Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Minutes 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2025 A meeting of the Warrensburg Convention and Visitors Bureau was held by Zoom on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 10:02 a.m. with President Diane Thompson presiding. Roll was called as follows: Present: JonAllen Cocumelli, Annie Dillard, Cody Jolliff, Dana Phelps, and Diane Thompson; exofficio members Chris Deal (joined 10:04 am), Jim Kushner and Mike Schrage Absent: Kelly Brooks, and Kelsey Lee The adoption of the agenda was considered. Jolliff made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Phelps. Motion passed. Minutes of January 9, 2025, WCVB Board meeting were considered. Jolliff made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Cocumelli. Motion passed. Financial report* was provided by the WCVB Director. FY 2024-2025 As of March 10, 2025, 2025, $130,920 revenue has been collected. As of March 10, 2025, $133, 993 expenses have been incurred. January and February transfers were not completed as of March 10, 2025. January Lodging Tax: $7,361 February Lodging Tax: $14,904 Bank Balance: $473,995 (Not Reconciled as of 03/10/2025) *The numbers presented have not been audited. The WCVB Director presented the proposals for the Visitor Profile Study for review and approval. The study was identified in the WCVB Strategic Plan as Goal 1 Comprehensive Marketing Plan. The study will provide the organization with the reasons a visitor comes to Warrensburg (Why). The study’s expense was included in the 2024-2025 budget ($20,000). The request for proposals was posted in December 2024. The deadline to submit was extended to February 12, 2025. A total of eight submissions were received. They ranged in cost from $15,700-$144,000. The WCVB Marketing Committee and the director met on Friday, March 7, 2025, and reviewed each submission. The committee recommended the Board approve the proposal from McDaniels Marketing. Brooks made a motion to approve the director to enter into an agreement with McDaniels Marketing on behalf of the WCVB for their services to provide a comprehensive visitor profile study, not to exceed $19,700. The motion was seconded by Cocumelli. Motion passed. The WCVB Director presented a proposal for photography and video services by Wilson Video Productions in the amount of $5,575. Matt Wilson is proposing a two-day video/photo shoot to capture needed imagery for the WCVB’s upcoming marketing efforts. The shoot, held in late May/early June, will include five restaurants and five outdoor locations. A minimum of 100 photos will be provided along with two short videos. Thompson made a motion to approve the director entering into an agreement with Wilson Video Productions on behalf of the WCVB for photography/video services not to exceed $5,575. The motion was seconded by Brooks. Motion passed. The WCVB Director presented the Blaine Whitworth Go Big or Go Home Foundation’s application for the WCVB Sports Grant. The grant application was submitted for the organization’s annual golf tournament held October 10, 2025. The WCVB Tourism Development Committee met February 10, 2025 to review the application. The committee recommended the application be approved for an award of $4,000. The Jolliff made a motion the Blaine Whitworth Foundation be awarded the WCVB Sports Grant for their golf tournament in the amount of $4,000. The motion was seconded by Phelps. Motion passed. The WCVB Director presented a request from University of Central Missouri’s President Dr. Best for a letter of support for the university’s effort to secure congressional funding to support critical upgrades at Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport. Jolliff made a motion to provide a letter of support from the WCVB be provided to support UCM’s efforts to secure the funding. The motion was seconded by Phelps. Motion passed. The WCVB Director provided the Director’s Report. The director discussed the audit for the Local Tourism Asset Development Grant on March 20, 2025; Missouri Division of Tourism grants, 2025 visitor guide, and past events. The report included an update from Kayla Alley, Visitors Center Manager, and MaKhi Thurman, Communication Coordinator. The WCVB Director presented an update on the WCVB Strategic Plan. Goal 1: Comprehensive Marketing Plan will be worked on by the Marketing Committee. The committee met on March 7, 2025, to review the RFP Visitor Profile Study submissions. They will schedule a meeting the first of April to review and discuss proposals for the website redesign project. Goal 2: Travel and Tourism Development will be worked on by the Community Support (now Tourism Development) Committee. The committee met February 22, 2025, to review the WCVB Sports Grant application submitted by the Blaine Whitworth Foundation. The next application deadline will be April 25, 2025. Goal 3: Operational will be worked on by the Finance Committee. The committee hopes to present an investment opportunity (CD) to the Board at a future meeting. Staff will investigate the purchase of the Smith Travel Research report. A financial manual proof and goals for the 2025-2026 budget will be presented to the Board at a future meeting. The Visitor Center Committee will meet as needed. The director updated the Board on maintenance issues including the upstairs moisture issue. The City of Warrensburg update was provided by City Council Member Jim Kushner and City Manager Mike Schrage. Warrensburg Parks and Recreation Director Chris Deal provided an update on behalf of Warrensburg Parks and Recreation. The Board was reminded the next Board meeting is scheduled for 10 am Thursday, April 10, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.