GADSDEN COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
AGENDA FOR
Monday, February 2, 2015
Regular Meeting: 5:00 pm
(Promptly after Strategic Planning Session)
Present:
Lee Garner, Chair of TDC, City of Chattahoochee Manager and Tax Collector
Matt Thro, Vice – Chair of TDC, H & H Furniture
Jeff DuBree, Sportsman’s Lodge, Bed Tax Collector - Lake Talquin
David Knight, Midway Councilman
Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner
Peter Patel, Hotel Industry (absent)
Clarence Jackson, City of Gretna
Brenda Holt, BOCC
Lynn Badger, Bed Tax Collector – Havana
Joe Bouch, Chisano
Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Assistant
Allara Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
Strategic Planning Session @ 3:30pm facilitated by Joe Bouch he presented the 2015 Strategic Plan Executive Summary. One point of focus was signage leading into the different cities & what they have to offer. We must get towns and cities excited about tourism in county. Commented on the website it’s nice, but missing a lot of information.
He said ultimate success will be dependent on a number of factors:
· Leadership from both the public and private sector
· Cooperation between city/county government and the business community
· Creation of a “tourism” infrastructure
· Tourism education
· Co-operative In-kind contributions
Four barriers to keep in mind include
· Not having a clear, unified vision of what the Gadsden County.
· Lack of in – county support for tourism.
· Infrastructure – preparing the touch –points that are viable “visitor” points now.
· Overall awareness of the destination.
Sense of Arrival: When you get off the interstate, or enter each town, you don’t get a sense that this is place for visitors/vacationers who are looking for something unique, special, different ….original. Although we will readily admit that some areas have a better “sense of arrival: than others.
Unique and planned visitor/vacation navigation touch – points – a well planned “tourism” delivery system.
Lack of “tourism” knowledge among Gadsden County stakeholders
A well – defined target focus!
Limited Marketing Budget to tell the Gadsden County Tourism Story.
Capitalizing on past recognition that has happened in the County
Outdoor Recreation and Trails
Preparing for the bigger picture
2015 Plan Recommendation
· Putting the puzzle together
· Defining and uncovering
· Then develop the plan.
o Mission – The Mission of Gadsden County’s Tourism Development Council is to foster, develop and promote a sustainable tourism product, thereby bringing more people (visitors) to the area, getting them to stay longer, and to spend money.
o Vision – The Gadsden County Tourism Development Council envisions a tourist destination that showcases the values, heritage, culture and natural beauty of the County.
o Brand Promise - Gadsden County, where visitors can Do Something Original.
o Messaging -
o Creative components
o Road show
o Launch
Chair Garner mentioned partnering or meeting with Riverway South. He said they have done a lot of this work dealing with the entrance ways.
Mrs. Gutcher said that’s true they need to meet with them, but also need to find our own identity.
Mr. Chisano commented yes it’s been done, but haven’t been done right. This group of people craving out visitation touch points. Challenge this group to come up with history, etc.
Mr. Dowdell commented what is the best way to get it done is by taking to each municipality to come up with a committee to help facilitate a tour.
Mr. Jackson said I think it is simplified process because with committees it would never get done.
Celebrity Tie In – Sports – Annual Campout with the Noles; begin to create events while we are creating touch points. He mentioned the identity of the County.
Mr. Thro mentioned the Coca – Cola start in Gadsden County.
Mrs. Holt said not sold on the branding part. Mentioned going after historical monies.
Mr. Chisano said the identity comes from Gadsden County you can do something original. It won’t come overnight. He said approval is needed on the mission statement, vision statement, brand platform – Do Something Original; Residents and Business owners need to become the mouthpiece, start talking about Gadsden. Posters that partners can put up and expound on the county. Touch point 1 or 2 for next meeting; run-offs. He said his job is to keep Commission focused.
Mrs. Holt discussed new working group and one of the question posed is what would make you want to stay in Gadsden County. Costumer Service comes from being excited about the product.
Adjourn @ 4:51pm
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Pledge of Allegiance/Roll call @ 5:00pm
2. Amendments and Approval of Agenda Pull 4 e for agenda Holt/Jackson 5-0
3. Minutes Approval – November 17, 2015 Thro/DuBree with noted corrections (addition to Thro’s comment.)
4. General Business
a. Selection of New Chairman/ ViceChair and Selection and Approval of New Member
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator Sonya presented the reappointment of council members/ candidate selection approval and will be agended for the February 17, 2015 meeting.
Mr. Garner stated he would like to make a motion for Clarence Jackson
Holt made a motion for Keith Dowdell/ it was seconded by Jackson for Chairman. 8-0 passed
Thro nominated DuBree failed for second.
DuBree Nominated Thro failed for second.
Garner/Jackson to submit both names Hayes & Ford to the BOCC for approval along with the names up for reappointment Thro, Jackson and DuBree 8-0 passed.
Vice – Chair Jackson Holt/DuBree 8-0 passed
b. 2015 Emergency Management Summit Funding Approval - $3,500.00 for print material. She mentioned they used 200 bedrooms. Promotional items can be purchased. All items purchased would belong to the TDC.
Mr. Jacksons said he likes to hold everyone accountable, he asked for itemized list.
¨ Sonya Burns, Gadsden County TDC
¨ TaShonda Whaley, Gadsden County Sheriff Department
Motion: Holt/Garner - $3,500 Rural County Summit 8-0 passed
c. Approval of TDC Mission Statement, Visioning Statement and Brand
¨ Joe Bouch, Chisano Marketing Group, Inc
Motion: Holt/ Garner 8-0 passed
d. Travel Approval for Joe Bosch, Chisano Group
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator
¨ March 16, 2015 Travel - $300
Motion: Holt /Jackson -Travel $300 & Travel for March approved
e. Funding Requests – (Current Balance $22,000.00) OLD BUSINESS - Ms. Burns said we pulled because we can’t fund, due to bednights.
Attorney Weiss stated under current plan we are stuck with current room plan, until plan changes.
Rocky Comfort Farms - $3,000.00
· Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides
North Florida Education Corporation - $2,500.00
· Diversity Day
Havana Merchants - $5,000.00
· Pumpkin Festival - $2,500.00
· Lawn Mower Parade - $2,500.00
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator
¨ Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Service Assistant
5. 2016 Crappie Tournament – Lake Talquin, Quincy, Florida
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator – gave update on Crappie Tournament.
Mrs. Holt asked why they had not advertised dealing with tax payers dollars. Recommend that they advertise.
Mrs. Gutcher stated per the procurement policy, we only need 2 quotes.
Mr. Garner said as long as it is advertised then it’s done its due diligence.
Mr. DuBree mentioned that kayak division, which was new and it was free advertisement. He said around Marianas it was 93 rooms from the event. You need to get documentation ahead of time to hotels.
Mr. Garner thanked Jeff, Allara, Stacy, Sonya, David for all the hardwork. It was nice and support from county was great.
Mrs. Gutcher said it was nice and could grow to be something nice.
Motion to sign letter:
RFP:
Attorney Weiss said if contingency happen you might be stuck.
Motion: Thro/Jackson – to sign letter of intent with Crappie USA. 7-1 (Holt opposed motion.)
Jeff DuBree abstained from voting.
6. Report(s) from County Attorney – No items
¨ David Weiss, BOCC Attorney
7. Items of discussion from Council members (no vote items)
Holt – Mentioned focus group and would love for them to meet with TDC.
Garner – Old Hospital, February 19, 2015
Thro – excited about presentation.
8. Public Comments
Bob Lauther, Havana Merchants Association would like to talk to Mr. Chisano
without generating a bill if possible. He said he was seeking permission from the
Council.
Ben Chandler – Have completed visioning document for Chattahoochee of how
they what the community to look like moving forward.
Carolyn Ford, commended the Council on the hiring of Mr. Chisano. She reminded the Council that the community also included the black heritage which is rich in the county.
9. Adjournment @5:56pm
Upcoming meetings: March 16, 2015
Notes: Florida Tourism Day March 11, 2015. Mrs. Burns asked how many would like to attend. Reminded notice will be sent, need to know by end of week, who all would like to attend.