Dec. 5, 2007
Marketing Committee
Stanford Inn, Mendocino

The meeting was called to order by Richard Strom at 10:15 am. Present were, Jan Rodriguez, Mike Bradbrook, Josie Perla, Scott Schneider, Jeff Stanford, Kathy Carpenito, Jamie Buckner (guest), Penny Greenwood (guest), James Bernard (guest) Jo Bradley (11am), Stuart Marcus (11am), Cally Dym (11am). Phone:

Minutes to be approved – tabled until next meeting.

Chairman’s Report:
• Richard reports we have one extra member. Scott to send an email asking if any members do not want to be on Committee any longer. If more than one opts out of the Committee, we have a smaller committee.

Administration Report:
• Joint Marketing – Finding many mushroom events already happened and people are not willing to do events in January. WOW! Event Productions was hired to help put on the festivals. Event is coming out in the next month or so – guide is a month behind. We are getting a free billboard outside Ukiah until the end of the festival. Dobay Design was hired for 2008 for creative and SEO.
• North Coast Tourism update
• Idea for pay-to-play at travel shows. Committee felt it was not a good idea. Approach Chambers for their brochures to hand out. Jeff moves we have “destination brochures & wine map” to hand-out at travel shows. Nothing on newsprint will be handed out. Josie Seconds. Motion Passes.
• Nature Tourism update – Penny Greenwood & James Bernard – Coalition has been working hard over the last year getting established to promote Mendocino County’s natural resources without “loving it to death”. Coalition is following framework for environmental tourism planning. Currently evaluating resources through a grant received by numerous County organizations. Organization received funds from Mendo Lake Credit Union and MCPA to run the day-to-day operations. Group is considering 501©3 process.

Old Business:
• Distribution of fulfillment piece – 6 Welcome Centers are receiving brochures directly. We are still in contact with the other 7 to see if we can send them directly. Out-of-State distribution by Certified. Committee feels it is not a good investment – too expensive. Scott to explore Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas and LAX airports to have our brochures.

New Business:
• Partnership Requests:
o Coast Chamber – we will not fund as there is no official request
o Inland event – no event as of yet, thus no official request – Richard proposes a sub-committee to look at expanding “Day of the Dead” event to be County-wide. Cally & Scott to work on details.
o Fort Bragg Blues & Folk Festival – request from KOZT – request is tabled until we look at our other county-wide requests. Priority is County-wide.
• Niche Marketing Discussion – idea to hire an outside contractor to look at our different options – get details and make recommendations to committee. Scott to look into finding someone to do research who is knowledgeable in SEM and marketing to work with Stuart, Kathy, Jeff & Scott (sub-committee). Sub-committee to report back at February meeting.
• Co-op Advertising – do we want to do it? No action taken.
• PR/Wine partnership – we have been approached by individual wineries and appellations. Shall we partner? Invite Bob Nye & Larry Londer to next Marketing Committee meeting to explain partnership.
• Election of Chair/Vice-Chair – Jeff nominates Richard as Chair. Jan seconds. Motion Passes. Richard nominates Jan. Cally seconds. Motion Passes.
• MCLA Gift Certificates – tabled to Board Meeting
• Ozone Presentation – David McGrane – presented new creative ideas.
• Discuss new Airport Ad at next meeting.


Stuart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:40pm. Kathy seconds the motion. It was approved.