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Volusia County Tourist Development Council
Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2004 - 9:00 a.m.
Ocean Center

Chairman Bruno called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Approval of Minutes of Meeting on October 12, 2004
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes with all in favor. The minutes will now start to be posted on the internet immediately after approval by the board members.

Status Report on Expansion:
Meeting was turned over to Matt Greeson, Assistant County Manager. A follow up report was handed out on the update. Financing is in place for the project. Phase III is the design of the expansion of all the structural part such as air conditioning, plumbing etc. for the two hundred and eighteen thousand square feet of new space. The first reading of the right-of-way was presented to the Daytona Beach City Commission on October 20th and unanimously approved with a few conditions. First is acceptance by the City Staff and second execution of an easement over the utility relocation. The final site plan approval will be presented to the Main Street Redevelopment Board in December. The meeting with our architects will be held on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 to show the new design. The county requires that one half to one percent of any project of this magnitude be dedicated to public art and a committee is designated to handle the selection of that art. An open house public forum is being planned for December 7 at the Ocean Center to see the new design.

Events and Conventions Bookings Report:
Chad Smith distributed a packet with information on upcoming events and convention bookings. A National Indoor Football Team called the Daytona Hawgs will start playing at the Ocean Center in March.

Review of Marketing Plan / Update Time Lines
Mike Wilds reported that the campaign has three parts, which is the current ongoing campaign, then launch a campaign for the new expansion and then the full campaign. The current campaign is to let people know about the greater use pattern, the launch campaign should start in January with a specific campaign on the expansion showing the capacity of the meeting rooms and banquet hall etc., and the full campaign will include all the ad authorities, hotel people, county government, media etc.

Update From Partners:
A report will be updated and presented to Frank Bruno from the Hotel – Motel People. Bookings report and a marketing report will be presented at the meetings. A financial report will be given quarterly. The schedule of meetings has to be adjusted because the CVB/Ad Authority meets at the same time.

Old Business:
Jim Bazemore requested a simplier financial report.

New Business:
Lori Campbell Baker updated everyone on the condition of the hotel industry and beach. The hotels are about 80 percent up now and the beach is in good condition. She is working with Bright House Networks on a PR campaign.

John Masiarczyk requested a copy of the bond documents, insurance report and ratings report. He suggested that there could be more local campaigning with package deals to encourage businesses to use Daytona Beach as employee incentives.

Stuart Arp gave an update on the expansion and renovation of Adam’s Mark. The project will be totally completed by April 1 and will reopen as The Hilton.

Lori Campbell Baker requested we monitor the hotels that are being demolished and/or being converted into condominiums, as that will impact the revenue.

Adjournment:
Next meeting will be held on December 14. Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM.

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Volusia County, Florida.