Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council
Called meeting of December 14th, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Present:Joanne Spangler, Chair; Bessie Weber, Vice-Chair
Also Present:Karl Weiss, Roger Hayden, Sandra Belcher, Debbie Spencer, David Stanley, Rebecca Adcock, Ingrid Caldwell
Absent:Diane Lawson, Secretary
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The Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council meeting was held Thursday, December 14th at 6:00 PM in the second-floor conference room of the Patrick County Veteran’s Memorial Administration Building. Mr. Karl Weiss gave the invocation.
AGENDA
Joanne Spangler called the meeting to order. The agenda was presented for approval. On a motion made byChris Owens seconded by Debbie Spencer and carried, the Tourism Council approved the agenda.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting forNovember 19th,2017 were sent via email and presented.On a motion by made Bessie Webber, seconded by Chris Owens with an exception to add Mr. Owen’s name to November meeting minutes and carried, the Council approved the minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Joanne Spangler opened public comment period.
Amy Cornsand Lindsey Puckett presenteda proposed swimming pool slide project on behalf ofthe Stuart DeHart Park. The pool slide will be installed by the summer of 2018 with partial funding of $10K from the Tourism Advisory Council.
Rick Whorley, President of the Woolwine DeHart Park reported on plans for a campground and shower facilities to be builtfor the VA State Championship Mountain Bike Trail races that are heldat the Woolwine Park. This project will be funded by the Tourism Advisory Council, as was voted to add a $10K line item to the Tourism budget for each county park.
Clay Sawyers with Patrick Springs Park reported on plans for paving the Patrick Springs Park parking lot before hosting of the district Dixie Youth baseball tournament in 2018. Mr. Sawyers also noted a possibility of Travelsoftball tournaments to be held at the Patrick Springs Park as well. This project will be funded by the Tourism Advisory Council, as was voted to add a $10K line item to the Tourism budget for each county park.
Frank Fox thanked the Tourism Council for their dedication to the county and for the special partnership with the Chamber.
Joanne Spangler closed the public comments.
MARKETING REPORT
David Stanley reported an Internet domain name for the Proudly Patrick branding program has been obtained. This branding program will be used by Patrick County artisans and entrepreneurs to add Proudly Patrick stickers to their Patrick County made products.
Mr. Stanleynoted negotiations with Floydfestevent promoter Sam Calhoun to addPatrick County textto the footer of each Floydfest webpage, and include Patrick County advertising with the upcoming Floyd Fandango event in June before the Floydfest contract is signed. Sandra Belcher stated all of Patrick county lodgings entities will be added to the Floydfest website, being one of the greatest assets of the partnership with Floydfest.
Mr. Stanley noted the Blue Ridge Outdoors and Blue Ridge Country magazine ads are being created for the upcoming year, as well as the Lover’s Leap sign which is in the design process. Sandra Belcher is to confirm with Lisa Hughesof VDOT the location of the Lover’s Leap sign in reference to the road.
Sandra Belcher suggested creating “way finding signs” for the MMRT. Also suggested were an entryway sign atFairy Stone State Park,and a VA State Championship Bike sign for the Woolwine DeHart Park similar to the Fred Clifton Park sign; keeping in line the branding of the county park signs as suggested by David Stanley. Signage for the VA State Championship Bike Trail located near Tuggle’s Gap was also suggested by Mrs. Belcher. Mr.Stanley suggested using VDOT state signage as much as possible, then creating county signs when required.
CHAMBER REPORT
Rebecca Adcock reported of starting a visitor log at the Chamber. Mrs. Adcock notedthe Hometown Christmas and The Grand Illumination, partnered with Patrick County Tourism were successful events this year. Mrs. Adcock presented theProudly Patrick stickers to the Council, stating the stickers will be offered toChamber member artisans and vendors to further market Patrick Countymade products. Also noted 33 new members have joined the Chamber, with 600 Chamber email addressescurrently in the database. The Chamber will host a Lunch and Learn with Silver Lining Design and also a series of Spanish classes for Business in January.
Chris Owens reported on the Christmas Parade presented by One Family Productions being a successful venture. There were 100 parade entries this year.
FINANCE REPORT
Sandra Belcher reported the current balance of the transient occupancy tax as $310,723.77. Mrs. Belcher stated the financial report noted her attendancefees for the Virginia Tourism Orientation Program in Richmond and the Tourism Summit in Norfolk. Mrs. Belcher commented she is now aware ofthe Virginia Tourism’s website services and will implementfuture marketing partnerships and discounted advertising options provided by VTC. Mrs. Belcher noted both Tourism conferences featured digital media as being one of the top advertising techniques to market tourism. HD Web Studio, the Tourism website maintenance host has been contactedto possibly update the Tourism website to include blogs and stronger digital media manipulation.
Mrs. Belcher asked the Council for their support on a new administrative position for the Tourism department. Karl Weiss noted Tom Rose be included in the consideration; Mrs. Belcher stated that Mr. Rose was aware of the request and the existing heavy work load in the Tourism Department.
OLD BUSINESS
MEADOWS OF DAN –Sandra Belcher reported DHCD sent a letter of confirmation toPatrick Countystating therequirements for the Planning Grant awarded to the Meadows of Dan Community last yearwereincomplete. Two options were provided by DHCD. 1). Close the grant, with the remaining $16K funding unused, or 2). File for a six-month extension to address theremaining requirements. Sandra Belcher stated shecontacted DHCD to be considered for a six-month extension. Mrs. Belcheralso noted after the confirmation of the extension from DHCD, a request for proposal will be advertised to engage a civil engineering firm’s services to complete the remaining requirements of the Planning Grant.
PHILPOTT LAKE – Sandra Belcher reported a Virginia Tourismpartnership grant application has been submitted, partnering with Franklin and Henry counties for advertising andmarketing efforts for the 65th anniversary rollout of Philpott Lake in 2018. A company called Roots Rated has been contracted to help write and advertise the Philpott Lake area along with the Fairy Stone State Park.
BOB WHITE COVERED BRIDGE – Roger Hayden reported Patrick County Building Inspection Department requires the implementation of a floodplain study before building the bridge back, which costs roughly $6K.
The Tourism Council decided the nextmeeting be heldon January 18th at 6:PM on the second floor of the administration building.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Chris Owens, seconded by Debbie Spencer and carried, with no further business to discuss, the Tourism Council voted to adjourn.