07-20-2004 Minutes
Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee
Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - Minutes
Members Present: David Fanshier, Ben Vidricksen, Marlene Leister, Bette Timmel, Dave Miller, Jennifer
ShITges,PaulVVebb
Members Absent: Jana Claeys, Bob Brown, Gerald Cook
Guests/Staff Present: Sylvia Rice, Tiffany Greene, Andi Pahl- Chamber Staff
Minutes
The Minutes of the June 2004 meeting were reviewed.
Financial Statement
The May and June Financial Statements were reviewed.
SAFECON Update
Tiffany reported that K-State Salina was selected to host the 2005 SAFECON competition April 25-30. There
are approximately 700 competitors and 300 judges that will attend the event. Tiffany is also helping to
organize three off-campus events: the Awards Banquet at the Salina Bicentennial Center; the Judges Social
potentially held at the Rolling Hills Conference Center; and the Opening Ceremonies potentially held at the
Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts. She will be meeting with Gary Hemphill, President of the National
Intercollegiate Flying Association, and KSU representatives next Tuesday.
Meet Kansas F AM
Sylvia reported that the Meet Kansas coalition is continuing its series of F AM tours. They met in Hays where
they toured the Sternberg Museum on July I and then on to Salina to tour Rolling Hills Zoo July 2: Other
stops included Holiday Inns in both cities, Salina Bicentennial Center and the Stiefel Theatre. The group is
also working on upcoming trade shows and upgrading their website.
2005 Kansas Getaway Guide Final Report
Sylvia announced that the Salina insertions for the 2005 Kansas Getaway Guide have been sent to the State.
There are 58 listings for attractions, hotels, etc. and 36 calendar of event listings. The new guide will be out in
January 2005 with 450,000 copies distributed throughout the state. The deadline for our display advertising is
mid-August.
Wrestline Bid Update
KSHSAA is looking at February dates for their 2006 VVrestling Tournaments. Tiffany reported that the last
weekend of February 2006 looked promising for the event to be held at the Bicentennial Center. Although
nothing is yet confirmed, she believes we have a good chance to have this multi-year event come to Salina
starting in 2006.
Eastern Star Bid
Sylvia reported that she has been working with Eastern Star to bring their conference here for the last couple
of years. This event has been held in Topeka for the last 50 years, but April 2007 looks promising for Salina.
It would be presumably headquartered at the Masonic Center and would also use several hotels. There would
be approximately 500 attendees with a blocking of 300 hotel rooms. Sylvia has met with all concerned parties
to help facilitate this move to Salina. Since Eastern Star is in the process of changing their convention format,
this could be a defining time for the future of this event being held here.
Division Update
Sylvia and Tiffany gave the following Division Update:
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Castle Rock Bed & Breakfast - The bed and breakfast portion of Castle Rock is in the process of being
sold and they are now concentrating on their soap and gourd art production. It is now called the Castle
Rock Soap Factory.
Hospitality Task Force - The newly formed Hospitality task force will meet at the Chamber on July 22.
The group is comprised of local hotel and attraction people and have met several times since spring.
Their discussion topics include front line workers, networking and other various topics in support of
Salina tourism.
Power Point Presentation - Sylvia announced that she and Tiffany would be giving a power point
presentation before the City Commissioners in August that provides an overview of the Convention &
Visitors Division of the Chamber. The presentation was created to address groups such as Leadership
Salina, civic clubs and local organizations and features information about our mission, specific
programs of work, economic impact, services, and Salina's competition for tourist dollars.
Sporting Events Update - Tiffany gave the following sports update: USSSA brought 54 teams to
Salina in July and ASA brought 32 teams; the KS ASA men and women's tournaments are August 6-8;
and the KSHSAA girls' lA, 2A, 3A and 4A golftournaments will be held at the Salina Municipal Golf
Course October 18 with 100 competitors in addition to 250 spectators. Tiffany is sending out a press
release today regarding this tournament.
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Upcomine Meetines/Conventions and Community Events
Upcoming meetings, conventions and events were noted.
Other Business
David Fanshier announced that NATA voted to prepare a proposal to have their 2006 convention in Salina. This
could include the use of the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel being constructed, the Holiday Inn Holidome,
Rolling Hills Conference Center, and the Salina Bicentennial Center. He will update us on the proposal in the
fuhITe.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.