Mendocino County Lodging Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Gualala Art Center, Gualala, CA

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Kevin Gallagher at 1:05pm. Present were Scott Schneider (ED), Pam Amante, Jo Bradley, Cally Dym, Christina Affinito, Kevin Gallagher, Renata Dorn, Phil Walker, Elaine Bryant (guest), Louis Bohannan (guest), Arline Bloom (guest). Phone: Chris Knoerdel, Stuart Marcus, Richard Strom

Privilege of the Floor
• Cally presents a partnership request for “Day of The Dead” festival for MCLA to be the fiscal sponsor of the festival. Jeff moved MCLA become the fiscal sponsor of the festival for 2008. Pam seconded. Motion Passed.

Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes
Cally moved to approve June minutes. Jo seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report
• We are ahead in our finances over $100,000.00 providing the contingency fund we sought.
• Jo reported on non-paying properties and to some degree what MCLA and the County were doing to collect these funds including penalties and interest. Jo will contact MCLA attorney regarding how to deal with non-BID payers.
Savings Account - $55616.84
Checking Account - $6645.05
Jeff moved to approve treasurer’s report with commendation to past and present treasurers and Scott for an excellent job and keeping us fiscally responsible. Renata seconded. Motion Passed.

MCPA Report
• County contract was approved for 2008-2009.
• County lifted cap and has given MCPA a straight 50% match and has the language in next year’s contract to do the same.
• Agri-Tourism conference scheduled for November 12 in Ukiah
• Approved use of alternate Board Members
• Working on establishing a 501(c)3 to apply for grants
• Working on Confusion Hill bridge dedication and possible visitor center
• In process of hiring a Joint Marketing Event Coordinator
• Approved 2008-2009 budget

Marketing Committee Report
• Joint Marketing:
• Marketing project one month behind schedule due to slow return of surveys
• SEM Update – eVisions updated committee on SEM activities. Recommendations given to add “redwoods” ad group and do more hotel/lodging keywords and add a “green” ad group
• Update from Mendocino Arts Showcase (MAS) – Barbara from Gualala Arts gave an annual report for 2008. Discussed additional members, advertising and other activities. MAS very grateful for our partnership. They are working on more partnerships, more cooperative advertising in 2009.
• Jeff reported on meetings with Paige Poulos, Anderson Valley Winegrower’s Association and Ozone
• Jeff moved that the By-Law Committee (Richard) draft by-law changes to restructure the Marketing Committee into a smaller, more advisory role. Jo seconded. Motion Passed.
• Jeff moved that the By-Law Committee (Richard) to draft by-law changes allowing MCLA to create a non-voting associate membership category. Pam seconded Motion Passed
• Partnership Request: The Marketing Committee requested that Jan put partnership protocol on the October agenda to consider changing how they are done.
o Paul Bunyan Days – Tabled as event has passed.
o Day of the Dead – Jeff motioned we grant “Day of the Dead” $1,000 from the contingency fund. Richard seconded. Motion Passed.

Administration Report
• Scott encourages attendance at the “Beyond the Gateways” conference in Santa Rosa Sept. 29 – Oct 1.
• Annual meeting is Sept. 24 @ Goldeneye Winery in Philo. Theme will be “Save Green by Being Green”. Hours will be from 11:30 – 4:00. Board members asked to RSVP.
• Associate membership category being developed.
• County approved 2008-2009 contract.
• Presented Film Office annual report
• Correspondence: Letter received from Tom Kravis. Most of the Board had not seen the letter prior to the meeting and Scott recommended he, Jo, Jan and perhaps others meet with Mr. Kravis in person in the next couple of months. Board members felt that we need to find another way(s) to reach out to MCLA membership – the newsletter, website and email communications do not always work. It was further discussed to develop an internal PR/marketing effort to better inform our members and the community of our work, including creating a forum on mcla.info for members to ask questions to be responded to by Scott. Scott to draft a reply to Tom referring to legitimate concerns for the Board to review and edit. In the meantime, Scott to acknowledge receipt of the letter and encourage Tom to come to Annual meeting on the 24th.

Old Business
• By-Law Changes – tabled to October to deal with recommended by-law changes above
• MCPA Alternates – a function of by-law changes
• HypeHouse Contract – Pam motioned we contract with HypeHouse for a 12 month period with a re-examination of scope of work after 120 days. Executive Director has authority to execute contract once amended. Jeff seconded. Motion Passed.

New Business
• Preview of “Putting Heads in Beds through PR- the Gestation of a Media Story from Conception to Delivery” – Scott presented PowerPoint of draft presentation to be given by Mark at annual meeting.

Next Meeting
Scheduled for October 8th, North Cliff Restaurant, Fort Bragg.

Adjournment - Jo motioned to adjourn. Pam seconded. 4:15pm