Education & Conf. Ctr NamingMEMORANDUM
November 13, 2002
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Education and Conference Center Naming Committee
SUBJECT:Naming of Education and Conference Center
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you information regarding the process
used to recommend a name for the new education and conference center and to
request City Council approval of the recommendation
Discussion
In July the City Council approved a process to develop a recommendation for the name
of the new education and conference center. This process included a committee made
up of representatives from the America's River partnership. The following individuals
participated on this committee:
Mayor Terry Duggan
Councilmember Pat Cline
Councilmember John Markham
Jerry Enzler, DCHS
Teri Goodman, DCHS
Jeff Holmes, DCHS
Sue Czeshinski, CVB
Dick Wertzberger, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Jim Rix, Platinum Hospitality
Sue Moran, Platinum Hospitality
Gary Inks, Platinum Hospitality
Susan Gwiasda, City of Dubuque
Tammy Gehling, City of Dubuque
Cindy Steinhauser, City of Dubuque, facilitator
The committee met on October 23 to review the process. Based upon this meeting a
special letter was sent to key representatives from the Dubuque media or individuals
with marketing expertise. A copy of the individuals and the letter that was sent to them
are included as attachment A. These individuals were invited to submit their
suggestions for this facility. A copy of the extedor rendering was included to aid them in
creative suggestion. The committee met again on November 6 to review the 55
suggestions that had been submitted. A copy of the suggestions is included as
attachment B. Several of these suggestions had to be eliminated due to their use on an
existing facility. Based upon the discussion from the naming committee the
recommendation Grand River Center was unanimously selected for the new facility.
The rationale for this recommendation was based upon several factors including:
· The need for a short and succinct name for publication and marketing efforts;
· The definition of the Mississippi River as a Grand River;
The name complements the new Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark; and
· The design of the facility is meant to reflect the river.
Action
The requested action is for City Council to approve the committee recommendation for
the new education and conference center as the Grand River Center.
Cc:
Micheal C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
Education and Conference Center Naming Committee
Attachment A
October 24, 2002
<<Fname>> <<Lname>>
<<Address>>
Dear <<Fname)>,
As the Mayor of Dubuque, I am asking for your help on an exciting project. You have been
identified as someone with a creative mind and a background in marketing. Because of these
talents we are asking for your help in naming of one of the most important structures to be
constructed in Dubuque and on our riverffont.
Recently the City Council approved of a process to determine a permanent name for the new
education and conference center, a key component of the America's River project. This facility
is currently referred to as the Mississippi River National Education and Conference Center. A
committee consisting of representatives from the City Council, Dubuque County Historical
Society, Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau, Platinum Hospitality and city staff has been
established to facilitate this project. This committee has met and has discussed sohciting
potential names from creative individuals such as yourself. In an effort to streamline this process
we are asking that you take time to review the packet of information about the conference center
facility and share your ideas and suggestions on potential names. The committee will be meeting
on Wednesday, November 6 to review the input received and finalize a recommendation for City
Council approval.
Please feel free to submit any suggestions you may have, along with a brief summary of why you
think this name makes sense for this facility, to our assistant city manager Cindy Steinhauser,
City of Dubuque 50 West 13th Street, 52001 or csteinha@cityofdubuque.org. You may also
contact Cindy at 589-4110 if you have any questions or concerns regarding this request. We
would appreciate receiving your suggestions by Friday November 1. Thank you in advance
for your willingness to assist us in this very important project.
Sincerely,
Terry Duggan,
Mayor
Attachment A
List of media and creative individuals letter was sent to:
Tom Yunt, TH
Connie Gibbs, TH
Gary Olson
Paul Hemmer
Jack McCullough, McCullough Graphics
Tom Culbertson, Get Smart Design
Jeff MacFarlane, Get Smart Design
Peggy Hudson, American Trust
Joe Heam, DuPaco Community Credit Union
Mike Schmalz, Refinery Design
Bill Smith, Esser, Smith and Associates
Chris Apel, Loras College
Mike Cyze, Clarke College
Peter Smith, University of Dubuque
Bryce Parks, Dubuque 365
Doug Fisher, Diamond Jo
Katie Krieg, Dubuque Greyhound Park
Paula Lang, Holiday Inn
Cathy Goodman, Big Fish Creative
Gordie Kilgore
Rob Kundert, Renaissance Communication
Grey Birkett, Dubuque Advertiser
Karen Lyness, DuTrac Community Credit Union
Kdsti Brachman, University of Dubuque
Greg Maim, Key City Coffee
Lynn Malony, Harcourt Religion Publisher
Mary Kay Mueller, Loras College
Dianna Kirkwood, Mercy Medical Center
Jan Powers, Powers of Communication
Randy Gehl, Clarke College
Al Gdvetti, Clarke College
Valorie Woerdefhoff, Loras College
Brian Zeman, On Media
Abdul Karim Sinno, Clarke College
Attachment B
1. America's Center
2. America's River Center*
3. America's River Conference Center*
4. D.R.E.A.M. Center- Dubuque Regional Education And Mississippi Center
5. Destination Dubuque Center
6. Eagle View Center
7. Eagle Watch Center
8. Fleur De Lis Center
9. Grand Bluffs Center
10.Grand River Center
11. Great River Center
12. Harbor Place
13. Harbor Place Conference Center
14. Julien Dubuque Center*
15. Key City Center
16. Key City Conference Center
17. Majestic Bluffs Center
18. Majestic Center
19. Majestic River Center
20. Majestic View Center
21. Mark Twain Center*
22. Mark Twain Conference Center
23. Masterpiece Center
24. Masterpiece Events Center
25. Middle America Conference Center
26. Mighty Mississippi Center
27. Mississippi Harbor Place or Center
28. Mississippi Rendezvous
29. Mississippi River Center*
30. Mississippi River View Center
31. MRC - Mississippi River Reflections Conference Center
32. Muddy Mississippi Center
33. Panoramic Place or Center
34. Port of Dubuque Center*
35. Renaissance Center
36. River Renaissance Center
37. River Rendezvous Center
38. River View Place
39. River's Edge Center
40. River's Edge Conference Center
41. Riverview Convention Center
Attachment B
42. Rolling River Conference Complex
43. Seven Hills Center
44. Seven Hills Convention Center
45. Shot Tower Center
46. Spirit Convention Centre
47.Stephen E. Ambrose Education and Conference Center
48. The Destination
49. The Dubuque Center
50.The Mississippi River Vision Centre
51.The Paddlewheel Center
52. The River Center
53.The Riverbend of Dubuque
54. The Steamboat Convention Center
55.The Summit Center
56.Td State Conference Center
57. Wayne Norman Education and Conference Center
*indicates multiple suggestion