Agenda Packets - 2009/05/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council April 13, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 4 C. Resolution 7430, Approving Intent to Exercise the Opt Out Clause of the 1 Contract with Visit Minneapolis North CVB effective December 31, 2009. 2 3 Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz presented staff’s recommendation to opt out of the 4 contract with Visit Minneapolis North, effective December 31, 2009. She advised that it appears 5 only three cities, located east of the Mississippi River, will remain with Visit Minneapolis North. 6 Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz explained that a new convention and visitor’s 7 bureau may be forming to serve the cities that have opted out along with the National Sports 8 Center. 9 10 Mayor Flaherty opened the floor for public comment. 11 12 John Connelly, Director of Sales and Development of the National Sports Center, spoke on 13 behalf of the five-city coalition formed to create a new convention and visitor’s bureau. He 14 stated their primary focus is to narrow the marketing strategy and geographic area and find unity 15 in how the dollars should be spent. 16 17 Mayor Flaherty asked what will be different with the new coalition regarding the 18 disproportionate percentages spent towards the National Sports Center and Arbor Lakes. Mr. 19 Connelly stated they will now be awarded based on performance so there is incentive to generate 20 out-of-town visitors that need hotel nights/gas/retail. In addition, the National Sports Center has 21 no oversight in how the funds are spent, that will be the decision of the Coalition. 22 23 Council Member Mueller asked how the bureau will use the 3% fees collected from member 24 cities to produce advertising and promotional materials to draw people. Mr. Connelly stated it is 25 spent to promote member cities and attract out-of-town visitors for lodging. 26 27 Council Member Mueller stated her understanding there were more hotel/motel units on the west 28 side of the River so the promotional materials were skewed to those areas. She asked how the 29 member cities will be promoted. Mr. Connelly stated the governing structure will be tighter and 30 contain equal representation of member cities plus the hotel/motel owners. He agreed that each 31 property needs to be marketed with equality and noted that pooling resources will result in one 32 cooperative buy that is more easily managed. Mr. Connelly stated resources will be dedicated to 33 on-line internet marketing, which is more efficient than printed flyers and hard sales. 34 35 Council Member Mueller asked if business owners will also be assisted with updating their 36 internet presence. Mr. Connelly stated the Chamber of Commerce and economic development 37 information will be available online and a major benefit for small businesses. 38 39 Mayor Flaherty asked whether the Council will receive updated information as the bureau is 40 formed. Mr. Connelly answered in the affirmative. 41 42 Natallia Mattke, Director of Sales & Catering for The Mermaid and resident of 5358 Clifton 43 Drive, stated that Visit Minneapolis North is well known but that is not the case with the new 44 bureau so a large budget will be needed to become established and represent a large number (9-45