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Convent/Visitors Bureau QuartRe ~ \: (\\M~\ ~\\(1! VI. . DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ._--_._-----~ 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. Q 0'<'. ~;- c ,- , a 0 .." M 0:> I r'-' ,. -- '-' :::' :::0 rn :J fì1 < rll 0 -0 SO; --. 0 CD ~ 0 c...J 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 . 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. . 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. . 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. . 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. . 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. . Assist visitors at the year-round Welcome Center. Status: The Bureau continues to assist visitors at the Iowa Welcome Center. . 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. . 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.