HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-24 MemorandumTO: Kenai CVB Board of Directors
FROM: Mya Renken, Executive Director
RE: Executive Director's Report
DATE: September 24, 2006
MEMORANDUM
Administration
o Staff update
Received notice informing us Harold's last month will be February, 2007. After discussion,
his last month on the MASST program (state funded program) will be April, 2007, at which
time we will hire him to manage Kenai's Saturday Market.
Natasha will be attending pre- conference training at Museums Alaska and will be
representing us at a strategic planning session with other cultural centers in Alaska.
I have been invited to participate in KPC's Career Day for high school students on November
10, 2006.
Beginning next month, staff w /ill be taking half a day once a month to work on a service
project within the community, to be determined by staff. This is a way for us to spend time
together outside our work roles while giving back to the community that supports our mission.
o ATIA's Marketing Committee voted to re- allocate $6,000 of research dollars to determine impact of
Ballot Measure #2 on visitors.
Received email through ATIA's website from individual who said they have now decided to
cruise to another destination where they don't impose tax on people vacationing in their state.
o Responded to inquiry from Wasilla regarding whether KCVB receives funding from the City of Kenai
to promote tourism.
o Wrote recommendation letters for Celia Anderson and Ricardo Capachilli
o The Boys and Girls Club asked if KCVB would be interested in participating in Trunk or Treat this
year.
KCVB
o Destination Marketing
Purchased ads in ATIA cooperative marketing program to place an ad in Frommer's
Budget Travel, Sunset Magazine, and Outdoors.
Reviewing consumer shows ATIA will be attending, including the Adventures in Travel
Expos in NYC and LA and the Quartzsite RV show in Quartzsite, AZ.
Intend to send our brochures for distribution at the seven (7) shows ATIA is attending.
Received Paul Gray's draft video on Kenai and the Center.
Arranged an impromptu focus group with visitors in the facility who reviewed it and
made comments about the segment.
We are working with two KCHS students on their community project to develop a brief
promotional movie about Kenai.
We will be placing an ad on ATIA's 2006/2007 German website.
o Visitor Center Services
Received 2058 inquiries through ATIA's website from November, 2005 August, 2006.
Distributed an email for room rates for Officer Ben Langham, KPD for a class they are holding
at the Center in December.
The City of Kenai contracted with an individual to create a virtual 360 degree tour of the
Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, to be placed on their website. We will link to it once it is
completed.
o Cultural Center Programs and Exhibits
The Kenai Experience
The show is wrapped up and we are beginning to work on next year's show and
sponsors.
Sticks and Stones: Structured Alaska
Sponsor packets will be mailed upon Natasha's return from Museums Alaska
Confirmed participation in the 2007 Great Alaskan Toursaver with a 2 for 1 entrance.
Ed Martin was referred to the Center as a location to display the thousands of four -leaf
clovers he has found in the area. Spoke with Mr. Martin and asked him to keep us informed
about when Guinness would officially recognize his achievement. At this point we would
work with Chambers in which they were collected on a "luckiest place in the world" campaign
and get these out into those communities.
Faxed Cary Graves the loan documents we use for an exhibit they will be displaying in the
Council Chamber's glass display case.
o KEDS
Kenai's Saturday Market
Last market day was September 16, 2006.
Some of the produce growers are using the parking lot to sell their produce. Will
make sure they don't use the Chamber's and due to liability concerns.
A potluck lunch is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.
here at the Center.
Kenai River Marathon
This is the final push for the race, which will be held on October 1, 2006
A party will follow the race with brats and beer from the local breweries.
Volunteers are welcomed to help out at the Center
o ATIA
Attended the Marketing Committee meeting at Girdwood on September 14, 2006.
Will be out attending annual convention in Valdez on October 9 13, 2006.
o Peninsula Clarion Visitor Guide
Nothing new to report
o Miscellaneous Projects
Agreed to partner with the Peninsula Small Business Development Center and the
Kenai Chamber on a tourism marketing program.
KPTMC requested this program be placed on hold since we are working to host Joe
Veneto while he is in Alaska working with ACVB and Mat -Su CVB.
Working with Mark Gregory, KPTMC, Kenai Chamber and Soldotna Chamber to
determine whether there are funds to place towards this program rather than the
program initially proposed.
Joe Veneto's program would result in tour packages for businesses to sell and the
dmos (destination marketing organizations) to promote.
Janie suggested waiting until after October for the quarterly joint meeting with the
Chamber because of their annual beer and wine fundraiser.
o Travel
October 4 7, 2006- Juneau for Museums Alaska (Mya and Natasha)
October 9 13, 2006- Valdez for ATIA Annual Convention (Mya)
October 18 October 25, 2006- New York for Alaska Media Roadshow (Mya)
Patrons
o Incorporation
Form 1023 was mailed to the delight of all involved!
The officers of the Patrons of the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center are:
President- Sasha Lindgren
Secretary- Lori McLennan
Treasurer- Ron Malston