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Home My WebLink About2007-06-15 MemorandumTO: Kenai CVB Board of Directors FROM: Mya Renken, Executive Director RE: Executive Director's Report DATE: June 15, 2007 MEMORANDUM Administration o Invitations received: Join Alyeska Pipeline, BP and AOGA on June 20, 2007 from Noon 2:00 p.m. at Soldotna Creek Park to celebrate their 30 -year partnership between the people of Alaska and their industry. Matson Winery and Supply Open House on June 23, 2007 from Noon 4:00 p.m. featuring wine tasting, food from the Family Table, door prizes, live music and homemade pop along with beer brewing demonstration. o Staff update Tina has tendered her resignation. June 27, 2007 will be her last day. I have posted the position have made it an exempt position to reflect the managerial responsibilities associated with the position. Crissy Gipson, Administrative Specialist, has tendered her resignation, effective July 2, 2007, to pursue writing a book and online marketing opportunities. o Spoke with Rick Koch, Kenai's City Manager, and Larry Semmons, Finance Director, about requesting an audit of KCVB's books. I have emailed the draft audit RFP to Rick for his and Larry's comments. o Sent $100 donation to American Heart Association on June 11, 2007. The message sent reflected the donation was made in Jim Carter's memory on behalf of KCVB's Board of Directors and employees. The credit card used is in my name, which is why the receipt only lists my name. KCVB o Destination Marketing Kenai ads have appeared in: Adventure Sports Outdoors, May, 2007 issue Coordinated building of wood bins for placement of Kenai recreation guide in the Anchorage Airport Hosted /supported travel writing team Hal and Dori Smith of New York. Assisting Japanese Channel 4 location scout, through their contractor Bookmark of Los Angeles, with accommodations and contacts for a fishing documentary/reality television show to be filmed in August. Follow up on media inquiry from Paul Blaney regarding heritage tourism article for ASTAnetwork Magazine. ATIA has contracted with Michael DeYoung for photography throughout Alaska, including the Kenai. The contract includes third -party rights for usage by community destination marketing organizations (DMOs) Guest on Scott McMurren's radio travel show on May 5, 2007 to promote Kenai, the gala and the shorebird celebration Verbatim comments from the Dittman Research report, May 2007 question What do you consider the most important issue facing the City of Kenai today? I think tourism, hunting and fishing rights are being lost... Commercial fishing vs. sporUtourist fishing. Tourists, they show up They don't strive for tourism enough. They let Soldotna have it all. The city should grow. There are a lot of empty shops. They are not doing enough to attract businesses. Maybe a convention center that has events that coincide with fishing season themes and strengths. Tourism and sports fishing are important to the economy. We need to continue to promote what we are best at. We need something to draw more tourism. Soldotna does much more to do this than Kenai does. It is a toss -up between fishing and keeping the money going. Tourism and bringing money into our city. Three main areas- the oil industry, fishing and small amounts of tourism. We don't have near as much as Soldotna. Met with Carol Ford about the Community of Memories project and using the information gathered as starting point for podcast about personal stories featuring Old Town Kenai. The City has received authorization from the Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church to move the cabins from behind Fort Kenay to a location adjacent to old Kenai Library and jailhouse. Have delayed reprinting Old Town Kenai Walking Tour maps until we learn more about the changes in Old Town; however, we will need to reprint a small supply to distribute prior to the cabins being moved. Also, will need information regarding new locations so we can make the appropriate changes to the map. The Mayor recommended to George Ford that I participate on the committee meeting to discuss moving the cabins so am sure we will get the information needed to insure the accuracy of the maps during that time. Attended ATIA Marketing Committee in Anchorage on June 12, 2007 Presented North to Alaska /Highway Subcommittee Report Re- allocated $30,000 to be used to market fly /drive travel in the Germany- speaking Europe travel market. Received research of International Visitors to Alaska in Summer, 2006 as gathered from the Alaska Visitor Statistics Program V Nearly two thirds of our international market is from Europe 37% from the UK 10% from German speaking Europe (GSE) One out of every five is from Australia /New Zealand 11% from Asia, with most from Japan 92% of International travelers are in Alaska for Vacation /pleasure 39% International Visitors overnight in Southcentral Alaska Expenditures, excluding travel to /from Alaska o $936 Average International Per Person Expenditure o $1,505 GSE o $640 UK o $1,338 Asia o $905 Australia /New Zealand Of the those visiting Southcentral, 20% visited the Kenai Peninsula o Seward- 15% o Kenai/Soldotna- 11% o Homer- 6% o Other Kenai Peninsula- 2% Average Number of Nights for those who overnighted on the Kenai (3.6) o Seward- 2.0 o Homer- 1.9 o Kenai/Soldotna- 3.2 o Visitor Center Services Members have been asked to update their accommodations and activities pages. We have received calls regarding the missing Old Town Kenai signage. Informed Consumer Protection that we would carry the Alaska Native Arts and Crafts brochure educating visitors about making purchasing decisions. I have asked Bob Frates if his crew can re- habilitate the flower beds. Because of their busy schedule, we purchased flower pots to place in the bed so they can be removed easily when the crew is ready to do the work. o Cultural Center Programs and Exhibits Sticks and Stones: Alaskan Structure Received many compliments about the show, the food and the event Offered two mixed drinks: Cohorita and the Mosquito Mojito. According to Virgil, both were popular with our guests. Accreditation No new news Captain Cook Exhibit Hosted a small unveiling on May 25, 2007 with a presentation by Shane Lopez about his experience working with the journal. Present at the unveiling was Laura Forbes writing for the Peninsula Clarion, Mayor Porter and Board Member Marion Nelson The donors were not present so we will be contacting them to arrange a special luncheon with the media and Mayor Porter. Spoke on June 14, 2007 with McDowell Group representative regarding reference document they are creating on behalf of the Foraker Group for organizations interested in developing their own cultural center. Natasha and I will be assisting the Pratt Museum with planning for the 2007 Museum Alaska Conference in Homer from September 26 29, 2007. Both Natasha and I are on the Alaska Museums Listserve, which provides us with direct contact to the other cultural centers and museums throughout Alaska. Gave Sheila Armstrong, Director of Cultural Tourism for the U.S. Culturual and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, contact information to Michael Hawfield of Museums Alaska to invite her to speak at the 2008 joint conference of Museums Alaska and the Western Museums Association. o Kenai's Saturday Market There are 33 full -time vendors, up from 23 from the start of last year Reviewing request from vendors to extend Market from 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. rather than to 4:00 p.m. Each year the vendors request to open on the 4 of July. We have not done so because the 4 of July festivities have vendors pay to participate. Should this be re- visited and allowed? o Miscellaneous Called Shawn Maltby regarding KCVB hosting the Oilers at an event at the Center before the end of the season as requested by the Board earlier in the year.. Contacted Lauren Agni regarding ATIA's request for proposal for 2010 Convention site. Spoke with Rick Koch, Kenai's City Manager, and the Governor's Kenai office to inquire whether Anchorage was the established location for the upcoming special legislative sessions or whether they would consider other communities such as Kenai. Have been meeting with the planners for the 2008 Rotary District 5010 Annual Conference Coordinating the Kenai River Classic Airport Welcome for July 5 and 6 Met with Larry Porter at the Challenger Learning Center on Thursday, June7 to discuss how KCVB supports his efforts through the our contacts and promotions within the travel industry. The KP Wildlife Viewing Trail was kicked off on June 2n at the Center and 900 copies of the guide now are available for distribution. Patrons o Received $5,889 contribution from MicroSoft for software through TechSoup o Registered for GrantStation through TechSoup for $99, a $300 discount. Travel o August 1 6, 2007, WACVB CEO Forum, Lake Las Vegas, NV o September 16 18, 2007, Alaska Media Roadshow, Santa Barbara, CA o September 26 29, 2007, Museums Alaska Conference in Homer, AK o October 10 13, 2007, Western Association of CVBs, Anchorage, AK o October 1 4, 2007, ATIA Annual Convention, Juneau, AK o 1st week December, ATIA Marketing Committee Retreat, unknown location