WACVB BOARD MEETING
March 26, 2009
Pontiac Convention Center, Janesville

Attendees: Lynn Peters/Fox Cities, Dave Blank/Racine, Christine Rebout/Janesville, Roger Kist/Washington County, Tammy Tritz/Waukesha-Pewaukee, Romy Snyder/Wisconsin Dells, Dennis DuChene/Kenosha, Chris Hanson/Tomah, Michael Schmal/Fond du Lac, Tom Barrett/Stevens Point, Kathleen Galas/Manitowoc, Doug Neilson/Milwaukee

Absent: Darien Schaefer/Wausau-Central WI, AJ Frels/Wisconsin Rapids, Martha Mitchell/Beloit, Linda Adler/Chippewa Valley, Wendy Hielsberg/Oshkosh, Sharon Kirn/Marshfield, George Hennerley/Lake Geneva, Cari Obst/Bayfield, Jack Moneypenny/Door County, Dave Clements/La Crosse, Deb Archer/Madison, Brad Toll/Green Bay, Bob Duffy/Oconomowoc

Guests:  Amy Boyer, Hamilton Consulting Group

I. CALL TO ORDER 
Secretary Dave Blank called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Introductions were made.

II. CONSENT AGENDA
Lynn Peters made a motion to approve the minutes, Michael Schmal seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.  Romy Snyder reviewed the financials.  Chris made a motion to approve the financials, Christine Rebout seconded and the financials were approved.

III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Hertel said she has been busy with legislative issues.

IV. TEAM REPORTS

a. Government Affairs Team – Dave Blank introduced Amy Boyer to discuss current budget and legislative issues affecting WACVB.  Boyer said voting on budget could start in two weeks. WACVB are focused on the Dept. of Tourism budget and film tax incentives program.  Rep. Mark Pocan, Joint Finance Committee co-chair is supportive of the program with modifications.  Boyer is not sure when it will come up for a vote.  Sen. Decker is still a problem because he sees the incentives as “corporate welfare”. School start date hearing is next week.  School Start survey may be released.  Blank will testify for WACVB.  Members discussed whether WACVB should try to remove the earmarks from the budget or support the budget as proposed by Governor Doyle.  After discussion, Michael Schmal made a motion to support the Department of Tourism’s budget as proposed by Gov. Doyle and Peters seconded.  Motion was approved.  Legislative planning continues.   WACVB opposes SB 1 which would raise the minimum wage to $7.60.  Welcome centers signage for local areas would be good.  Glendale situation may be a case for Coalition for the integrity of Room Tax. 

b. PR Team – Tammy Tritz discussed the WACVB Legislative Day on April 22.  To date, 18 bureaus plan to attend.  Hertel will send out a reminder to those that haven’t responded yet. Team is working on appointments and folder information.  In the future, Hertel will send WACVB e-newsletters to legislators instead of having members forward to their buddies.  This is to help ensure all legislators see what our issues are. 

c. Education Team – Peters reported the CEO Forum went well with 18 participants and evaluations with 4.4 on a 5 scale.  The media training session is April 21 we have 8 registered. There is still time to register.  DMO Certification is being pushed for bureaus that have shown interest.  Next forum topic is creative or alternative funding mechanisms and the plan is to have it in connection with the July board meeting.  Education team is looking into creating a networking tool on escapetowisconsin, similart to the one set up on linked-in.

d. Leisure Team – Kathleen reported that WACVB will be doing an e-newsletter in late April promoting value getaways and a contest.  Hertel will be sending an e-mail to members soliciting information.

e. Membership Team – Tom Barrett presented suggested changes to the associate membership criteria.  Romy made a motion to continue to require bylaws and budget from applicants and make the following changes to the associate membership requirements:  DMOs must have a board of directors or commission as defined by the room tax state statute; DMOs governed by a board must have established bylaws and must have a paid executive director; associate members can attend meetings, but do not have voting rights; associate memberships must spend 51% of its budget on tourism promotion and development. Rebout seconded the motion and the motion passed.  Snyder made a motion to make the following full member criteria changes:  full members must spend at least 75% of their budgets on tourism promotion and development and regular attendance at board meetings is highly encouraged.  Chris Hanson seconded the motion and the motion was approved.

f. Funding Mechanisms Task Force – There was no report.  Doug Nielson has collected information about CA tourism districts for the group.

g. Economic Impact Task Force – Michael Schmal reported that the group hasn’t met.  There was much discussion about the need for education on economic impact.  Barrett said he would share the sporting event research his bureau did a few years ago.  Hertel said she would ask the department about the feasibility of having a sport tournaments/events economic impact figure similar to the Meetings and Convention breakout Davidson Peterson already does.

h. Sports Wisconsin and Meetings & Convention Committee –Neilson said Visit Milwaukee is working on a “stay local” effort and the Department of Tourism is assisting.  One example is Snap-On Tools continue to hold their meeting, but in Milwaukee instead of an incentive destination.  Some members were invited to meet w/Sec. Trumble to discuss meetings and convention marketing.  It is a good sign that the department is making those markets a priority.  Snyder suggested that the Dept of Tourism should do research on which markets generate the biggest impact for their community.  Peters said the Sports Travel magazine Sports Wisconsin ad was not effective and missed the mark. 

V. OLD/NEW BUSINESS – “Live Like you Mean It” discussed.  Some feel it will be difficult to implement in their own destination. Nancy Justman has been hired as Brookfield CVB Executive Director and is expected to start in mid-April.
 
VI. Lunchtime discussion:  Bid fees were discussed and Peters will e-mail a summary of the discussion to members.  Mobile technology policies will be discussed next meeting.

VII. ADJOURNMENT
Kathleen Galas made a motion to adjourn and Barrett seconded it.  Motion was approved.