March 5, 2008
Marketing Committee
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA

The meeting was called to order by Richard Strom at 10:20 am. Present were, Richard Strom, Josie Perla, Scott Schneider, Stuart Marcus, Renata Dorn, Pam Amante, Jan Rodriguez, Mike Bradbrook, Alydia Atkins (guest). Phone: None.

Privilege of the Floor: CA Drives ad was not approved as the vote was 5-4 against doing the ad. We will work with Sunset Publishing on updating the map and drives for the North Coast to properly represent Mendocino County.

Minutes to be approved –Jan motions to approve. Josie seconds. Motion passes.

Chairman’s Report:
• Richard will be stepping down as Chairman of the Marketing Committee after this meeting as he is being hired as Special Projects Director for the MCPA. Overall feeling is Richard has done a wonderful job as Chairman and will be missed. Richard is very valuable to the MCLA and its BID efforts. An email will be sent out announcing resignation and asking for nominations for a new Chairman. Elections will be held at the beginning of the next Meeting.

Administration Report:
• Joint Marketing -
o Marketing Survey & Plan – RFP has been sent out. Firm to hopefully be hired in March.
o RFP sent out for Photographer to be hired at March meeting. Contract with photographer should be clear that any members within the organizations may use the photos.
o MCLA Marketing Committee members encouraged to attend next meeting.
o JMC developing programs for 2008-2009 fiscal year as the MWWC is beginning their strategic planning now.
o www.gomendo.com has a new homepage. Site is consistently being evaluated and updated.
o Corey from WOW! Event Productions presented report on Taste Mendocino. Evaluation was emailed out to the Committee. A suggestion is to do a Mendocino County “Eco Fest” in the fall. MCLA to discuss whether to use Hype House to bring media to this festival as well as the Crab festival in January. Jan motions we support the concept of an Eco-Fest. Pam Seconds. Motion Passes.
• LA Times Travel Show –
o Handed out 3000 bags of information. On 2nd day required people to fill out forms prior to receiving a bag.
o Scott suggests re-sign up for next year’s show. Pam motions we attend the LA Times Travel Expo in February in 2009. Jan seconds. Motion Passes. Committee members encouraged to attend.
• Scott encouraging all marketing committee members to attend promotional seminar on March 11th. He asks for RSVP’s.
• Marketing budget is on-line. However, Scott suggests we move funds from Website Development to “Other Marketing” or “Sales Effort”.
• Scott reports a new travel show in Seattle September 13 & 14, 2008. Jan motions we attend the Seattle Travel Expo. Stuart seconds. Motion passes.
• Scott asks for a Board Member to attend CTTC media event in San Francisco on April 22. Scott to send an email to event.
• MCLA doing the SFCVB Member Showcase on April 8th. Members encouraged to attend.
• Josie motions we move $12,000 from website budget into “Sales Effort” Budget. Mike seconds. Motion passes.
• Scott suggests the Committee meet for a ½ day strategic planning session for the 2008-2009 fiscal year to dissect the budget and activities. Session should be held after firm for Marketing Survey & Plan is hired and underway.

Old Business:
• Airport ad contract – contract received from Walker Group Advertising Group. 15% discount continued. 15% on production costs added to contract.
o Scott to work with airport on installing a brochure rack.
o Stuart motions we continue the ad at the Santa Rosa airport. Pam seconds. Motion Passes.
• Niche Marketing Discussion – Committee consisting of Stuart, Pam, Jeff, Cally & Scott to meet prior to next Committee meeting to explore options.
• Partnership funding policy and form(s) – Scott to develop template for long-term partnerships with “outs” for non-performance.
o Scott to edit language in policy regarding funds not being rewarded if they disproportionately benefit a group or type of lodgings. (make it a positive).
o Scott to develop application form to supplement policy.

New Business:
• Partnership Requests:
o None Received
o Update on Nature Tourism Coalition – strategic planning session held in February to further define its goals and strategies to achieve those goals. Feeling from Committee member there are no concrete deliverables coming from the Coalition. They have deliverables with MCLA, but nothing is being produced otherwise. Jan motions we amend the current deliverable with NTC to include a county-wide eco-tourism database and map to be in progress by June 2008. It was our belief that a map would be a priority of the NTC in their immediate future. Pam seconds. Motion Passes. NTC to be invited to next Marketing Committee meeting to discuss deliverables.

Jan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:35pm. Pam seconds the motion. It was approved.