Tourism Commission Meeting January 11, 2021 Tourism Commission to be held January 11, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, January 10, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 11, 2021 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (January 11. 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, January 10, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que se haya realizado una solicitud …
Fiscal Year FY19/20 - FY20/21 to-date Tourism Commission Request (draft agenda langauge from 12/14/2020) Visit Austin report funds dedicated to tourism promotion that have been used to sponsor or otherwise pay musicians and/or other artists and creative productions. Visit Austin Response Visit Austin does not provide sponsorship to musicians or artists/creatives. As marketing programs and campaigns are developed to promote the destination to potential visitors and meeting professionals, local destination assets (musicians, makers, chefs, artists, photographers,videographers, writers, influencers, etc,) are sometimes engaged to support sales and marketing activities. Assets outlined below. Marketing Campaign/Activity Production / Photographers Writers Music Music Performance Licensing Video Edit Influencers / Local Talent Total Estimated Spend $3,581 X $14,553 X X X X X X X X Promotional Video Content Destination Promotional Video Refresh Best Seat in the House Service Industry Video Series (2 teasers, 8 episodes) Vibrant City (Mural Promotional Video + AR Filters) Convention Sales Drone Video Small Business Season Campaign 15 Seconds in Austin Pre-roll Video Destination Content Creation Content Development (website, blogs, insider guide, social media, etc.) Social Media Marketing Campaigns Influencer Campaign 3D Portrait Promotional Series (featuring musicians & other local creatives) Virtual Convention Promotion ASAE Virtual Conference Promotion (Best Seat rebroadcast) IMEX Virtual Conference Promotion (Best Seat rebroadcast) NCBMP Virtual Conference Promotion PCMA Foundation Virtual Event PCMA Virtual Conference Promotion IAEE Virtual Conference Virtual Destination Campaigns Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 1 Willie Nelson Tribute Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 2 Daniel Johnston Tribute Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 3 Tribute to Austin's Black Music Legacy National Travel and Tourism Week Virtual Travel Trade/Tourism Trainings Virtual Vacations Webinar Brand USA Mexico trade training Canada Trade Webinar Beds Online Webinar Travel Texas Mexico Trade training Convention Services Convention Services Commitments International and other Marketing Activities Americana Fest - UK Paste Studio NYC Song Confessional Content Song Confessional @ PCMA Hosted Meetings 2019 Annual Meeting 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting Sales Missions & Customer Events Hire Austin Musician Program: X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X $34,140 $4,678 $5,031 $3,000 $31,652 $10,000 $5,178 $5,371 $1,500 $3,050 $1,500 $6,000 $300 $800 $800 $5,100 …
Tourism Commission Meeting December 14, 2020 Tourism Commission to be held December 14, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, December 13, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the December 14, 2020 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (December 14. 2020) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, December 13, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que se haya realizado una solicitud …
What is Austin Detours? ● We are a tour company that offers tours to locals, visitors, and corporate groups. ● Our offerings include city tours, food tours, brewery / distillery tours / wine tours, live music tours, and more. ● Our corporate events range from small local teams to visiting convention groups in the 1000s. We offer social, teambuilding and charity events. ● Our team is made up of local musicians, artists, and creators. Austin Detours Pre-Pandemic ● We grew from 1 employee in 2013 to 27 employees in 2020. We also had a 2nd location in San Antonio with 8 employees. ● In 2019, we were recognized as a nominee for “Best CEO,” “Fast 50,” “Best Family Business,” and ranked as “#2 Best Place to Work in Austin” (micro-category). These awards are given out by the Austin Business Journal and highly respected in our city. ● In 2019, we hosted over 27,000 public tour guests and 14,000 corporate guests. ● In 2019, we were the largest tour company in Austin. We have been featured in Lonely Planet, National Geographic Travel, the Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, and countless blogs / online publications. ● Austin Detours directly supported hundreds of small businesses in Austin, featuring food trucks, musicians and artists on our tours. Many of these creative entrepreneurs have told us that we were the sole reason they were in business, or that we were integral in the launching of their small business. Austin Detours Post-Pandemic ● Austin Detours has been 100% closed since March 11, 2020. ● We have laid off 26 employees. We have one remaining. ● We have completely closed our 2nd operation in San Antonio. ● Many of our key partners have also been forced to close indefinitely. Other Tour Companies in Austin ● AO Tours has continued to operate 1-2 private tours / week. ● Austin Tour Company closed in March and has not reopened. ● Twisted Texas Tours was closed from March - September. They have reopened for private groups only, and have had 12 small private tours to date. Austin Detours Recovery In order for Austin Detours to recover, we will need: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● A vaccine that is available to the general public Financial assistance to help with start-up costs (basically starting the business from new again) Depending on timing, the ability to bring my staff …
Travel & Tourism Update STR 2020 Week Over Week March 7 - December 5 Adam Sacks President Tourism Economics Cindy Lo CEO RED VELVET Billy Carter President & General Manager Carter Transportation (Formerly Super Shuttle/ Execucar) Elizabeth Alderson Owner Austin Detours Dennis Randolph Owner Strong Events 9
RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, iconic venues and other local tourist destinations have been forever lost resulting in the tourist destinations; and economy and real estate boom, and WHEREAS, iconic venues and local tourist destinati ible for launching WHEREAS, a recent Billboard List (And Why It Matters) speaks to oss the country and struggling without revenue and insufficient nce due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, the Billboard artic l list of permanently closed venues by state, listing fif l exas, eight of which are in Austin and being the city ures; and WHE ssfully provided a means to save these resulting in the loss of such places as the iconic Thre dquarters and Shady Grove, Barracuda, Plush, Scratchouse, -2-One Bar, and North Door; and WHE -19 public health crisis continues to negatively impact our tourist related economies due to the general public limiting their travel, public health limitations on the ability to gather, and subsequent requirements of social distancing; and 1 of 9 WHEREAS, businesses that promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry are faced with nearly complete loss of operating income due to COVID-19 precautions on top of the pre-COVID conditions of rising rents; and WHEREAS, despite best efforts by the City Council and staff, relief funds to assist with expenses have fallen significantly short to meet the need and to date have been unable to address the loss of iconic venues and tourist destinations that serve WHEREAS may be possible federal fun uch as SAVES funding, could be utilized to stabilize WHEREAS, from around the world; and reputation for live musi attracts visitors WHEREAS, culin venues founded in Austin, and unique to Austin, pr nd convention industry by defining tha e filled with distinctive experiences for visitors foun of those contributing essential talents and businesses thrive upon r and WHE Council Resolution No. 20200326-091 directed City Management to prioritize all necessary resources available to address the public health and economic crises connected to the emergency declaration related to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, Austin City Council Resolution No. 20200326-091 further directed the City Manager to consider possible options for reassessing other uses of and repurposing of existing Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT); and 2 of 9 WHEREAS, Texas Attorneys General have affirmed that cities must determine in the first instance whether an expenditure of hotel occupancy tax revenue is proper under Texas Tax Code Section 351.101 and have discretion in …
PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR HOT FUNDING Tourism-Promoting Advertising, Solicitations, and Promotional Programs : Tax Code Sec. 351.101(a)(3) (“(a) Revenue from the municipal hotel Statutory Basis occupancy tax may be used only to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry, and that use is limited to … (3) advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs municipality or its vicinity”). to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the Geographic Limitation : None Maintenance and Operation Funding : No Statutory Cap : None. : According to “What Cities Need to Know to Administer Municipal Hotel Statutory Minimum Occupancy Taxes,” state law requires that, for cities with a seven percent local hotel tax rate, at least one-seventh of the hotel tax proceeds must be spent advertising and promoting the city to directly impact tourism and the hotel and convention industry. Tax Code §§ 351.103, 351.1035, 351.104(d), 351.105(b), and 351.106(a). this assertion is unclear. Statutory basis for Real World Examples promotional programs, including paying musicians to promote Austin tourism. : Visit Austin expends HOT on tourism advertising, solicitations, and Proposed Project Description public art in parkland. Funding for a promotional guide to area parks, such as an expanded version of SBCA’s “Explorer’s Guide to the Hill Country Oasis.” : Hiring musicians to play in our parks. Paying artists for Additional “advertising” and “promotional programs” funding could be applied to parks or park projects that are featured in documentary, tv series, social media, or other tourism promotion efforts, such as "lifeguards of Austin," "park rangers of Austin," "restoring the historic Victory Grill," "trailbuilders of Austin," "restoring the neglected neighborhood pools of East Austin," "rowing racers of Lady Bird Lake," "Nature schools of Austin," "eel hunters of the Colorado", "community farms of Boggy Creek," "reversing climate change in Austin," "restoring habitat of endangered wildlife of Central Texas," etc. In addition to funding filmmakers and social media producers that feature Austin parks and environmental settings, “advertising” and “promotional programs” funding could be applied to the work or activities being filmed, such performers and musicians in such promotional projects, thereby employing the Austin creative community while also protecting our environment, improving our parks, etc. Texas Municipal League historic/cultural arts projects. Cultural Arts and Commercial Music : Allowable use unless used to improperly avoid funding caps for : Tax Code Sec. 351.101(a)(4) (“(a) Revenue …
1 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION City of Austin Tourism Commission Recommendation Number: 20201203-?: HOT Funding for Parks and Environment Projects WHEREAS, Texas state law imposes significant restrictions on how hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds can be used, including but not limited to Texas Tax Code, Chapters 334 and 351; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has numerous parks and environmental features which are some of the strongest tourist attractions in our city and which are prominently featured in local tourism promotion campaigns, including Visit Austin’s promotion of “9 Reasons to Explore Austin’s Outdoors” (https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/explore-austins-outdoors); and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group was appointed at the February 20, 2020 Tourism Commission meeting to investigate possible uses of HOT funding for parks and environment projects, including (1) Chapter 351 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks and/or environment, (2) Chapter 334 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks/environment, (3) park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects, and (4) Palm Park HOT funding options; and WHEREAS, it was recognized that economic turmoil and tourism impacts from Covid-19 could impact how the city handles hotel occupancy tax dollars in the future; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group has assembled the attached report and recommendation to help City Council envision possible uses of HOT funds to benefit our parks and environment; and WHEREAS, the attached report and recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group includes a listing of parks and environment projects/activities that are eligible for HOT funding by identifying specific categories of allowable HOT funded projects (e.g., “Tourism-Promoting Advertising, Solicitations, and Promotional Programs,” “Cultural Arts and Commercial Music,” “Visitor Information Centers,” etc.) along with a description of the statutory basis, limitations, allowed uses, and descriptions of real world examples and parks/environment projects for using HOT funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Tourism Commission encourages the Austin City Council to consider the attached report and recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group on allowable HOT funding to benefit parks and environment projects in any future decision to allocate HOT funds. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) 2
Special Meeting of the Tourism Commission August 10, 2020 Tourism Commission to be held August 10, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 9, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 10, 2020 Tourism Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022/ felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Tourism Commission August 10, 2020 at 1pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Vanessa Fuentes (D-2) Rachel Magee (D-4) Scott Joslove (D-6) Lois Rodriguez (D-8) Mike Cannatti (D-10) AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Alta Alexander (D-1) Edward Bailey (D-3) Bill Bunch (D-5) John Riedie (D-7) Brian Rodgers (D-9) Catlin Whitington (Mayoral) CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. June 8, 2020 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion on formation of working groups b. Update on Historic Preservation Fund and Historic Preservation Grants presented by Economic Development Department, Interim Director, Sylnovia Holt Rabb c. Update on Convention Center Expansion presented by Austin Convention Center Department, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Katy Zamesnik 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Visit Austin Marketing Plan and Budget, presented by Visit Austin, President & CEO, Tom Noonan FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Commission may discuss and take possible action to request information and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentation: ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal …
Austin Convention Center Expansion August 10, 2020 Attorney/client deliberative privilege Austin Convention Center Expansion Current Space Exhibition Space 247,000 sf Meeting Space 65,000 sf Ballroom Space 64,000 sf Recommended Space Exhibition Space 450,000 sf Meeting Space 120,000-140,000 sf Ballroom Space 100,000-120,000 sf Note: multiple options for expansion have been considered Attorney/client deliberative privilege 2 1 Convention Center Expansion Timeline 2 Convention Center Expansion Timeline- Update Master Plan Update Economic Impact Study COVID-19 2 NEXT STEPS 5
Austin Cultural Recovery Fund A robust investment now can save many of the businesses that are the bedrock of our local culture and make Austin such an appealing place to live and visit. Such investment could come from CAREs Act funding, convention center reserves or other sources yet to be identified. A successful comeback for Austin’s creative community will require a comprehensive plan that supports music, arts, and cultural assets like iconic restaurants. Austin has the opportunity to be a success story that inspires other communities to rally around their creative community and establishes Austin as a destination for post- pandemic travelers. Iconic establishments like Threadgill's, Blue Dahlia and Shady Grove have already closed their doors. Cultural assets like music venues, arts spaces and restaurants are on the front lines of this crisis. They were the first to close for public safety and continue to bear the brunt as they work to find a safe path forward. Even with the hard work of organizations like Good Work Austin to create safety protocols for reopening, a huge number of our culturally significant restaurants will be operating at a loss if at all. The cost of operating under new safety protocols means much tighter margins in a business that already has tiny margins. If no assistance is given to these businesses many will open too soon and/or without the proper safety protocols thus further endangering the public and slowing down any recovery. As COVID-19 diagnoses continue to jump by 1,000 per day in Texas in the shadow of governor’s attempts to restart the economy, the risk of sustained closures and another round of stay-at-home orders looms large. The time to tap available resources is now if we want to have independent businesses as part of a restarted economy. Hyperlocal businesses and nonprofits need operational funding just to survive. Besides CARE funds and other emergency reserves, two paths to accessing convention center reserves deserve serious consideration: 1. Council could determine that the sustainable existence of local music, arts, restaurants, retail businesses, and the creative Texans they employ, de facto promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry. While the governing body’s determination is subject to judicial review, broad deference is given to their determination according to multiple Attorney General opinions. 2. Council could determine that the reserves are composed of rental and users fees earned by the convention center over the past decade. …
Dear Council Member, Good Work Austin was originally formed in 2018 by local independent business owners to help other similar businesses implement benefits like paid sick leave and equitable wages that would make their establishment, employees and our community healthier. Since the first wave of Covid-19 hit and restaurants were the first businesses asked to close for the safety of the public and our employees, GWA has focused on helping the independent hospitality industry survive. We have worked with State and Local government to answer questions regarding Sales Tax payments, TABC rules, unemployment benefits and the PPP. We’ve served as advisors to numerous State and Local elected officials on the industry’s immediate needs and subsequent policy proposals. Our membership swelled to over 120 businesses, mostly bars & restaurants, all local and independent, inarguably cornerstones of Austin’s unique cultural fabric and a significant tourism draw. Most recently, GWA has compiled a clear and comprehensive Re-Opening Agreement for restaurants to follow when opening their dining rooms that we are now adopting for other non food & beverage businesses. Our guidelines are considerably more stringent than those offered up by State government. We understand that no protocols will eliminate the chance of an employee testing positive. We also understand that nothing is going to fundamentally change until there is a widely distributed vaccine. Opening and staying open is about a partnership between business and gov’t. We adopt strict guidelines and open in a slow, cautious, consistent manner and gov’t provides incentives and add’l revenue streams, in the form of jobs that increase food access to communities in need like several of our restaurants have been performing for AISD and will soon be for quarantined homeless and homebound seniors. Independent restaurants are a cultural asset to our city. Our employees are, individually, cultural assets as well. They do not currently have jobs to return to and will not if a plan is not put in place to help independent restaurants get through the next 12-18 months of reduced capacity. It is with this in mind that we ask you to support the attached draft cultural funding resolution. Restaurants face a unique challenge as business models in these conditions and they are not being helped by going back and forth through the phases. If the independents go away, they will be replaced by large chains and corporate restaurants with the capital to weather this crisis. …
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T D E PA R T M E N T Overview FY20 Hotel Occupancy Tax Funded Programs August 10, 2020 Economic Development Department The Economic Development Department’s mission is to develop and lead innovative programs that increase the prosperity of Austinites, businesses, and diverse neighborhoods, creating a cultural and economic environment that enhances the vitality of the community. C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 2 Hotel Occupancy Tax – Supported Divisions • Cultural Arts • Heritage Tourism • Music & Entertainment C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 3 Historic Preservation Fund & Heritage Grant Overview Melissa Alvarado Manager, Heritage Tourism Division C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 4 Historic Preservation Fund C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 5 Heritage Grant Timeline/Background March 2020 Heritage Grant Launch May – July 2020 Virtual Outreach & Engagement Aug 2020 Review Panels Sept 2020 Council Review Oct 2020 Awards Announced Outreach & Engagement August 24, 2020 Heritage Grant recommendations will be provided to the Tourism Commission Virtual Information Sessions Virtual Open Office House One-On-One Technical Assistance Newsletters Email Campaigns Social Media Campaigns Radio Promotions C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 6 Heritage Grant Program Updates Initial Applicant Stats 24 Total applications submitted • • • $2.6M requested 29% ALANA Peer Review Panels Ongoing 18 Nonprofit applicants 6 Commercial applicants 9 Heritage Capital Projects 15 Site-specific Heritage Tourism Projects C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 7 Heritage …
Tourism Commission Via Video Conferencing June 8, 2020 10:00 am MINUTES In Attendance: Rachel Magee Edward Bailey Scott Joslove Bill Bunch John Riedie Lois Rodriguez Mike Cannatti Catlin Whitington Absent: Alta Alexander Vanessa Fuentes Brian Rodgers Staff and Other In Attendance: Felicia Ojeda, Austin Convention Center Department, Staff liaison Katy Zamesnik, Austin, Convention Center Department, Acting Chief Administrative Officer Tom Noonan, Visit Austin, President and CEO Mary Kay Hackley, Visit Austin Christine Cramer, Visit Austin Steve Genovesi, Visit Austin Julie Chase, Visit Austin AGENDA 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER a. Meeting called to order at 10:00 am by Chair, Catlin Whitington 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS: a. No Citizen Communications 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. February 10, 2020 – postponed to July Meeting 4. NEW BUSINESS The Commission discussed the following agenda item: a. Reviewed Hotel Occupancy Tax Funded Programs update. b. Visit Austin, Tom Noonan, presented the Visit Austin, Travel and Tourism Updates a. Visit Austin, Tom Noonan and Julie Chase, presented the Visit Austin Marketing Recap b. Chair, Catlin Whitington, shared a Historic Hotel Occupancy Taxable Revenue chart (1995- 2017, annual and monthly) 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Commission may discuss and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentations a. Table to Approve February Minutes with amended comments i. Commissioner Cannatti, addressed the Working Groups, to read – Motioned to Approve members for the Environmental Working Groups ii. Commissioner Riedie, addressed he requested to be added to the Short-Term Rental Working groups iii. Commissioner Riedie, addressed the request to add a TPID Working Group 6. ADJOURNMENT a. Chair, Catlin Whitington motioned to adjourned the meeting at 11:23 am. Commissioner Rodriguez seconded the motion. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call or email Felicia Ojeda 512.404.4022, felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov. for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Tourism Commission, please contact Felicia Ojeda at 512.404.4022, felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov. Department, Convention Austin Center the at at
Visit Austin Marketing Recap M A R K E T I N G , P R , T O U R I S M , M U S I C A N D F I L M | M A R C H - J U L Y 2 0 2 0 While all paid advertising efforts are paused, we’ve ensured that our website and social media accounts remain active engaging our audience with timely, relevant and inspiring content. Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to develop a recovery campaign that will deploy when the market is ready. As part of our ongoing commitment to our local hospitality community, we are bringing additional attention to the products and services Austinites and visitors can take advantage of from home. These efforts are engaging with thousands of locals and non-locals every day. W E B S I T E In March, we launched our new (temporary) homepage “Visit Austin, From Home” which highlights Austin content users can take advantage of from home. www.austintexas.org Later this summer, we are launching a new homepage (and other web & social content) designed to support travelers in trip-planning mode, as well as provide Austin content for those that remain at home. S O C I A L M E D I A P E R F O R M A N C E The current goal of Visit Austin’s social media platforms, including leisure, meetings, film, sports and music, is to be a source of entertainment for its followers during the COVID-19 crisis, while continuing to promote local businesses and attractions. Despite paid efforts on pause, between May 1- July 31, Visit Austin’s leisure channels still earned: ● ● ● 971 new followers 126,913 engagements 3,745,758 impressions @visitaustintx @musicaustin @meetaustin @filmatx @sportsaustin All of this signals that while fans can’t travel now, people are still dreaming of visiting Austin. Follow us today at: @visitaustintx @musicaustin Music Austin Visit Austin, Texas VisitAustinTX R E C E N T M A R K E T I N G A C T I V I T I E S Hire an Austin Musician We deployed an eblast to more than 22,000 customers promoting Austin musicians for virtual and hybrid events. Since the email deployed on July 28th, we’ve already received more than 900 page visits and booking inquiries. This is a very promising tactic to help keep musicians working …
