Convent/Visitors Bureau QuartRe
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DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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CONVENTIOI\I AND VíSITORS BUREAU
Memo
To:
Mayor Terry Duggan
City Council Members
City Manager, Mike Van Milligen
Alan Manternach, Chair
Dubuque County Supervisors
Administrative Assistant, Jan Hess
Fr:
Greg Maim, Chair
Sue Czeshinski, Director
Re:
Quarterly RepDrt
Dt:
January 19,2000
Enclosed you will find the Quarterly Report submitted for the Convention and Visitors
Bureau. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce does a 6 month program update to
review the progress outlined in each division's business plan. The Chamber Board of
Directors reviewed and approved this material at the January 18,2000 meeting.
Because of your continued support, the Bureau is on track in the accomplishment of all
areas of the program outlined for this fiscal year. If you have any questions about the
enclosed material please dD not hesitate to call Sue Czeshinski at the Chamber office,
557-9200.
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770 TOWN CLOCK PLAZA P.O. BOX 705 DUBUQUE, IA 52004-0705 (319) 557-9200 FAX (319) 557-1591
e-mail, chamber@mwci.nel web site, httpi¡www.dubuquechamber.com
Convention and Visitors Bureau 6 Month Program update
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Complete major gift phase for "America's River" Project.
Status: Major Gift Phase of the America's River Campaign was completed and the
leadership phase was launched on August 23, 1999. 21.4 million has been raised for
the campaign to date with 4.4 million coming from local donations toward a 5.35
million dollar local campaign goal.
Break ground on north end trail portion of Heritage Trail Project.
Status: The City of Dubuque broke ground on the North end trail on September 24,
1999 with a ceremony, which included Speaker of the Iowa House of
Representatives, Brent Seigriest.
Break ground on River's Edge Plaza and Phase I of Riverwalk projects.
Status: groundbreaking for the Rivers Edge Plaza took place on October 29, 1999
with Mayor Terry Duggan and Governor Vilsack as well as Federal officials,
participating in the progress.
Secure Iowa Department of Transportation approval of "wayfinding system", begin
installation of signs and develop new mapping.
Status: Meetings have taken place with 5 !DOT staff members who have given task
force members direction on how to proceed to receive approval of the new signage
system. City staff is currently doing the measuring of intersections to prepare for the
next joint meeting.
Increase number of visitors, the amount of their expenditures, and their length of stay
by 5%.
Status: The Convention and Visitors Bureau has seen a slight increase in visitation
to Dubuque and in the amount that visitors are spending - 1-2% approximately.
Increase the number of motor coach/group tours and their expenditures by 5%.
Status: Convention and meeting business has increased dramatically since 1998.
1999 and 2000 continue to be strong years for larger convention business.
Increase the number of conventions and meetings by 5%.
Status: Motorcoach and group tours are up slightly due to the Celebration Belle and
a good summer season.
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Implement the fifth year of a five-year marketing program for conventions, group
tours, and individual visitors to the Dubuque area.
Status: The Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to implement the marketing
strategies outlined in the 5-year plan to attract individuals, groups and conventions.
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Provide cooperative advertising opportunities to give members an opportunity to
increase their market share at affordable rates.
Status: Cooperative advertising opportunities have been offered through billboard,
print and promotional advertising in all visitor markets. Not all the coop offerings
were successful this year. The print advertising opportunities in Chicago, Madison
and Des Moines were canceled due to lack of member participation. A new coop
billboard was however initiated on Highway 20 and group and convention ad coops
have been very popular so far this year. Internet advertising in visitor markets has
also been popul:lr with members.
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Provide travel writers expanded opportunities to feature Dubuque in national
publications.
Status: The Bureau completed a CD-ROM to transfer slide photography onto a more
accessible format making it easier for publishers to use 4 color photos of Dubuque.
As a result there should be more use of Dubuque area photography. The writer
database has also been expanded to include 200 more national writers.
Initiate a clipping service and develop a database to track editorial coverage from
travel writers.
Status: Since the initiation of the Bacon's clipping service the Bureau has received
336 features on the Dubuque area. (May-October) Prior to this tracking tool the
Bureau reported 30-40 feature articles annually.
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Educate front-line employees on the importance of providing outstanding customer
service.
Status: Plans are underway to train front-line employees at the Iowa Welcome
Center in April with 3 two-hour training sessions. The sessions will include an
orientation of the Welcome Center services and customer service training.
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Assist visitors at the year-round Welcome Center.
Status: The Bureau continues to assist visitors at the Iowa Welcome Center.
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Distribute materials for area festivals to increase visitor potential.
Status: The 5-color 6-month festival calendar and new visitor guide will continue to
give visitors the materials they need to attend Dubuque area festivals and events.
Print ads and outdoor billboards will also highlight Dubuque events.
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Access to 24-hour visitor information on world wide web.
Status: The visitors guide and calendar of events is accessible on the website for 24-
hour access. The meeting planning and group tour information is currently being
developed on a CD-ROM to showcase group opportunities. This information will be
transferred to the web site when completed in January.
Obtain and distribute visitor statistics including occupancy, annual attendance, and
database of qualified leads.
Status: All visitor statistics are maintained in a database that is sent to a list of
members that request it monthly by email, fax or mail.