us at the time whether you will require accommodations to participate in meetings on a regular basis. Any person affected by any application on this agenda may submit their concerns in writing prior to the meeting or appear in person and be heard in support or opposition to the proposal at the time the matter is considered on the agenda. The staff reports, applications and environmental documents may be viewed at either the office of Community Development or the office of the City Clerk, 6136 Adobe Road, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except legal holidays. The Invocation is given per Policy 10-01, and does not reflect the views of the City but rather is an expression of speech by a private citizen making the presentation. Telephone inquiries may be made at (760) 367-6799. If you challenge any agenda issue in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues that you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Twentynine Palms at, or prior to, the public meeting. This notice of agenda is hereby certified to have been posted on or before 3:30 p.m., January 18, 2020. Cindy Villescas CMC, City Clerk Time/Date Page 2 of 26  TWENTYNINE PALMS TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 www.29palms.org / www.Visit29.org November 19, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: 3:35pm Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Boardmember Quinteros. Roll Call: The following TBID Advisory Boardmembers were present: Grunt, Quinteros, Maharaj, Mehta. CHANGES TO AGENDA PRESENTATIONS BUSINESS 1. Update on COVID-19 County dashboard, and new resources and relief programs for businesses. Visit 29 Palms TBID COVID-19 Updates 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes for October 29, 2020. A motion was made by Chair Mehta, seconded by Boardmember Quninteros to approve the TBID Meeting Minutes for October 29, 2020. The above motion was carried by the following: ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Grunt, Quinteros, Maharaj, Mehta. PUBLIC COMMENTS Veno Nathraj, owner and operator of Oasis Inn & Suites and America’s Best Value Inn addressed the TBID board with follow up questions relating to his request to see the TBID annual renewal postponed, access to TBID reporting, and concerns about the rapid growth of short-term vacation rentals. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS 3. Review of Visit 29 Palms TBID's FY 2019-2020 Results. Director of Marketing Dusastre led a review and discussion of the TBID's year-end financial results of the 2019- 2020 fiscal year which ended with a 14% decline in TBID generated revenue. This year-end result was better than anticipated as travel and tourism related spending in California was forecasted to see a decline of up to 45% in the 2020 calendar year. Short-term vacation rentals ended the fiscal year with a 50% year over year increase, whereas hotels ended the year with a 24% year over year decline. Visit 29 Palms TBID Year-End Rev Results FY 2019-2020 4. Visit 29 Palms TBID Marketing Activity Update for Q1. Director of Marketing Dusastre provided the TBID board with a summary of marketing activities and results for October and November, highlighting results for paid search and social media campaigns. Visit 29 Palms TBID Q1 Marketing Activities Update Page 1 of 6 Page 3 of 26  Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting November 19, 2020 BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS TBID Chair Mehta recommended that Dusastre reach out to the team at Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to build a relationship and seek input on some of the successful strategies that they have put into place that help track and measure the results of their marketing efforts. TBID Vice Chair Maharaj thanked City Manager Frank Luckino and fellow TBID advisory board members for their ongoing commitment and hard work supporting the Visit 29 Palms TBID organization. DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMENTS Director Dusastre shared feedback on the recent community meeting that discussed short-term vacation rentals, letting the TBID board know that the response was almost all positive, with multiple comments made in support of the city's current ordinance. FUTURE BOARDMEMBER INITIATED ITEMS Veno Nathraj, Owner, Oasis Inn & Suites and America’s Best Value Inn to be added as a presenter at the next scheduled TBID meeting. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Chair Mehta at 4:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Breanne Dusastre TBID Director of Marketing Page 2 of 6 Page 4 of 26  29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District November 19, 2020 Page 3 of 6 Page 5 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: November 19, 2020.  COVID-19 Resources for Employers www.SBCovid19.com Residents of San Bernardino County may call the COVID-19 hotline at (909)387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact the County by email at: coronavirus@DPH.sbcounty.gov Page 4 of 6 Page 6 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: November 19, 2020.  COVID-19 Dashboard San Bernardino County | As of November 16, 2020 Source: https://sbcph.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/44bb35c804c44c8281da6d82ee602dff Page 5 of 6 Page 7 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: November 19, 2020.  COVID-19 Business Relief Programs – City of Twentynine Palms The City of Twentynine has announced two new programs to help support local businesses who have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: 1. Outdoor Business Operations Assistance Program: Business owners who have invested in transitioning to outdoor operations can apply for reimbursement of up to $5,000 2. Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Commercial tenants financially impacted by COVID-19 can apply for up to $5,000 in rent assistance to prevent eviction. For full details of these new assistance programs, including information on eligibility and applications processes, please visit the City of Twentynine Palms website at www.29palms.org Page 6 of 6 Page 8 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: October 29, 2020.  COVID-19 Update Current Status of San Bernardino County as of January 12, 2021: Page 9 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  COVID-19 Vaccine Update Page 10 of 26 Residents of San Bernardino County may call (909) 387-3911 or email: coronavirus@DPH.sbcounty.gov Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Current COVID-19 Travel Restrictions & Advisories December 6, 2020 Southern California entered a Regional Stay At Home Order which restricts the following: Hotels and short-term rentals (including any reservations made through third-party venues and platforms) • May accept reservations if the traveler is using the lodging in connection with COVID-19 mitigation, containment, and treatment measures, as accommodation for essential workers or those displaced by fire or other emergency, or for individuals or families who have no other primary residence (including individuals who would otherwise experience homelessness). Campgrounds • Closed except for use in connection with COVID-19 mitigation, containment, and treatment measures, as accommodation for essential workers or those displaced by fire or other emergency, or for individuals or families who have no other primary residence (including individuals who would otherwise experience homelessness). January 6, 2021 Updated Travel Advisory issued for California; Californians should remain local (not traveling more than 120 miles from their home or other place of residence) and avoid non-essential travel. Travelers from other states or countries entering into California for tourism and recreation are strongly discouraged. Traveling into California from other states or Page 11 of 26 countries for tourism or recreation is also strongly discouraged, and anyone traveling into California should self- quarantine for 10 days. Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021. Page 12 of 26  Destination Updates Page 13 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Campbell Hill Bakery Cactus Trails Café Carousel of Treasures Desert Beacon Inc. Digital Paragon New Businesses Donahlue Clothing Co. In 29 Palms Rasta Rita Cantina Starbucks 2020-2021 Perfectly Unique 29 Page 14 of 26  Project Phoenix On-site 11,000-square foot Community Center & Outdoor Stage Construction 4,000-square foot Joshua Tree National Park Visitor & Cultural Center Now Underway Set for completion in spring 2022 Page 15 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Mural #5 Visit 29 Palms extends its congratulations to Action Council for 29 Palms for the beautiful restoration and repaint of the city’s iconic Desert Storm Homecoming and Restoration & Repaint Victory Parade Mural. The wall was prepped by Wayne Winiecki of Mural Medic, and Now Completed the 10-week restoration and repaint was done by master artist Chuck Caplinger, artist Holgie Caplinger, and artist David Greene. Page 16 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Destination Updates Mine Train Smokery will soon be moving into a Temporary Closures new restaurant space at Hwy 62 & Desert Queen 9 Palms Inn Ave, offering quality smoked meats at a hometown 29 Palms Art Gallery price. Edchadas Mexican Restaurant Joshua Tree Restaurant & Bar (located at Oasis Inn & Suites hotel) has launched a new dinner menu Permanent Closures featuring tacos and daily specials. The Boardroom Axe Throwing Paused Programming Under Review Smith’s Ranch Drive-In Movie Theater The City of 29 Palms has a received a proposal for Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center a 16,000-square-foot Grocery Outlet supermarket, Park Ranger Programs, Key’s Ranch Tours proposed to be built at the northeast corner of Desert Institute Field Classes Encelia Avenue and State Route 62. Page 17 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Destination Updates New year-round service to Palm Springs New service coming to Ontario International International Airport: Airport: Southwest Airlines Frontier Airlines Denver (1x daily) Phoenix (2x daily) starting in February Oakland (2x daily) Sacramento (2x daily) starting in March Phoenix (3x daily) San Francisco (2x daily) starting in March Las Vegas (4x daily) starting in February Alaska Airlines Orlando (4x daily) starting in February San Jose (2x daily) Delta Airlines + COVID Clinic now offering rapid testing at both Los Angeles (1x daily) Palm Springs International Airport and Ontario International Airport. Boutique Air Los Angeles (1x daily) Phoenix (1x daily) Page 18 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Q1 Marketing Activities & Results October – December 2020 Page 19 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Q1 Marketing Results - Website Breakdown of Outbound Link Clicks: • Lodging: 1,486 (-10% vs LY) • Restaurants: 221 (+12% vs LY) • COVID Updates & Information: 529 Page 20 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Q1 Marketing Results – Paid Search Paid Search Results: October – December 2020 Budget: $600 ($200/month) Spent: $576.78 Targeting: Southern California Drive Markets Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, Riverside County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County) Quarterly Results: • Total Impressions: 17,400 • Total Clicks: 1,110 • Click Through Rate: 6.41% • Average Cost Per Click: $0.60 Page 21 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Q1 Marketing Results – Social Media Page 22 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021.  Q1 Marketing Activities – Regional Networking Visit California Deserts Quarterly Meeting Virtual Conference Call | December 16, 2020 Panelists: Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications, Greater Palm Springs CVB Gary Orfield, Director of Tourism Development, Greater Palm Springs CVB Caroline Beteta, President & CEO Visit California Breanne Dusastre, Director of Marketing, Visit 29 Palms John Kukureja, General Manager, Oasis at Death Valley *As part of this quarterly call, Visit 29 Palms had the opportunity to share destination updates with 50+ regional hospitality partners across the California desert region. Updates included Project Phoenix, new businesses opening, new public art and mural restoration efforts, fall event highlights, and news of the new designation for Amboy Crater. Page 23 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021. Page 24 of 26  Visit 29 Palms Partner Program Proposed updates/additions to partner benefits: • Add media support for ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and milestone anniversaries • Add dedicated e-news blast to announce/welcome/introduce new partners • Add quarterly partner mixers (virtual for now) Work in progress: • Build out Visit 29 Palms Partner Directory • Automated enrollment and planning tools • Develop/host introductory webinar for business owners interested in learning more about the new partner program • Updates and improvements to organization and layout of Partner Program landing page (www.visit29.org/about-our-partner-program) Page 25 of 26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting: January 21, 2021. Page 26 of 26