Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Minutes Via Zoom 10 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2020 A meeting of the Warrensburg Convention and Visitors Bureau was held via Zoom on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10:08 a.m. with President Tom Koenigsfeld presiding. Roll was called as follows: Present: Kelly Brooks, Tom Koenigsfeld, Ginny McTighe, Scott Thomason, and Diane Whitworth; and exofficio member Bryan Jacobs; Absent: Chelsea Cantrell and Mason Wirsig, and exofficio members Danielle Fesler and Harold Stewart. The adoption of the agenda was considered. McTighe made a motion to adopt the agenda. The motion was second by Koenigsfeld. Motion passed. Minutes of the March 4, 2020 WCVB meeting were considered. McTighe made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. The motion was second by Brooks. Motion passed. Financial report provided by the WCVB director. Board President and Fairfield Inn and Suites owner Tom Koenigsfeld provided an update on how Covid-19 is impacting the local lodging industry. The Fairfield team is working hard to comply with all restrictions to ensure guests feel safe. They were able to participate in the Payroll Protection Program. In April 2020, they saw 20% in revenue compared to April 2019. The WCVB director presented a draft of the revised 2019-2020 WCVB Budget. Due to the impact Covid-19 has and will continue to have on our lodging partners for the remainder of the fiscal year, the budget needs to be revised. The lodging tax collected for months April through September is projected to be 20% of the amount originally budgeted. This has caused a deficit in the budget by approximately $90, 213. To make up for the difference in revenue the following cuts were made, personnel $5,399, commodities $9,547, services $28,365, community agreements $7,000 and reserve $40,000. The director noted the $40,000 from reserves was the amount budgeted to be added this fiscal year. Funds will not be taken out of the fund’s reserve as of now. McTighe made a motion to approve the revised 2019-2020 WCVB Budget as presented. The motion was second by Brooks. Motion passed. The WCVB director discussed the Visitor Center reopening plan. The center will reopen once the City lifts the State of Emergency. The center’s hours will be revised to reflect the change in staffing and the cleaning needed to keep visitors and staff safe. The center will be open 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. This will allow the director to attend morning meetings and properly clean after closing to the public. Signage will be placed on the door encouraging visitors to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be placed near the center’s interior door. Markings will be placed on the floor as a visual to maintain social distancing. Staff will wear a mask anytime a visitor is in the center. The WCVB director provided the director’s report. Items noted included Covid-19 and how the organization has responded, webinars participated in, National Tourism and Travel Week, UCM’s tentatively scheduled Orientation and graduation ceremony, and upcoming furlough weeks. The WCVB director noted the next tentatively scheduled meeting is 10 a.m. Thursday, June 11. There were no appearances by the public or board comments. Meeting adjourned.