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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-18; Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District; 03-08-27; Consideration of Marketing ProposalCARLSBAD TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AGENDA BILL AB# MTG. DEPT. 03-08-27 3-18-08 Admin Services Consideration of Marketing Proposal from Reint Reinders & Associates CTBID STAFF \^ GENERAL /) / COUNSEL M//x * RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider marketing proposal from Reint Reinders & Associates. ITEM EXPLANATION: During the past two years, the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District (CTBID) Board of Directors has been focusing on the development of a marketing program that would support the wide range of hotel properties within the City of Carlsbad. Since the creation of the CTBID, the Board has worked with both the Wright Group and Destination Analysts, and has heard presentations from the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB), and the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau (SDNCVB) regarding services these agencies provide in support of tourism in the area. Most recently, the CTBID has contacted Mr. Reint Reinders, of Reint Reinders & Associates, regarding the development of marketing strategies and programs that will strengthen the tourism activities within Carlsbad. The proposal from Mr. Reinders, dated February 18, 2008, provides an overview of the service that would be provided by Reint Reinders & Associates, and the recommendations that would result from the proposed work program, The two phase work program as described in the proposal would provide the CTBID with the following: Phase 1 - A recommendation on how to drive visitor demand to increase travel and occupancies in Carlsbad. Phase II - Recommendations on how to spend CTBID assessment funds to maximize impact. A more detailed description of the work to be provided by Reint Reinders & Associates can be found on pages three and four of the proposal. The CTBID Board may review the proposal and ask Reint Reinders & Associates to perform all or a portion of the work described. Mr. Reinders has indicated that he is open to revising the work program to meet any specific needs. The CTBID Board should discuss the proposal at the March 18, 2008 meeting. Following the discussion, if the Board would like to proceed with hiring Reint Reinders & Associates, they should direct the General Counsel to draft the necessary documents and agreements for the signature of the Board Chairperson. FISCAL IMPACT: The proposal submitted by Reint Reinders & Associates includes two phases of work. Phase I is expected to take approximately four months, and is priced at a total of $80,000 ($20,000 per month for four months). Phase II is expected to take an additional 8 months, and has a total price of $96,000 ($12,000 per month), for a total project cost of $176,000. The CTBID's 2007-08 Budget has a $150,000 contingency fund and a $261,000 available fund balance for a total of $411,000 in available funds. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: This action does not approve any projects that will have a physical adverse affect on the environment so it falls within the general rule under CEQA that this is not a project (CEQA Regulation 15738 (b)). EXHIBITS: 1. Proposal from Reint Reinders & Associates dated February 18, 2008. 2. Resolution No. 2008-2, Authorizing the Chairperson of the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District to enter into an agreement for professional services with Reint Reinders & Associates. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Cheryl Gerhardt, 760-602-2409, cgerh@ci.carlsbad.ca.us FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY. BOARD ACTION: APPROVED H CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D DENIED D CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D CONTINUED D RETURNED TO STAFF D WITHDRAWN D OTHER-SEE MINUTES D AMENDED D EXHIBIT 1 R eint Reindcrs Reiat Reinders & Associates 12380 Rue Cheaumont San Diego, CA 92131 Phone: 619-519-2831 Monday, February 18, 2008 James F. Elliott Deputy City Manager City of Carlsbad 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 Re: City of Carlsbad. CA - Carlsbad Tourism B.I.D. Proposal Dear Jim: It is our pleasure to submit this Carlsbad Tourism BID Proposal to the City of Carlsbad, CA, and the CTBID Board Members (and CTBID staff member and legal counsel). A new marketing direction: an expanded tourism future Situation Analysis In 2006 The City of Carlsbad in cooperation with the hotel community enacted a BID self assessment initiative to add $1 per night to each room night occupied in all Carlsbad hotels. This initiative has raised more than $800,000.00 annually to be used for promoting and marketing Carlsbad as a desirable visitor destination. Traditionally, The City of Carlsbad has funded tourism sales and marketing and visitor services from the TOT budget, but has shifted this funding 100 percent now to the new BID. Tourism sales and marketing has been conducted for the last several years by the Carlsbad CVB and the San Diego North CVB (SDNCVB), with the Carlsbad CVB receiving approximately $425,000 for its marketing and visitor services and the SDNCVB $100,000.00 approximately for contracted leisure and group sales. After two years of the BID collecting the funds, the BID in cooperation with the City is interested in exploring how the funds should be spent most efficiently and effectively for maximum impact. The hotel community and the City are desirous of initiatives that will enable occupancies to reach and maintain 70 percent or higher for the destination. Reint Relnders & Associates Proposal -1- Reint Reinders & Associates (RR&A), a San Diego-based hospitality consulting firm, has been requested by the City of Carlsbad and the BID to submit a proposal to; 1. Review 2. Analyze and 3. Make recommendations On how tourism sales & marketing and visitor services for the Carlsbad community should be conducted going forward. RR&A recognizes the City and the BID's keen interest in recommendations that will result in a more dynamic and effective organizational leadership structure to ensure that BID funds have the highest possible R.O.I. At present 35 Carlsbad hotels with 3,500 rooms are running an aggregate occupancy of 65 percent and generate approximately $835,000.00 in BID funds. An increase of 5 points to a stabilized and desired 70 percent occupancy would generate an additional 63,875 room nights sold and would result in substantial gains in hotel revenues and TOT for the City. A two part proposal will outline how RR&A plans to execute the critical objective. RR&A Proposal Phase I Timeline: Four (4) months from the time of contract signing. Due Diligence to be performed: 1. Conduct a review of the performances of the Carlsbad CVB and the San Diego North CVB (collectively) 2. Conduct meetings individually or in group settings with the Carlsbad hotel stakeholders 3. Conduct meetings individually or In group settings with the Carlsbad tourism stakeholders 4. Conduct interviews with the City management team and the City Council members where appropriate 5. Conduct in-depth interviews with the BID Board members 6. Meet one-on-one with the leaders of Carlsbad CVB and the SDNCVB 7. Meet with key leaders at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce 8. Meet with community civic leaders of the Carlsbad at large community 9. Review in depth the survey report produced by Destinations Analysts 10. Review in depth the branding PPt. presentation produced by Destination Analysts 11. Review In depth the recently completed Carlsbad CVB Vision 2010 PPt. and report 12. Review the "CVB Industry Most Recent Futures Report" produced by DMAI 13. Review any and all other previous reports and proposals, surveys, questionnaires and sales and marketing plans which have been or are presently guiding Carlsbad destination sales and marketing initiatives 14. Identify any and all accessible partners for potential future alliances The Citv of Carlsbad & BID'S Expectations -2- The BID and the City of Carlsbad can expect a report and a set of actionable recommendations that will help guide them going forward with their visitor destination marketing initiatives. RR&A understands fully that the key deliverable will be opinion and recommendation on how best to drive visitor demand so as to increase travel and occupancies. The City of Carlsbad and BID will be able to promote and extend the Carlsbad brand after implementing the brand strategy initiatives. RR&A will provide guidance in how Carlsbad visitor stakeholders will take on a leadership position to partner with and direct cooperation and support initiatives with the Carlsbad business community going forward, RR&A will recommend guidelines for visitor destination marketing strategies: 1. Structure 2. Policies 3. Oversight 4. Planning and 5. Execution In addition, RR&A will analyze: 1. Manpower needs 2. Consultant roles 3. Technology requirements 4. Office situation 5. Contracted sales and marketing and 6. Any and all other tools needed to ensure a highly functioning environment RR&A Proposal Phase II After the initial four months of Phase I, the set of recommendations will be available for actionable steps to go forward with RR&A's Phase II professional services. RR&A recommends that The City of Carlsbad and BID engage the RR&A team for a second phase (Phase II). Phase II is designed to ensure full implementation and detailed follow up on all recommendations the City of Carlsbad and BID approve and adopt. Phase II is expected to last eight (8) months. This follow up mentoring can be a real asset to the organization as it begins to execute on the marketing plans, new budgets and technology implementation. RR&A suggests a series of steps that would enable RR&A to interact with leadership and the staffs, hold weekly meetings, do coaching, teaching and continuously adjust and improve the new agreed upon and adopted standards. -3- RR&A will be reporting monthly in writing and in person to the BID Board, the ultimate stakeholder leadership. RR&A is confident that RR&A will be able to have a very effective functioning organization and have instituted an enterprising spirit to deliver on the Carlsbad visitor marketing initiatives. The proposed Phase I project will last four (4) months with a possibility of reducing the process to three (3) months. RR&A expects to render 100 hours of work per month. Assisting throughout the projects will be RR&A's associate, David M. Brudney, ISHC, principal of David Brudney & Associates of Carlsbad (www.DavidBrudney.com, see attached Bio). Project Outcomes 1. RR&A to answer the question: how the BID assessment funds should be spent most efficiently and effectively for maximum Impact? 2. The professional knowledge, expertise and marketplace hands-on experience of the RR&A team will help produce recommendations and initiatives on how best to drive visitor demand so as to increase travel and occupancies to 70 percent or higher annually 3. Ensures full implementation and detailed follow up on all recommendations The City of Carlsbad and BID approve and adopt 4. A full and detailed progress report will be delivered at the end of each month and an oral download will be provided to the BID Board (who will be monitoring the project's progress) 5. By engaging RR&A for Phase II, The City of Carlsbad and the BID Board will have confidence and peace of mind that RR&A will oversee full Implementation and detailed follow up of all approved and adopted recommendations 6. Phase II allows for RR&A to provide follow up mentoring, a real asset to and for the organization as the City of Carlsbad and the BID Board begins execution and implementation of new budgets, marketing plans and technology resources 7. The monthly overviews would consist of Interaction with leadership and staffs, weekly meetings, teaching, coaching and mentoring and continuous adjusting and improvement upon the approved and adopted new standards 8. RR&A will be reporting monthly in writing and in person to the BID Board, the ultimate stakeholder leadership Project Fqes Phase I Professional services rendered: $20,000.00 per month; four (4) months duration, total: $80,000.00. Phase II Professional services rendered: $12,000.00 per month; eight (8) months duration, total: $96,000.00. RR&A is available to respond to any and all questions on this proposal. .4- Respectfully submitted by RR&A for your consideration and approval, Reint Reinders, CHA, Managing Director Reint Reinders & Associates Hospitality Consulting 12380 Rue Cheaumont San Diego, CA 92131 (Phone) 619-519-2831 Reint@ReintReinders.com David M. Brudney, ISHC, Principal David Brudney & Associates 2938A Luciernaga Street Carlsbad, CA 92009 (Phone) 760-476-0830 David@pavidBrudney.com www.DavldBrudney.com www.ishc.com Attachment: Executive summary Bios on RR&A principals -5- Reint ReindetS ReintfaReiatReinders.com 619-519-2831 Reint Reinders, CHA, is the President of Reint Reindets & Associates, a hospitality consulting firm he founded in 2006. He is presently consulting on several hotel projects, as diverse as the 2,000 room Gay lord Chula Vista, presently under development, to budget and lifestyle hotel developments elsewhere in California and locally in San Diego. He has also consulted with CVBs, most notably, in 2007 for Jacksonville, Florida, where he facilitated a 2020 Strategic Vision Planning effort. Mr. Reinders was born and raised in Holland, where he had his formative years and studied Hotel Administration at the International School of Hotel Administration in The Hague. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in hotel management. After a few years in Europe in the hotel business, Reint moved to the USA where he joined Hilton Hotels at the Tarrytown New York property. In 1970 Mr. Reinders joined the Marriott Corporation where he enjoyed a successful career in all facets of the hotel business, working at various properties around the country and in the process becoming a successful general manager. In 1985 he was awarded GM of the year by Marriott Hotels. He opened the highly successful La Jolk Marriott in 1985 and after a 21 year career retired from Marriott in 1991. Mr. Reinders became President and CEO of die San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1991, a position he held for 15 years until his retirement in 2006. His career in the CVB business was highly distinguished as he took San Diego from a virtual unknown to a national and international player in the meetings and consumer travel business. The receipts of TOT dollars, a measure of travel volume, grew from $30 million to over $125 million on his watch. He instituted numerous award winning sales and marketing initiatives during his tenure. Twice he was recognized as one of the top 25 most influential people in the meetings industry. Mr. Reinders continues to be active in die San Diego community, in Rotary and on the Board of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, a highly successful attraction, for which he was a founding Executive Board member. Upon his retirement a special endowment for student growth was established in his name at the SDSU School of Hospitality, a program he was instrumental in getting started in the bite eighties. Reint and Angela, his wife of 34 years, have a grown daughter, and reside in Scripps Ranch. Reint Reinders, Managing Director Reint Reinders & Associates Hospitality Consulting 12380 Rue Cheaumont San Diego, CA 92131 (Phone) 619-519-2831 Roint@ReintReinciefs.com EXHIBIT 2 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-2 2 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CARLSBAD TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRPERSON TO ENTER 4 INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH REINT REINDERS & ASSOCIATES 5 6 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad adopted Ordinance No. NS-778 7 enacting Chapter 3.37 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code on November 15, 2005 thereby creating 8 the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District (CTBID); and 9 WHEREAS, the primary purpose of the CTBID is to promote tourism and provide 10 services to visitors to the City of Carlsbad; and 11 WHEREAS, the City Council has authorized the Board of Directors of the CTBID to 12 conduct the business of the CTBID in the time, place and manner that best suits the needs of the 13 Board of Directors of the CTBID, subject to the control of federal, state and local laws governing 14 the activities of a Business Improvement District; and 15 WHEREAS, the City Council has provided the Board of Directors with the ability to 16 contract for services necessary to carry out the purpose of the CTBID; and 17 WHEREAS, Mr. Reint Reinders, by virtue of his extensive experience in the hospitality 18 industry, marketing background, deep understanding of the tourism industry, and long tenure 19 with several successful hotel operations, is uniquely qualified to provide marketing and other 20 consulting services to the CTBID; and 21 WHEREAS, the CTBID requested a proposal from Reint Reinders &Associates for 22 marketing and consulting services; and 23 WHEREAS, Reint Reinders & Associates submitted a proposal for services dated 24 February 18, 2008 that set forth a scope of work that consisted of two separate phases; and 25 WHEREAS, the CTBID Board has reviewed the proposal submitted by Reint Reinders 26 & Associates and finds that the services to be provided by Reint Reinders & Associates will be of 27 benefit to the CTBID; 28 WHEREAS, it is estimated that Phase 1 of the services will take 3 to 4 months to complete and the fee shall not to exceed $20,000 per month; WHEREAS, Reint Reinders & Associates estimate that it will work no more than 1 00 hours per month and will bill at the established rate of $200 per hour; WHEREAS, Reint Reinders & Associates will invoice the CTBID monthly; and WHEREAS, Reint Reinders & Associates will provide monthly progress reports to either the CTBID Board, the subcommittee of the CTBID Board or both the CTBID Board and the subcommittee of the CTBID Board. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District, as follows: 1 . That the above recitations are true, correct, and incorporated herein. 2. That the CTBID General Counsel is directed to draft the documents necessary to enter into an agreement with Reint Reinders & Associates to provide a part of the services described as Phase 1 in the proposal dated February 18, 2008, as are deemed necessary by the CTBID Board. 3. That the CTBID Chairperson is hereby authorized to sign an agreement between the CTBID and Reint Reinders & Associates in a form acceptable to the CTBID General Counsel for the procurement of the described services. 4. That staff is authorized to pay Reint Reinders & Associates invoices in an amount not to exceed $20,000 per month for a maximum of four months. -2- PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District on the 1*9 day of/Y) yI 1 \&M (>K 2008, by the following vote to wit: AYES: NOES: O ABSENT: ATTEST: /_(/^ TIMOTHY Vice Chairpersor ONE WOOD ' Pro "Mi Clerk of the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District^ -2-