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04-24-1998 Minutes Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee Friday, April 24, 1998 7:30 AM - Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Members Present: Roger Stein brock, Dave Fanshier Members Absent: Brenda Smith, Don Heath, Mark Ritter, Elizabeth Feist, Carol McCall, Gierald Cook, Linda Weis, Bob Harvey Staff/Guests Present: Keith Rawlings, Salina Bicentennial Center; Sylvia Rice & Tiffany Greene, Chamber The minutes from the March meeting were reviewed. The latest financial statement was reviewed. Kansas Travel & Event Guide Sylvia reported that information about the listings available in the 1999 Travel & Event Guide has been mailed to local businesses, including motels, restaurants, attractions, and so forth. Once again, the Chamber has purchased a bulk of listings to enable our members to take advantage of a $38 rate rather than the usual $50 fee. Region VI Basketball Tiffany reported that Salina received a three year contract to host the Region VI Junior College Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments starting in 1999 and continuing through 2001. Salina was selected over five other sites that bid on the event. Proposals were presented by The Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, the Hutchinson Sports Arena, Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, and Wichita State's Henry Levitt Arena-- where the tournament has been held for the past six years. The tournament will be held at the Bicentennial Center on March 6 - 9, 1999; March 4 - 7, 2000; March 3 - 6, 2001. Salina successfully hosted the men's tournament in 1990 and 1991. Salina's attendance during that time exceeded that of Wichita's. Another factor that contributed to moving the tournament back to Salina was the support and execution that was found at the Women's NJCAA National. This tournament will eliminate the Bicentennial Center as the site for the KSHSAA 5A Sub-state tournament which Salina has hosted for the past two years. The All America Tournament Tiffany reported that the teams for The 1998 All America Tournament are confirmed. They include Barton County Community College--Great Bend, KS; Brown Mackie College--Salina, KS; Butler County Community College--EI Dorado, KS; Dixie College--St. George, UT; Eastern Wyoming College--Torrington, WY; Meridian Community College--Meridian, MS; Moberly Area Community College--Moberly, MO; College of Southern Idaho--Twin Falls, ID. This year several improvements have been made to the tournament. Most Significant, by pushing the tournament forward two weeks, Recruiters and NCAA Coaches will be able to attend. Last year the tournament hit a black out period where NCAA recruiting was not permitted. 1-70 Association Sylvia reported that she will participate in the annual 1-70 Association retreat this month at Lake Wilson. Currently, she is involved in final preparations for the printing of their new Brochure and Service Guide. Post Rock Group An informal group of people involved in some way in the tourism industry has met in the Wilson area. Sylvia reported that she attended their initial meeting at Kansas Originals. Their primary goal seems to be to market those attractions, events and businesses lying between Salina and Hays along :100 miles of 1-70. They are planning to create a new membership organization. Although some members of the group continue to ask for a commitment from the Chamber, it has been difficult to determine exactly what kind of commitment they expect. Other parts of the group have been less enthusiastic about Salina's involvement. There are concerns about many of the planned functions of this membership organization which may conflict with the Chamber's function. Sylvia reported that at the present time, it would be difficult to provide staff time or dollars to this project. SA State Softball/Baseball Tournament Tiffany reported that Salina will again host the KSHSAA Softball and Baseball tournaments. Softball will be held at the East Crawford Recreation Area, and Baseball will be held at Dean Evan's Stadium, on May 29-30, 1998. The Championships will bring 16 teams and approximately 3000 people to Salina. Super Series Baseball Tiffany reported that Salina will also host the Super Series Baseball Tournament on May 15-16, 1998. The event will bring 40 to 50 boy's baseball teams to Salina. The players are between ages 9 and 15. They will utilize approximately 500 lodging rooms for 1400 players, spectators and fans. The Super Series tournaments started in Omaha, Nebraska where there are 3 Super Series tournaments per year. They have over 100 teams per tournament. Super Series decided to host a tournament in Salina because of our superb facilities. They are also adding tournaments in Colorado and California. Salina, Discover the Crossroads magazine Sylvia reported that the second issue of our updated magazine format will be distributed the first of June. This issue will highlight the Smoky Hill River Festival, with possible features on the annual Square Dance Festival, the Smoky Hill Museum, and Salina's love of summer baseball/softball. The History Channel Great Race Tiffany reported that Salina will host a Pit Stop for the History Channel Great Race on Saturday, June 6, 1998. This 16th annual time controlled vintage car rally race starts in Tacoma, Washington and finishes in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The race lasts 14 days and will feature approximately 70 vintage cars built before 1951. Participants in the Great Race compete for $250,000 in prizes over the 4,000 mile route. Racers will enter Santa Fe around 9:00 AM. Cars will arrive in one minute intervals and stay for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The event will last approximately 1 1/2 hours. Spectators are invited to watch the event on Santa Fe between Walnut and Iron. Salina has successfully hosted an overnight stop for the Great Race in 1991. In fact, Salina won the top host award in which The Salina Public Library received $5,000. By hosting the Pit Stop in 1998 Salina will again be eligible for that award. Convention Updates Sylvia reported that in the first quarter of the year, the Chamber has worked with more than 60 groups/events holding conventions and meetings in Salina. In addition, approximately 56 rnotorcoach overnights have been reported to the Chamber. Tourism Week May 3-9 is National Tourism Week. Sylvia and Tiffany will be sending/delivering cookies to local motels/hotels to thank them for their continued service to the traveling public. Events/Announcements The list of upcoming events were reviewed from the agenda. Keith Rawlings offered a glowing commendation for Tiffany's work during the NJCAA Women's National Basketball Championship. He commented that she handled the event ably, professionally, and represented Salina and the Chamber very well. Way to go Tiff!!!!! Next meeting The next meeting was set for May 22, 1998 at 7:30 am in the Chamber office.