HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-12 MemorandumTO: Kenai CVB Board of Directors
FROM: Mya Renken, Executive Director
RE: Executive Director's Report
DATE: July 12, 2007
MEMORANDUM
Administration
o Staff update
Dawn Male was hired as the Destination Marketing and Membership
Manager on August 9, 2007. She brings experience working in a 501(c)(6)
trade association organization, sales and marketing, convention sales and
destination marketing.
Summer staff are transitioning out as school begins. We are working around
high school and college class schedules.
Caelin Kubena, who was a Visitors Information Assistant last summer, will be
returning to work evenings on the weekdays so we have coverage up till the
7:00 p.m. closing time.
o Received a thank you letter from Senator Stevens for a donation of smoked salmon
we provided in partnership with the Kenai River Sportfishing Association. We
assisted with the Airport Welcome and had additional packets of wild Alaska smoked
salmon which were donated to Senator Stevens for his U.S. Senate Republican
colleagues.
o Kevin Hall was in Kenai this summer and saw the Old Town Kenai walking tour
signs. He was upset to see the misappropriation of his design work, which was
discussed. While I was concerned about the impact this would have on our working
relationship with Kevin, the relationship continues to be positive.
KCVB
o Destination Marketing
Assisted in the coordination of a Rotary International Open World media
project for the 200` Anniversary of US- Russia Relations.
The Japanese production crew who were interested in filming dipnetting and
at a setnet site close to the mouth of the Kenai River were a no -show. The
nets were pulled from the water by the time they were interested in filming,
and they probably did not receive authorization to stage the dipnet fishery at
the mouth of the Kenai.
Laurie Spiegel, a writer with the New York publication Art Times, visited the
Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. She was most impressed with the
summer art exhibition.
Freelance travel writer Jenna Schnuer was here on August 12 and 13. We
visited Old Town Kenai and Nikolaevsk. This was her first visit to the Kenai,
and she left with many ideas of stories to pitch. She writes for a variety of
publications, including American Airlines in- flight magazine. One of her story
ideas is on the premier visitor centers around the country, with the Kenai
Visitors and Cultural Center being at the top of the list.
Assisting U.S. State Department for film project for three journalists from
Estonia focusing on Alaska's beauty, Native Alaskans and Russian influence.
o Alaska Media Roadshow preparation:
I have requested 26 appointments with various travel writers who will be
attending Alaska Media Roadshow, September 16 18, 2007. The deadline
for appointment requests is August 31, 2007.
Attended the Spencer Whistle Stop Riboon Cutting celebration on Thursday,
August 16, 2007. Spoke briefly with Senator Murkowski, and quite
extensively with representatives from Alaska Railroad, Alaska Heritage
Tours, Phillips 26 Glacier Tours, ATIA, Premier Alaska Tours and Anchorage
CVB.
Attended Stillwater Cabins' open house on Saturday, August 18, 2007.
Kayaked with Pete Sprague on August 13, 2007 from Skilak Lake boat
launch to Bing's Landing with a loaner kayak from Alaska Canoe and
Campground. Pete gave me a variety of story ideas to pitch.
o Visitor Center Services
Hobo Jim will be in concert on Wednesday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Our last Premier Alaska Tours group tour is August 26 Premier has added
an additional nine Best of Alaska ground tours to their 2008 program.
o Cultural Center Programs and Exhibits
Accreditation
Bob Beatty with the American Association for State and Local History
will be visiting the Center on September 24, 2007 for a site visit. We
will be participating in that association's Performance Management
Program, being coordinated by the Alaska State Museum.
We are reviewing the eligibility requirements of the Heritage
Preservation's Conservation Assessment Program and intend to apply
if eligible.
Alaska Positive show will be arriving on the heels of the closure of the
summer art exhibition. A First Thursday Reception is scheduled for
Thursday, September 6, 2007.
Shane Lopez presented his research on Captain Cook's journeys in Cook
Inlet on August 15, 2007. It was well attended and well- received.
Natasha is looking into grants to underwrite a winter lecture series to bring
statewide experts to discuss topics of local interest.
Natasha also is pursuing Rasmuson grants for community interest workshops
to keep us all busy throughout the Winter.
The perched eagle replica that used to sit in the foyer of the Center has been
loaned to Mountain View Elementary for a showcase of eagles for the
consolidation of the two schools.
o Kenai's Saturday Market
The Market will continue through September 15, 2007.
o Miscellaneous
The Kenai River Marathon Planning Committee is running right along. The
marathon is scheduled for Sunday, September 30, 2007 and will begin and
end at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.
Patrons
Researched grant opportunities for Kenai Historical Society for Old Town Kenai
cabin move. Next Cabin meeting is Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 9:00 a.m, at
City Hall.
Travel
o September 16 18, 2007, Alaska Media Roadshow, Santa Barbara, CA
o September 26 29, 2007, Museums Alaska Conference in Homer, AK
o October 1 4, 2007, ATIA Annual Convention, Juneau, AK
o October 10 13, 2007, Western Association of CVBs, Anchorage, AK
o 1 week December, ATIA Marketing Committee Retreat, unknown location