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06-29-2001 Minutes Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee Friday, June 29, 2001 Minutes Board Members Present: Bette Timmel, Gerald Cook, David Fanshier, Debbie Divine Board Members Absent: Brenda Smith, Jana Claeys, Roger Steinbrock, Marlene Leister, Dave Miller, Jennifer Sturges Guests/Staff Present: Sylvia Rice, Tiffany Greene - Chamber Minutes The Minutes of the May meeting were reviewed. Financial Statement The May financial statement was reviewed. The History Channel Great Race Update Tiffany reported that the Great Race was a successful event. The event featured 100 vintage cars that stopped for an evening of festivities on Santa Fe Avenue. The Great Race, LLC reported that the racers were welcomed to Salina by 20,000 ecstatic Great Race fans. Besides the overwhelming crowd, highlights of the event included the US Navy Band, the Crazy Cruisers Local Car Show, a Blues Crawl, and local entertainment. Over 100 volunteers worked with dedication and enthusiasm to make the event a success. Kirkwood, MO - site of the June 21st NBC Today Show broadcast - was selected over Salina as the "best overnight stop." Though it is disappointing that Salina was not selected, the award is secondary to the tremendous exposure, impact and enthusiasm enjoyed by Salina. KSAE Summer Showcase Staff is preparing to host the Kansas Society of Association Executives (KSAE) Summer Showcase, July 12 and 13. This event is open to all KSAE members, and is rotated between communities each year. It provides a marketing opportunity in both the meeting/convention market and tourism market, as participants will represent state associations as well as associate members from other CVBs, Chambers, hotels and attractions. The Chamber is working with other local KSAE members (Holiday Inn and Country Inn & Suites) to host the event, which will include tours, golf, children's activities and continuing education. AFA 2001 Girls Class "B" Nationals Tiffany reported that the American Fast Pitch Association (AF A) has chosen Salina to host their 2001 Girls Class B National Tournament. Sixty to 80 teams are expected to qualify for the tournament. Teams from throughout the United States will compete in the four-day event with multiple teams from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Colorado. All eight fields will be used for tournament play at Bill Burke Park on July 26th_28th. Alliance III Conference Sylvia and Debbie Divine both participated in the Alliance III Conference, hosted in Topeka this month by the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing (KDOCH) Travel & Tourism Division. The two-day conference addressed the concept of niche, or strength marketing, building alliances, and marketing your product - specifically to the group market. Sylvia addressed the first day's agenda, and Debbie reported on the second day's activities. Formal Alliances that have been formed in Kansas to date include: The Arts, Western Frontier, Hunting, Nature-Based, and Aviation. Numerous sub-niches have sprung from those, and other groups have formed to market particular commonalities (i.e., Kansas Adventure Times III). KMCA Sylvia reported that the Kansas Motor Carriers Association State Truck Driving Championship was very successful in the first year in recent history being hosted in Salina. Records were set for the number of competitors (over 100) and the number of attendees at their awards banquet (over 400). A total of 500 were involved in the event, headquartered at the Bicentennial Center and Holiday Inn. The Chamber is working with event sponsor Blue Beacon, Int'l to bring the event back to Salina for coming years. 2002 Getaway Guide The first contact by mail has been made to solicit listings for the 2002 Getaway Guide (state travel guide). Follow up phone calls and faxes will be made as well. The Chamber will produce a one-page, four-color ad for the community, which we will "co-op" with Rolling Hills Refuge. In addition, the Chamber will participate in an exciting two-page, four-color ad with the Kansas 1-70 Association. Upcoming Events Upcoming events were noted. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.