MINUTES
MARYLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD
BUSINESS MEETING
June 10, 2008
AGENDA ITEM I - Call to Order/Roll Call
Dave Meloy began the meeting with a request for a moment of silence in honor of Jim McKay, who served as the first Chair of the Maryland Tourism Development Board from 1993-1995. He also acknowledged outgoing Board members Alice Torriente, Bill Ripken, Terry Prather and SergioVitale, expressing the Board’s appreciation for their time and service to the Board.
Dave welcomed Greg Shockley, owner of Shenanigans Restaurant and Pub in Ocean City, and future board member effective July 1, 2008, who was in attendance. Additional new board members with terms beginning July 1, 2008: Christopher Schardt, Senior General Manager at Harborplace & the Gallery in Baltimore; Paul Bales, owner/operator of the Crossing at Casey Jones Restaurant in Charles County; and Matt Taylor, Executive Director of Adventure Sports Center International in Garrett County.
Board members present: Delegate Beitzel, Connie Del Signore, Debbi Dodson, Mike Haynie, Brian Shuy (for Senator Jacobs), Gary Jobson, Peggy Maher, Dave Meloy, Khaled Said, Kathy Sher, Greg Shockley, Sheldon Suga, and Sergio Vitale.
Also in attendance: Executive Directors Council Representatives: Joe Lespier, Mary Jo McCulloch, Roslyn Racanello, Tom Saquella, Sherrie Sims (on behalf of C. Bonnett), Colleen West, Susan Zellers. MADMO Representatives: Craig Peddicord, Erica Stone, Donna Dudley, Rachelina Bonacci along with guest, Sue Emerson (Howard County Director of Business Development), Bernadette Van Pelt, Barb Siegert, Faith Elliott-Rossing. DBED Representatives: Margot Amelia, Pete Chambliss, Liz Fitzsimmons, Bill Pencek, David Rawle, Marci Ross, Denise Konopacki. Guest Speaker: John Maounis, National Park Service.
AGENDA ITEM II - Approval of Minutes – Minutes from the March 11, 2008 meeting were approved unanimously as submitted.
AGENDA ITEM III – Guest Speaker
Margot Amelia introduced Guest Speaker, Mr. John Maounis, Director of the National Park Service. Mr. Maounis proceeded to distribute brochures and give a presentation on the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Hannah Byron has been designated to serve on the Captain John Smith National Historic Advisory Council.
AGENDA ITEM IV – Chairman’s Report – Committee Reports
Workforce Development – Dave Meloy/Bill Pencek – A handout was provided entitled “Maryland Classroom” which is a publication of the Maryland State Department of Education.
One of the articles highlights educating tomorrow’s workforce today. Dave Meloy indicated that he and Mary Jo McCulloch have been working with June Streckfus of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education on a pilot program in Maryland. Bill Pencek added that there is an interest in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor regarding a business mentoring program and there will be a meeting with the Maryland Chamber regarding the pilot program.
Strategic Planning/Marketing – Kathy Sher/Margot Amelia – The Committee met recently and they feel they have put together a very aggressive marketing plan for the state with a great deal of emphasis on the return on investment.
Legislative Affairs – Dave Meloy - SB 458 – Tourism Promotion Act of 2008 – Mr. Meloy thanked everyone for their help and support, particularly Senator Astle for his leadership.
AGENDA ITEM V – Executive Director’s Report
Margot Amelia reported that final FY09 budgets have not been confirmed. The proposed budget is currently in Annapolis for approval. The proposed budget number in the Marketing and Development Plan for FY 2009 is $12,687,609; $7,600,000 for the MTDB and $5,087,609 for OTD. This is an increase of approximately 6% from FY 2008. Ms. Amelia reported that they cannot include a media plan with the new Marketing and Development Plan due to having a new ad agency come on board effective July 1. They will be working with a media buying firm on media planning – Media Works; and will be returning to a former ad agency to develop and produce the creative advertising – TBC. The draft Marketing and Development Plan is in the MTDB binders indicating the overall objectives by units and key strategies for FY 2009. The Marketing Opportunities will be included once they are confirmed and all should be available for distribution in early July. There was mention of the upcoming Strategic Planning Retreat for the MTDB scheduled for September 8 & 9. This upcoming Strategic Plan will include the years 2011 through 2015. Ms. Amelia noted the goals of the current five-year Strategic Plan for the group. She also highlighted OTD’s upcoming action items: continue to work with DBED’s Managing for Results (MFR) team to align OTD’s measures with the Department’s metrics - they are going to track trade show and industry events and work with the Comptroller’s Office to compile and report those tourism tax codes that will be used in the Tourism Promotion Act funding formula.
Margot and OTD staff highlighted the various units and the budgets related to those units within the FY 2009 Marketing and Development Plan.
A motion to approve the draft FY 2009 Marketing and Development Plan was made, seconded, and approved by the MTDB members.
AGENDA ITEM VI – Executive Directors Council (EDC)/MADMO Reports:
EDC
Joe Lespier: He had an opportunity to speak with Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association, regarding doing a tour program together.
Mary Jo McCulloch:
**MD Retailers are reporting the worst year ever – they are down eight percent this year. --Campgrounds are reporting a good season, but noticed a drop in volume from last year, but see the long-term seasonal numbers are up.
**Maryland Tourism Council is working on the upcoming Governor’s Tourism Industry Conference scheduled for November 10-12 at Gaylord National. Tuesday, August 5 is their annual Crab Feast Event to be held at Phillips Annapolis.
**Restaurant Association has a new President, Paul Hartgen, who was in New Hampshire and then in Nevada. He will be a tremendous asset to the industry.
Coleen West reported that the Community Arts Organizations will be having their annual meeting next week. They will be working closely with the Maryland State Arts Council on a new Strategic Plan. There are two new Arts and Entertainment designations – one in Annapolis and one in Havre de Grace.
Susan Zellers reported on the Boating Industry Task Force. This group has established three subcommittees, including one on Marketing. A report is due in November. Fuel prices are hurting the marine industry due to the prices being much higher on the water.
MADMO
Connie Del Signore: The DMOs will participate in the economic research project with the State. At their recent retreat they created an Allied Sponsor Program which will allow more interaction between the DMOs and their providers. They voted to hire Bill Miles on retainer for one year. They are exploring the possibility of changing their organization name to Maryland Destination Marketing Organizations (MDMO). Debbi Dodson is chairing their Governor’s Conference presentation and working directly with Margot Amelia.
AGENDA ITEM VII – Next Meetings:
Monday/Tuesday, 9/8-9/9/08 Times TBD MTDB Strategic Planning Retreat
(OTD Sr. Staff and MTDB Members only) Rocky Gap Resort/Conference Center
Monday, November 10 1-3 p.m. Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center
AGENDA ITEM VIII – Adjournment
