Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Minutes Zoom 10 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2024 A meeting of the Warrensburg Convention and Visitors Bureau was held by Zoom on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 10:18 a.m. with President Tom Koenigsfeld presiding. Roll was called as follows: Present: Kelly Brooks, JonAllen Cocumelli (joined at 10:25 a.m.), Tom Koenigsfeld, Ginny McTighe, Dana Phelps, Diane Thompson (joined at 10:20 a.m.) and Diane Whitworth; and exofficio member Jim Kushner and Danielle Dulin (joined at 10:51 a.m.) Absent: exofficio member Chris Deal The adoption of the agenda was considered. McTighe made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Brooks. Motion passed. Minutes of the January 11, 2024, WCVB Board meeting were considered. McTighe made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Whitworth. Motion passed. Financial report* was provided by the WCVB Director. FY 2023-2024 As of February 12, 2024, $88,696 revenue has been collected. As of February 12, 2024, $24,231 expenses have been incurred. Journal Entries for December and January tax collections and grant reimbursement have not been posted. Journal Entries for December and January personnel expenses have not been posted. December Lodging Tax Collected: $32, 636 *Bank Balance: $213,454 (*Not Reconciled as of 2/14/2024) *Unaudited numbers provided. The WCVB Director provided an update on the WCVB’s Strategic Plan. The plan will be updated by the Board in 2024. A following item on the agenda is regarding the update of the strategic plan in 2024 with securing the service of a consultant to assist throughout the process. The WCVB Director provided an update on the Warrensburg Visitors Center. Security cameras have been installed. In January 2024, the Center averaged five visitors per day with an average of three taking community information. The posting for the Center manager position is closing with interviews being scheduled in March with a start date in April. The Center was nominated for the Warrensburg Main Street’s Renovation project of the year award. The Center was not chosen. The reimbursement for the Local Tourism Asset Development Grant was submitted to the Missouri Department of Economic Development on February 6. Staff are working with the contractor regarding the two areas where we are having leaks. They hope they have identified the areas and repaired them to stop the moisture from coming in. The WCVB Director provided an update on the grants the WCVB is working on. This includes grants awarded to the WCVB and from the WCVB. The WCVB Director presented a request to the Board to secure professional services of a consultant to assist with the updating of the WCVB’s strategic plan. The last plan approved was in 2021. Several of the goals identified on the plan have been met. The consultant would meet with stakeholders, City Council, City Staff and the WCVB Board, conduct a survey to gauge perception of the WCVB and area tourism, and facilitate a WCVB Board Member Retreat. A detailed request for proposals for professional services will be posted on the City’s website. The WCVB 23-24 Budget includes an allocation of funds of $7,500 for the project. The tentative timeline for the project is start April 2024 and approve the plan August 2024. McTighe made a motion that the director be approved to secure services of a consultant following a review of the RFP’s submitted not to exceed $6,000. The motion was seconded by Brooks. Motion passed. The WCVB Director presented the Missouri Division of Tourism’s Conference Scholarship to the Board. The director provided details of the scholarship including eligibility. The director would like to register for the Southeast Tourism Marketing College in June 2024 at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The scholarship would cover the registration expenses and hotel room costs during the conference. The WCVB would cover the remaining expenses including transportation to and from the college, a few meals not included and transportation during the college. Several alumni from Missouri were contacted for their feedback on the college. All had positive experiences. McTighe made a motion to approve the director to apply for the scholarship and register for the Southeast Tourism Marketing College. The motion was seconded by Phelps. Motion passed. The WCVB Director presented the process and estimated cost to trademark the WCVB logo…Small Town * Big Soul, Warrensburg, Missouri. The WCVB Board approved the logo in January 2020. It has been the WCVB’s identity since, with more than $500,000 spent using the branding (advertising, print pieces, Koenigsfeld made a motion the director proceed with the process of registering the WCVB logo using Hovey Williams LLP services, not to exceed $4,500. The motion was seconded by McTighe. Motion passed. The WCVB Director provided the Director’s Report. The director discussed board appointments/reappointments; upcoming events; past events; important dates for the Visitor Center; and projects the WCVB is currently working on. City of Warrensburg Mayor Jim Kushner and City Manager Danielle Dulin provided an update on behalf of the City of Warrensburg. Whitworth made a motion to close part of the meeting pursuant to Section 610.021 of the Revised Statues of Missouri relating to: 3-Hiring, firing, disciplining or promotion of particular employees by a public governmental body when information about the employee is discussed or recorded. 12-Documents or any documents related to a negotiated contract until a contract is executed, or all proposals are rejected. Yes: Brooks, Cocumelli, Koenigsfeld, Phelps, Thompson, and Whitworth Exofficio Yes: Dulin and Kushner Absent: McTighe (lost signal-rejoined following vote)