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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-18; City Council; 15826; Convention And Visitor's Bureau ReportdTY OF CARLSBAD - AGENtrfi BILL ‘.-.-l AB# [,q,$& TITLE: DEPT. HD. CARLSBAD CONVENTION AND VISITOR’S BUREAU MTG. 7-18-2000 REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING APRIL 30,200O. CITY AlTY DEPT. ED 1 CITY MGR* RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the Report ITEM EXPLANATION: On October 26 1999, the City Council authorized the Mayor to execute a one (1) year agreement with the Carlsbad Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CCVB) for community promotion purposes. The contract is for the period November I, 1999 and will run through October 31,200O. The total authorized contract amount for 1999-2000 is $357,000, including $123,000 for operation of the Visitor’s Center. Services CCVB will provide to the City, and that are specified in the contract, are as follows: A. Manage and coordinate a marketing program that positions Carlsbad as a prime destination in Southern California B. Generate awareness of Carlsbad in those geographic regions of the United States which provide the largest number of visitors to Carlsbad each year. C. Operate the Visitor’s Information Center. D. Provide familiarization tours/travel writer program. E. Promote local community events, including the San Diego Marathon, the Carlsbad 5000, the Carlsbad Triathlon, and the La Costa Golf and Tennis events. F. Develop private funding for advertising co-op programs, central reservations fees, and other participatory fees to support a full-time, aggressive tourism marketing program. G. Establish a corporate/group sales incentive program. Each quarter, CCVB is required to provide the City with a report of its activity and expenses. CCVB has ,submitted their latest report summarizing their activities for the period February 1, 2000 through April 30,2000(EXHIBIT 1). CCVB Report Highlights: 1. The number of visitors served at the Carlsbad Visitor’s Information Bureau offtces was down by 15% (10,294 down to 8,706) from the same period last year. 2. The number of mail outs were down by 15%( 4,280 to 3,623) from the same period last year. 3. CCVB processed a total of 48 qualified leads, totaling approximately 5,753 room nights. 4. CCVB’s volunteer program provided an additional 1,139 hours of service during the period. PAGE 2 OF AGENDA JLL NO. 6-, t@ b FISCAL IMPACT: The City’s Agreement with the Carlsbad Convention and Visitor’s Bureau established $357,000 as the total amount of funding for the twelve (12) month period from November 1, 1999 to October 31, 2000. The contract includes $123,000 for operation of the Visitor’s Center, and $234,000 for programs. Payments from the City for programs during this period totaled $94,203. The CCVB also raised an additional $12,775 from other sources that include hotel co-op ($11,728) depot sales ($762), miscellaneous promotions ($201), and (marketing partnership ($85). Expenditures for the period totaled $101,443. Visitor Center operations totaled $30,750 or 30.3% of the expenditures. Other CCVB expenditures included $49,948 for Advertising, $8,850 for Brochures, $11,395 for Trade Shows and the Travel Writer’s Program, $750 for Video/CD ROM, and $750 for consulting services. EXHIBITS: 1. Report from the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau for the period of February 1, 2000 through April 30, 2000, dated May 31, 2000. May 31,200O Cynthia Haas Economic Development City of Carlsbad 1635 Faraday Carlsbad, CA 92008 Dear Cynthia: Attached is the financial report and a synopsis of major activities of the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau for the period February 1,200O - April 30,200O. If you have any questions, please call me. Please notify us when this will be placed on the Council Agenda so we can be present to answer questions. Sincere%, (_ Executive Director Enclosure Carlsbad Convention &Visitors Bureau P.O. Box1246*Carlsbad,California 92018-1246 TEL (760)434.6093* FAX (7601434.6056 www.carlsbadca.org/ 3 City of Carlsbad County of San Diego Regional Partners Hotel Coop Marketing Partnership Depot Sales Misc. Promotions Total kisbad Convention & Visitors-hau Accounting of Funds For the Quarter Ended April 30,200O Income For the Quarter Contract to Date $ 94,202.72 $ 202,709.24 11,727.85 17,459.08 85.00 1,325.OO 761.60 1.285.20 201.39 201.39 $ 106,978.56 $ 222,979.91 Visitor Center Operations For the Quarter Contract to Date Personnel: Management Staff Salaries Benefits Payroll Taxes $ 2,400 $ 5,200 13,700 28,000 957 2.047 5,050 10,458 Total Personnel $ 22,107 $ 45,705 Overhead: Utilities Outside Services Maim/Rental Equipment Allocation Office Supplies Postage Travel Insurance Conferences Memberships Telephone items for Resale Misc. Fees 714 322 529 442 40 346 1,396 3,232 775 222 545 80 1,310 692 973 623 1,226 133 478 1,396 5.056 1,763 772 947 426 Total Overhead $ 8,643 $ 15,795 Equipment Purchases: Items Cost Total Equipment Total Visltor Center Operations: $ 30,750 $ 61,500 E:\ConVis\Financial Reports\Quarterly Report\Convis Accounting of Funds Apr 30- 00 4 Advertising/Promoting Events: Management Allocation Equipment Allocation Ads Production Costs Promotion Telephone/Postage Supplies Subtotal Trade Shows/FM trips: Management Allocation Sooth Fees Travel Costs FAM Expenses Equipment Allocation Telephone/Postage Supplies Subtotal Brochures: Management Allocation Equipment Allocation Design & Printing Subtotal Video/CD-ROM: Management Allocation Production Costs Subtotal Consultant: Management Allocation Fees Subtotal Marketing Partnership Subtotal Total Program Expenditures: $ 70,693 $ 150,620 Total Period Expenditures: $ 101,443 $ 212,120 ‘rogram Expenditures Accounting of Funds For the Quarter Ended April 30,200O TOTAL EXPENSES For the Quarter Contract to Date $ 9,500 32,174 1,574 2,500 2.600 600 $ $ 6,500 973 2,672 1,100 150 $ $ 3,657 5,193 $ $ 750 - $ $ 750 $ $ $ 48,948 $ 11,395 $ 6,850 750 750 18,150 50,985 1,574 2,500 5,100 900 $ 8,751 7,755 3,057 37 2,688 250 $ 8,157 28,993 $ 3,750 4,318 $ 750 2,905 $ 79,209 22.538 37,150 8,068 3,655 E:\ConVis\Financial ReportsKIuarterly ReporKonvis Accounting of Funds April 30-2000 5 - r . Visitor Information Summary February 1,200O - April 30,200O CA resident Out of CA Foreign Total for Visitors Visitors Visitors Month This Last This Last This Last This Last Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year February 714 1,129 1,074 988 377 205 2,165 2,322 March 1,112 1,693 1,548 1,346 537 202 3,197 3,241 April 1,804 2,691 1,034 1,770 506 270 3,344 4,731 3 months total 3,630 5,513 3,656 4,104 1,420 677 8,706 10,294 Above figures represent one member of family and/or group. I- February 3 months total 989.K 2,943 3,600 680 627 Web page Hits This Year 190.K 356.K 1,102 1,545 343 186 443.K 905 1,418 148 185 Mail outs This Last Year Year 936 637 Travel Agent Mail outs This Last Year Year 189 256 CV/financial reports/quarterly report/activities/ Visitor Information Summary chart b Activities February 1 - April 30,200O Feb 1 Feb 1 Feb 5-6 Feb 8-11 Feb 12 Feb 16 Feb 22 Feb 23 Feb 24 Feb 28 Mar 3-5 Mar 7 Mar lo-11 Mar 11-15 ConVis took delivery of the new German language brochure. The brochure is published in Germany. Only 500 were shipped to Carlsbad. In Germany, 12,000 were inserted into the state of California’s German language booklet to be distributed over the next two years. Another 3,750 were shipped to Berlin for the upcoming travel show and 3,750 were put into storage for the 2001 travel show in Berlin. ConVis staff attended the Grand Opening of Karl Strauss restaurant. Steve Link and Frankie Laney manned the Carlsbad booth at the Orange County Travel Show. Representatives of Ramada Inn Suites and Carlsbad Quality Inn & Suites also worked in the booth. Steve Link manned the Carlsbad booth at California Travel Mart in San Jose. Representatives of Holiday IM and Ramada IM Suites also worked in the booth. This show, sponsored by the California Division of Tourism, was open to overseas tour operators only. Frankie Laney was interviewed on a national radio broadcast by Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harriman, hosts of the “Touring Company”. Buzz Mills, Race Director, 1st~ Ironman California Triathlon and Shauna Erkenbeck, Elite Racing (Carlsbad 5000) were the featured speakers at the February Hotel/Hospitality Meeting. The luncheon was hosted by Ramada IM & Suites. Frankie Laney attended a meeting of the San Diego ConVis Travel Industry Sales committee. The Board of Directors met. Steve Link and Frankie Laney attended the Housing & Redevelopment’s forum on events in the Village. Steve Link and Frankie Laney met with representatives of ERA, the consulting firm that is researching the effects of tourism on Carlsbad. Steve Link manned the Carlsbad booth at the Denver Travel Show. Representatives of Carlsbad Inn and Beach Terrace Inn also worked in the booth. The Visitor Information Center volunteers toured the Carlsbad Flower Fields, followed by lunch at the Armenian Cafe. Lunch was co-hosted by the Surf Motel and the Armenian Cafe. A travel writer visited here to do an article on the flower Fields for Coast Magazine. She was provided a free room by Holiday Inn. Steve Link manned the Carlsbad booth at ITB, the travel show in Berlin, Germany. A representative of Beach Terrace IM also worked in the booth. This is the largest travel show in the world. Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 25-26 Mar 28-29 Mar 30-3 1 APr The ConVis held a “Grand Unveiling” of our CD-ROM to the public in the auditorium in the new library. Mark Burgess, president of SanDiego.com and Michael Flickinger, GM of Grand Pacific Palisades were the featured speakers at the March Hotel/Hospitality meeting. The Grand Pacific palisades hosted the luncheon. The Board of Directors met. For several weeks prior to the Carlsbad 5000, ConVis staff helped promote the event and recruited volunteers. On the day of the race, the ConVis was responsible for the Beer Garden and provided the volunteers for this function. Steve Link and Frankie Laney attended the California Conference on Tourism in Sacramento. A film crew from Las Vegas spent several days covering Carlsbad’s attractions including: LEGOLAND, the Flower Fields, Carlsbad Mineral Water spa, the Museum of Making Music, Bi Plane Adventures and Niemans. Their feature will first be aired on XETV-TV Fox channel 6 in San Diego before being aired on other stations. They were hosted for two nights by Grand Pacific Palisades. The April issue of Coast magazine contained an article with a color photo of the Flower Fields taken by Steve Link. The writer visited here in March and was hosted by Holiday Inn. Mar 30-Apr 4 A photographer visited Carlsbad for 5 nights to capture the ambiance of Carlsbad for a coffee table book entitled “the California Coast.” He also was shooting for Conde Na.st Travel. To broaden his perspective, we booked him into Grand Pacific Palisades (2 nights) Carlsbad Inn (1 night) Four Seasons Resort, Aviara (1 night) and Pelican Cove Inn (1 night). All rooms were camped. He was also given a free bi-plane ride by Bi-Plane Adventures. APr Apr 10 Apr lo-11 Apr 15-16 Apr 15-16 Apr 19 The April issue of Tucson Lifestyle magazine contained a full-page, full- color feature on Carlsbad. As a kickoff to National Volunteers Week, the Visitor Information Center volunteers gathered at 6:30 am in the Flower Fields. They were photographed by “chopper 8” from KFMB-TV Channel 8 of San Diego, while Frankie Laney was interviewed via a cell phone. A Canadian travel writer gathered material on the Flower Fields, Children’s Discovery Museum, LEGOLAND and the Museum of Making Music. He was hosted by Carlsbad Inn. For the tenth year, ConVis sponsored a Volksmarch. The 1OK walk began and ended at the Old Depot. About 250 people from throughout the world participated in the walk. ConVis volunteers manned a table at the Flower Fields, handing out about 400 brochures to tourists. Steven Aceti, executive director of the California Coastal Coalition was the featured speaker at the April Hotel/Hospitality Meeting. The luncheon was hosted by the Beach Terrace Inn. 8 . Apr 20 Apr 26 Apr 29-30 A meeting of the San Diego’s North Coast group, (representatives of the chambers of Solana Beach, Encinitas and Oceanside) was held in the Old Depot to plan future joint promotions. The Board of Directors met. Steve Link manned a double booth at the LA Travel Show. Half of the booth was devoted to Carlsbad. Representatives of Ramada Inn Suites, Carlsbad Quality Inn & Suites and Olympic Resort also worked in the booth. The other half of the booth, under the banner “San Diego’s North Coast” was manned by representatives of the Solana Beach, Encinitas and Oceanside chambers of commerce. Part of the cost of the double booth was funded by a grant from the county Board of Supervisors. Programs to Attract Groups During this period, we advertised in publications aimed specifically at travel professionals. These were: Association Meetings Medical Meetings Meetings Guide to the West Meetings in the West Travel Agent Magazine Travel Weekly Western Association News Semi Annual Directory Steve Link manned the Carlsbad booth at California Travel Mart in San Jose February 8-l 1. This show, sponsored by the California Division of Tourism was open to overseas tour operators only. The ConVis worked closely with the organizers of the Carlsbad 5000. For the tenth year, ConVis sponsored a Volksmarch. The 10K walk began and ended at the Old Depot. About 250 people from throughout the world participated in the walk. TJ Stroben, the Group Sales Coordinator, has worked with a score of groups. Her activities report is attached. GROUP LEADS FEB/MARCH/APRIL 2000 FEBRUARY 2000 DATE GROUP GUESTS ~ STATUS SLEEPING ROOM F&B** FUNCTION ROOMS REVENUE* 2/l/00 500. 1 Add on room I Y 10 2/l/00 2500 sale 0 Room Block *N N 100 10,500 too large 8,000. Add on room/ event sale 2/4/00 200 I Y 2/4/00 2/g/00 2/g/00 0 0 500. Add on meeting sale 5 515 Business 15 15 Y 5 515. 0 0 0 0 20 2,100 group 5000. Wedding site/catering 150. Spiritual music event 5,000 Theatre venue 0 Training seminar P 150 2/g/00 150 Y 2/16/00 2/17/00 2/18/00 0 10 P Y 15 0 0 800. Business mtg. Y N y 2/24/00 2/25/00 25 130 N 120 17,850. 1 6500. 1 2/25/00 2/28/00 P P 1,000. seminar Reception hall 0 Feb Total 3340 1081 $61,015 $30,950 t TOTAL $91.965 * Room Avg. @$lOS.OOpn ** Breakfast - $lO.OOpp, Lunch - $lS.OOpp, Dinner - $25.00~~ . . . GROUP LEADS FEB/MARCH/APRIL 2000 MARCH 2000 DATE GROUP GUESTS SLEEPING ROOM F&B FUNCTION STATUS ROOMS REVENUE* fir 3/ l/O0 3/l/00 100 150 0 0 I 0. 2,000. Wedding P Reception 1,000. Fashion Show P 10 11 1,050. 0 Family Reunion P 1155. 1255. Bus Meeting & N Activities 16 I 1,680. I 1000. 1 Relocation of I recer%ion I 3/21/00 3/23/00 3/24/00 3/27/00 3/27/00 3J28JOO 3J29JOO MARCH TOTALS 150 10 125 110 40 25 150 1262 75 7585. 3750. Class Reunion P 0 0 1500. Business N Seminar 180 18,900. 6,250. Business meeting N 304 31,920 5,050 Business P Convention 60 6,300. 1,000. Business Meeting P 0 0 375. Family Luncheon P 10 1,050 3,750 Wedding P Reception 687 $71,845 $34,855 TOTAL $106,700 * Room Avg. @I $ 105.00pn ** Breakfast - $lO.OOpp, Lunch - $lS.OOpp, Dinner - $25.00~~ . _. GROUP LEADS FEB/MARCH/APRIL 2000 APRIL2000 DATE GROUP GUESTS SLEEPING ROOM F&B** FUNCTION STATUS ROOMS REVENUE* 4J3JOO 75 150 15,750. 0 Family Reunion P 4J10JO0 45 135 14,175. 0 Filming local site Y 4J10JO0 17 28 2,940. 0 Family Gathering P 4Jl3JOO 125 225 23,625. 4,375. Church Group P 4/16/00 35 0 0 875. Familv Dinner Y 4Jl7JOO 20 40 4,200. 500. Training meeting Y 4Jl7JOO 6 36 3,780. 0 Training Seminar Y 4/18/00 50 200 21.000. 5.250. Business Group Y 4Jl9JOO 100 100 15,750. 2,500. Family Reunion P 4Jl9JOO 18 9 975. 0 Church Group Y 4J2lJOO 250 0 0 6,250. Church Anniv. P 4J25JOO 80 80 8,400. 2,000. Wedding P 4J25JOO 80 8 840. 2,000. Christmas Party Y 4J25JOO 50 150 15,750. 5,250 Business Meeting P 4J25JOO 200 600 63,000. 0 Business P 4J26JOO 75 160 16,800 0 Convention Business Convention Y APRIL TOTALS 1226 1921 $206,985 $29,000 TOTAL $235,985 * RoomAvg. @$lOS.OOpn ** Breakfast - $lO.OOpp, Lunch - $lS.OOpp, Dinner - $25.00~~ \3 - . C : = 2 r - a 7 - s z - d i ti - 8 D i : ADVERTISERS INQUIRES Feb 00 Mar 00 Apr 00 13 12 6 Arizona Daily Star 61 40 ] Association Meetings 30 Calif State Visitors Guide 96 92 403 Corporate Meetings & Incentives 69 I I Travel Agent Magazine 86 41 Travel America 24 23 Travel Holiday 1 Travel Weeklv Tucson Lifestyle Magazine 3 3 2 Vacations Magazine 2 230 Where to Retire . VOLUNTEER HOURS 1 Feb 001 Mar-001 Apr-00 Lavern Anderson 11.001 15.001 11.00 -.- - ..-_ Bruce Broker 4.00 9.00 8.00 Cathv Broker 4.00 11.00 8.00 I Luana Callawav I 8.001 9.001 10.00l ISuzanne Carneiro I 7.501 15.001 IA.001 .-- --.-- . ._-- Mildred Cooper 0.00 0.00 0.00 Marv Fischer 11.00 12.00 8.00 Celia Friedman Jeanne Frommelt I 13.001 11 .ool 9.00 7.001 A.001 8.00 I Paul Hallbeck I 9.001 6.001 12.001 Gene Hansen Morris Haves I lO.OOl 0.001 0.00 4.001 lO.OOl 4.00 Gladys Hayes 7.00 15.50 2.00 Lucy Henson 25.00 49.00 35.00 Dan Jensen1 6.00 10.00 6.00 Adeline Kane 12.50 15.50 10.75 Kay Karins 0.00 0.00 0.00 Mary Lancaster 15.00 21.50 25.50 Jacque Loomis 6.00 8.00 6.00 Ginny Mash 6.00 4.00 0.00 Cynthia McPherson 24.00 20.00 19.50 Dorine Meade 8.50 12.00 2.50 Helmut Ohnesorge I 6.001 4.001 4.00 Irene Paooas 14.001 12.001 6.00 -.- _ Bob Pollock 2.00 6.50 11.00 Jan Pollock 1 6.00 8.00 11.00 Maddie Rutan 6.00 11 .oo 2.00 John Seufert 20.00 15.00 15.00 Jenny Snelson 10.00 6.00 2.00 Frank Stasio 10.00 17.00 0.00 DeeDee Stevens Helen Thomason I 4.001 9.501 12.50 10.00l 2.001 0.00 1 .-.-- -.- _ -.-- Marv Trolson I I 9.501 0.001 0.001 Lydia Vrielink 28.50 30.25 39.25 Liz Wright 9.00 10.00 4.00 TOTALS 367.50 439.75 331.75 1. CD touts --- ._ sights and I’ ‘,, ‘. sounds of c&--s&J ‘---. ___z f’. ‘horn CouNTy T&ES 'flJEsDAY, FEBRUARY 22,2OCO n 25minute disc --- - contains video of hotels, restaurants and attractions San Diego-based company that produced the discs. “They can also zoom in or out, see the ocean and the palm trees.” In addition to boosting Carls- bad’s image, the disc also in- cludes links to a dozen attrac- tions in San Diego County such as Sea World, Old Town, Balboa Park, Palomar Mountain Obser- vatory and the historic sailing ship Star of India, Link said. “It was a last minute decision to add that section,” Link said. “But hopefully the links will help vacation planners see what else is available here.” Several other businesses that rely on tourism in Carlsbad are also distibuting the CDs. Orga- nizations such as Legoland Cali- fornia, La Costa Resort and Spa, and Biplane Air Combat and Warbird Adventures are just some of the businesses that have the CDs available for customers. “It’s a terrific vehicle to rep- resent us and what to do in Carlsbad,” said Kate Lister of Bi- plane Air Combat and Warbird Adventures, an aviation compa- ny that provides aerial tours in biplanes.. Lister said she has sent the CDs to companies that have ex- pressed an interest in coming to Carlsbad, and also sells them at a pilot shop at McClellan-Palo- mar airport where her company is based. The CD-ROM has sold well there, including to locals fascinated with what their hometown has to offer. “People are just addicted to this kind of technology,” Lister said. SANDRA HAZELTINE STAFF WRITER CARLSBAD - Forget the colorful brochures and splashy ads used to lure tourists and businesses to the city. The Convention and Vis- itors Bureau is now market- ing Carlsbad via a CD-ROM that it began distributing last month. The multimedia tools will be used primarily to tout the city at trade shows, and will also be dis- tributed free of charge to select tour operators, meet- ing planners, and travel agents. Additional travel profes- sionals will have access to the CD-ROM at a nominal charge, through an adver- tisement in a new brochure that ConVis is distributing this week, said ConVis ex- ecutive director Steve Link. It will also be available to the general public via the ConVis Web site where it sells for $14.95. The disc contains about 25 minutes of full-motion video of city sights, dozens of digital pho- tographs and music, virtual real- ity photographs, animations, col- orful maps, and Web links to Carlsbad’s major hotels, restau- rants, attractions, and ConVis. The technology will allow users to see hotel rooms in Carlsbad via 360-degree panoramic photo- graphs on the disc, making it easy for tourists to plan their va- cations. “Someone who is planning their vacation to Carlsbad can stand on the balcony of a hotel room and look out to the beach below, or look left or right,” said Tom Johnson, president and CEO of Hi-Tek Multimedia, the ConVis officials decided to pursue a Carlsbad CD-ROM based on the success of a similar project the San Diego Conven- tion and Visitors Bureau did. An increase in the organization’s 1999 budget gave Link the $40,000 necessary for the de- sign, creation, programming, and production of about 10,000 CD-ROMs. Johnson, who also created the San Diego Con% CD-ROM, said multimedia tools like this one are important to the tourism industry because it provides a level playing field, especially for the smaller destinations such as Carlsbad that don’t necessarily have. the advertising budgets such as San Diego ConVis. “This CD is very exciting for Carlsbad because it is the tool for the digital age,” he said. “Us- ing brochures and printed hand- outs is yesteryear. The impact of persuading and having a greater reach in the tourism industry will have to include CD-ROMs and the Internet.” To help spread the word, Johnson has also set aside 500 of the Carlsbad CDs to distribute free of charge to libraries across the nation. Link said approximately 10,000 discs will be distributed between now and December 2001. It is scheduled to be updat- ed in August to include newer tourism members and the latest products, and a second version is expected to be released later this year. . . . 0.: J rPI 34 -_ . . ,- Car&ad Business Journal l wwnwarlsbad.org l April, 2000 ConVis prints meeting planners guide T he Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau has published its frost Meeting Planners Guide. Ten thousand copies were printed and mailed to select meeting plan- ners, tour operators and travel agents world- wide. The full-color 16-page booklet contains a comprehensive list of all public meeting rooms in Carlsbad including dimensions, capacity and support equipment available. The guide also contains a directory of Carls- bad hotels with a chart of amenities. “With the wide range of hotels and state- of-the-art technical support, Carlsbad can match big city facilities but with a small town charm, “said TJ Stroben, ConVis group sales coordinator. ‘With our conve- nient location between Los Angeles and San Diego, Carlsbad is a popular site for meet- ings.” “There is a trend in recent years for busi- ness travelers and delegates to conferences to bring their spouses and often their whole family,” said Stroben. This colorful guide shows that Carlsbad is a great family desti- nation and not just a place to meet. With golf, LEGOLziND, shopping and beaches we hope to entice delegates and business travelers to bring their families and extend their stay.” MARCH 2000- MEETINGS IN THE WEST Complimentary Guides Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering a free new 16-page meeting planner’s guide with information on meeting sites, restau- rants and accommodations. At a discounted price, a new CD-ROM is available, which includes information on attractions, history, virtual reality tours, and Internet links. For more information, call 800.227.5722 or e-mail convis@carlsbadca.org. Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau released the new 2000 Fairbanks Visitors Guide. The 80-page booklet covers activities, hotels, restaurants, and sights in Fairbanks, Denali and Interior Alaska. A travel planning section answers frequently asked questions and includes major driving and airline routes to the area.For more information, call 800327.5774 or visit www.explorefairbanks.com. . . a- CD touts - sights and 1 ‘. . sounds of Carlsbid - iNowmrCou~~~Tul~s -TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22,2OCO n 25-minute disc ‘e---c- - contains video of - hotels, restaurants apd attractions sari Diego-based company that produced the discs. “They can also zoom in or out, see the ocean and the palm trees.” In addition to boosting Carls- bad’s image, the disc also in- cludes links to a dozen attrac- tions in San Diego County such as Sea World, Old Town, Balboa Park, Palomar Mountain Obser- vatory and the historic sailing ship Star of India, Link said. “It was a last minute decision to add that section,” Link said. “But hopefully the links will help vacation planners see what else is available here.” Several other businesses that rely on tourism in Carlsbad are also distributing the CDs. Orga- nizations such as Legoland Cali- fornia, La Costa Resort and Spa, and Biplane Air Combat and Warbird Adventures are just some of the businesses that have the CDs available for customers. “It’s a terrific vehicle to rep- resent us and what to do in Carlsbad,” said Kate Lister of Bi- plane Air Combat and Warbird Adventures, an aviation cornpa- ny that provides aerial tours in biplanes.. SANDRA HAZELTINE STAFF WRITER CARLSBAD 2 Forget the colorful brochures and splashy ads used to lure tourists and businesses to the city. The Convention and Vis- itors Bureau is now market- ing Carlsbad via a CD-ROM that it began distributing last month. The multimedia tools will be used primarily to tout the city at trade shows, and will also be dis- tributed free of charge to select tour operators, meet- ing planners, and travel agents. Additional travel profes- sionals will have access to the CD-ROM at a nominal charge, through an adver- tisement in a new brochure that ConVis is distributing this week, said ConVis ex- ecutive director Steve Link. It will also be available to the general public via the ConVis Web site where it sells for $14.95. The disc contains about 25 minutes of full-motion video of city sights, dozens of digital pho- tographs and music, virtual real- ity photographs, animations, col- orful maps, and Web links to Carlsbad’s major hotels, restau- rants, attractions, and ConVis. The technology will allow users to see hotel rooms in Carlsbad via 360-degree panoramic photo- graphs on the disc, making it easy for tourists to plan their va- cations, “Someone who is planning their vacation to Carlsbad can stand on the balcony of a hotel room and look out to the beach below, or look left or right,” said Tom Johnson, president and CEO of Hi-Tek Multimedia, the Lister said she has sent the CDs to companies that have ex- pressed an interest in coming to Carlsbad, and also sells them at a pilot shop at McClellan-Palo- mar airport where her company is based. The CD-ROM has sold well there, including to locals fascinated with what their hometown has to offer. “People are just addicted to this kind of technology,” Lister said. ConVis officials decided to pursue a Carlsbad CD-ROM based on the success of a similar project the San Diego Conven- tion and Visitors Bureau did. An increase in the organization’s 1999 budget gave Link the $40,000 necessary for the de- sign, creation, programming, and production of about 10,000 CD-ROMs. Johnson, who also created the San Diego ConXs CD-ROM, said multimedia tools like this one are important to the tourism industry because it provides a level playing field, especially for the smaller destinations such as Carlsbad that don’t necessarily have the advertising budgets such as San Diego ConVis. “This CD is very exciting for Carlsbad because it is the tool for the digital age,” he said. “Us- ing brochures and printed hand- outs is yesteryear. The impact of persuading and having a greater reach in the tourism industry will have to include CD-ROMs and the Internet.” To help spread the word, Johnson has also set aside 500 of the Carlsbad CDs to distribute free of charge to libraries across the nation. Link said approximately 10,000 discs will be distributed between now and December 2001. It is scheduled to be updat- ed in August to include newer tourism members and the latest products, and a second version is expected to be released later this year. a\ Garfsbad Busineu Journal l mnv.carlsbad.org l April, 2000 ConVis prints meetina nlanners wide T he Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau has published its fmt Meeting Planners Guide. Ten thousand copies were printed and mailed to select meeting plan- ners, tour operators and travel agents world- wide. The full-color l&page booklet contains a comprehensive list of all public meeting rooms in Carlsbad including dimensions, capacity and support equipment available. The guide also contains a directory of Carls- bad hotels with a chart of amenities. “~X’ith the wide range of hotels and state- of-the-art technical support, Carlsbad can match big city facilities but with a small town charm, “said TJ Stroben, ConVis group sales coordinator. ‘With our conve- nient location between Los Angeles and San Diego, Carlsbad is a popular site for meet- ings.” “There is a trend in recent years for busi- ness travelers and delegates to conferences to bring their spouses and often their whole family,” said Stroben. This colorful guide shows that Carlsbad is a great family desti- nation and not just a place to meet. with golf, LEGOLAND, shopping and beaches we hope to entice delegates and business travelers to bring their families and extend their stay.” MARCH 2000- MEETINGS IN THE WEST Complimentary Guides Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering a free new 16-page meeting planner’s guide with information on meeting sites, restau- rants and accommodations. At a discounted price, a new CD-ROM is available, which includes information on attractions, history, virtual reality tours, and Internet links. For more information, call 800.227.5722 or e-mail convis@carlsbadca.org. Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau released the new 2000 Fairbanks Visitors Guide. The 80-page booklet covers activities, hotels, restaurants, and sights in Fairbanks, Denali and Interior Alaska. A travel planning section answers frequently asked questions and includes major driving and airline routes to the area.For more information, call 800.3276774 or visit www.explorefairbanks.com.