Mendocino County Lodging Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Fairfield Inn, Ukiah, CA

The meeting was called to order by President Jan Rodriguez at 11:10am. Present were Scott Schneider (ED), Jo Bradley, Jeff Stanford, Cally Dym, Josie Perla, Renata Dorn, Stuart Marcus, Richard Strom, Pam Amante, Jitu Ishwar, Phil Walker, Raakesh Patel, Louis Bohannan (guest), Alydia Atkins (guest), Aimee Hanson (guest), Jason Hurst (guest). Phone: Chris Knoerdel

President’s Report – Closed Session

Privilege of the Floor
• Introductions were held

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

Treasurer’s Report
Savings Account - $134,329.23
Checking Account - $5,313.13
Jitu moved moving $1,000 from “Annual Meeting” category to “Telephone/ Telecommunications” category and moving $750 from “Accountant Fees” to “Office Supplies” Cally seconded. Motion Passed.
Jo moved to approve treasurer’s report. Richard seconded. Motion Passed.
Renata moves to open a new checking account if not all proper paperwork is submitted to the bank by January 15, 2009. Jo seconds. Motion Passes.

MCPA Report
• No meeting was held
• Crab & Wine guides are being distributed

Administration Report
• Geotourism Initiative – nomination process is beginning in the next few weeks. Mapguide to be done at the beginning of 2010. Community meetings will be held throughout the region to inform people of the initiative and to receive nominations
• Visitor Center Update – no update
• Chronicle Ad & Sacramento Bee Ad – 7 voted yes, 2 voted no. Chronicle ads cost $5424.00. Bee ad costs $1850.00.
• Presented research from Randall Travel Marketing recommending not using the word “County” after every time we use the word “Mendocino”.
• Bay Area Travel Show coming up. We have volunteers to cover most shifts – some Board members and some others (winery operator & attractions operator)
• Introduced Aimee Hanson – Scott’s new Executive Assistant
• CTTC Airstream sponsorship for AMGEN of California & other events – Pam motions we approve the $2,000 for the sponsorship. Chris seconded. Motion passes.
• Sunset Celebration Days – Richard motions to submit an application to attend the show for a cost of $1,300 (includes corner space & will be refunded if application is denied). Pam seconds. Motion Passes.
• Post Annual Report and Annual Plan on www.mcla.info – board felt it was a good idea
• Advertising in new Mendocino Visitor Guide for lodging – each lodging member gets basic listing. Option to go “bold” and option to have “picture” – costs more… Board felt lodging can advertise in any ads in and around the lodging sections of the guide as well as offer enhanced listings in the guide.
• Join Sacramento CVB for $500 annually – creates many partnership opportunities. Pam motions to join the Sacramento CVB. Jitu seconds. Motion Passes.

Marketing Committee Report
• Media Plan presentation – Richard motions to approve the presented media plan without sfgate.com and the Comcast.net proposal. Jo seconds. Motion Passes. Scott to research other opportunities in South Bay, East Bay & North Bay. Comcast to present tourism grant proposal at next Board Meeting.
• Partnership Requests
o Mendocino Coast Writer’s Conference - $1,000 – Stuart motions to fund $500 towards this partnership effort. Richard seconds. Along with what is already proposed, the program must mention www.gomendo.com with logo, we receive all marketing information they use to advertise for our own use to invite other writer’s, and extend invitations to all Bookstores in the County. Motion Passes.

Old Business
• By-Law Changes – Tabled to February meeting
• MCPA Alternates – included in By-Law changes
• Partnership Protocol – Tabled to February meeting

New Business
• 2009-2010 Annual Report – Pam motions to approve the 2009-2010 annual report. Jitu seconds. Small edits to be sent to Scott in the next 24 hours. Motion Passes.
• “Visit Mendocino” update – Still in formative stage as discussed in 1st meeting, next meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, 1pm at Handley Cellars, open to all interested

Next Meeting
Scheduled for February 11 @ 11am, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, Ca

Adjournment - Cally motioned to adjourn. Chris seconded. 4:50pm