1 MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST REGIONAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU OFFICIAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 The MS Gulf Coast Regional Convention & Visitors Commissioners met Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., at its office located at 2350 Beach Blvd, Suite A, Biloxi, MS 39531. Commissioners Present : Duncan McKenzie, president; Kim Fritz, vice president; Jimmie Ladner, treasurer; Rich Westfall, secretary; CeCe Shabazz Richard Chenoweth; Rip Daniels; Jeff Descher; Danny Hansen; Chett Harrison; Bill Holmes; Jerry Levens; George Schloegel; Carla Todd; Clay Wagner HCTC Staff Members Present : Beth Carriere, executive director; Crystal Johnson, director, sales; Torye Hurst, director, sports marketing; Traci Dauro Others Present : Hugh Keating, legal counsel; Laura Hasty, Reed Guice, Andy Hurt, Kerry Stoddard and Nicole Grier, the Big Three; Bob Thunelius; Scott Ratcliff; Mike Buckley, Grand Bear; Linda Hornsby, MS Hotel & Lodging Assn; Janice Jefferson, MS Coast Coliseum; Marcia Crawford, HC Development Commission; Sherry McQueen, South Beach; Bridgette Varone, MS Hospitality & Rest Assn; Mary Perez, Sun Herald; Supervisor Kim Savant, Harrison County Board of Supervisors; Henry Laird; Dan Brown, MS Parks Commission; Louis Skrmetta, Ship Island Excursion Commissioner McKenzie called the meeting to Order. 1. Commissioner Fritz made the motion to modify the present agenda to add Key Performance Indicators to the Playbook as part of section IV. Old Business under item A, and accept the agenda with changes. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen, the president called the question, with the following results: Commissioner Fritz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Ladner Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Westfall Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Chenoweth Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Daniels Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Descher Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Hansen Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Harrison Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Holmes Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Levens Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Schloegel Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Shabazz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Todd Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Wagner Voted ---- Yes The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013. 2. Commissioner Levens made a motion to accept the minutes from August 27, 2013, Synopsis from August 28, 2013 and minutes from the work session held August 28, 2013, meetings as modified. Seconded by Commissioner Descher, the president called the question, with the following results: Commissioner Fritz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Ladner Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Westfall Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Chenoweth Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Daniels Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Descher Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Hansen Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Harrison Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Holmes Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Levens Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Schloegel Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Shabazz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Todd Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Wagner Voted ---- Yes The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013. 3. Commissioner Wagner made the motion to approve the MS Gulf Coast Regional CVB Playbook, which includes the following items: Core Values - Collaboration, Teamwork, Unity, Championship of a Positive Image for the MS Gulf Coast Core Purpose – To have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents of the MS Gulf Coast through the advancement of the Tourism Industry
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MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST REGIONAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
OFFICIAL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
The MS Gulf Coast Regional Convention & Visitors Commissioners met Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., at its office located at 2350 Beach Blvd, Suite A, Biloxi, MS 39531.
Commissioners Present: Duncan McKenzie, president; Kim Fritz, vice president; Jimmie Ladner, treasurer; Rich Westfall, secretary; CeCe Shabazz Richard Chenoweth; Rip Daniels; Jeff Descher; Danny Hansen; Chett Harrison; Bill Holmes; Jerry Levens; George Schloegel; Carla Todd; Clay Wagner
Others Present: Hugh Keating, legal counsel; Laura Hasty, Reed Guice, Andy Hurt, Kerry Stoddard and Nicole Grier, the Big Three; Bob Thunelius; Scott Ratcliff; Mike Buckley, Grand Bear; Linda Hornsby, MS Hotel & Lodging Assn; Janice Jefferson, MS Coast Coliseum; Marcia Crawford, HC Development Commission; Sherry McQueen, South Beach; Bridgette Varone, MS Hospitality & Rest Assn; Mary Perez, Sun Herald; Supervisor Kim Savant, Harrison County Board of Supervisors; Henry Laird; Dan Brown, MS Parks Commission; Louis Skrmetta, Ship Island Excursion
Commissioner McKenzie called the meeting to Order.
1. Commissioner Fritz made the motion to modify the present agenda to add Key Performance Indicators to the Playbook as part of section IV. Old Business under item A, and accept the agenda with changes. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen, the president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
2. Commissioner Levens made a motion to accept the minutes from August 27, 2013, Synopsis from
August 28, 2013 and minutes from the work session held August 28, 2013, meetings as modified. Seconded by Commissioner Descher, the president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
3. Commissioner Wagner made the motion to approve the MS Gulf Coast Regional CVB Playbook, which
includes the following items:
Core Values - Collaboration, Teamwork, Unity, Championship of a Positive Image for the
MS Gulf Coast
Core Purpose – To have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents of the MS Gulf
Coast through the advancement of the Tourism Industry
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Envisioned Futures - To achieve Premier Destination status by:
o Increase annual visitation from 5 million in 2012 to 7 million annually in 2020;
o Transform current $1.6 billion annual tourism spending into $2.3 billion;
o Create roughly 10,000 new tourism jobs on the MS Gulf Coast: The Mississippi Gulf
Coast is one of the top vacation destinations, places to meet and do business and places
to live in the Southeast region of the United States. The economy is booming. It is
visually attractive, easy to navigate with a variety of quality amenities, services, facilities
and products and of a high value for both residents and visitors to enjoy.
Vision Statement - To create continuous growth in jobs and economic growth through
establishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region as a premier destination for tourism, meetings
and conventions, sports, travel, events and trade shows.
Strategy Summary - Our strategy is to assemble an inclusive group of regional experts in
hospitality industries, coastal business, and public service, and use that collective expertise
and resource to develop and execute a plan that grows jobs, tax revenue, and quality of life
in all three coastal counties. We will embrace the concepts of facts, team, proactive,
transparency and action. We will decisively build strategy, and we will pursue it relentlessly.
We will trumpet success and disclose failure, and in doing so we will build credibility among
public and private sector in order to build a continuously growing team.
Key Success Factors (with their respective weighting) –
o 3-County Regional Approach (25%)
o Quantifiable Goals, Measurement, and Monitoring (25%)
o Cooperative and Formal Partnership between Private and Public Sector Entities (10%)
o Financial and Participative Leadership from Stakeholders (10%)
o Open and Candid Public Communication (10%)
o Operational Effectiveness and Performance and Compliance (10%)
Key Performance Indicators
Priority Goals and Objectives
o Integration of regional business leadership with regional elected/appointed leadership
(KSF1)
o Development of clear and concise quantification of "premier status" (KSF2)
o Structured methodology for plan development between county elected leaders, CVB
executives/appointees, and private sector stakeholders (KSF3)
o Structured but open meetings, with generally available meeting summaries to eliminate any potential for misrepresentation of the facts (KSF3 and KSF5)
o Written contracts and/or agreements for funding and "loaned expertise" to a regional tourism organization (KSF4)
o Assist other Coast organizations efforts to fill "gaps" in tourism products, amenities and offerings (KSF6)
o Ensure sufficient staff resources, organizational structure and effectiveness (KSF6)
o Position the CVB to have established the organizational foundation to receive and/or
manage Restore funds earmarked for tourism consistent with the Go Coast 2020 report
issued. KSF All
Seconded by Commissioner Levens, the president called the question, with the following results: Commissioner Fritz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Ladner Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Westfall Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Chenoweth Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Daniels Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Descher Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Hansen Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Harrison Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Holmes Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Levens Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Schloegel Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Shabazz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Todd Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Wagner Voted ---- Yes
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The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
4. President McKenzie opened the floor for discussion for appointments to the following Committees:
a. Marketing & Conventions/Group Sales
b. Development & Government Relations
c. Governance
d. Finance & Funding
5. Commissioner Levens made the motion to add Commissioner Hansen and Advisory Board member
John Boyles to the Governance Committee. Seconded by Commissioner Chenoweth, the president
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
6. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to accept the recommendation for the following members to the
Marketing & Conventions/Group Sales Committee:
Jeff Descher, Chair; Rip Daniels; Kim Fritz; Danny Hansen; Chett Harrison; CeCe Shabazz; Rich
Westfall; Advisory Members – Mike Buckley; Linda Hornsby; Janice Jefferson; Clay Williams
Seconded by Commissioner Levens, the president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
7. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to add the following members to the Development &
Government Relations Committee, with Commissioner Schloegel as chair appointed previously:
Rip Daniels; Clay Wagner; Carla Todd; Jimmie Ladner; Bill Holmes; Richard Chenoweth,
Advisory Board members – Bob Thunelius; Clay Williams and Louis Skrmetta.
Seconded by Commissioner Westfall, the president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
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8. Commissioner Levens made the motion to add Commissioner Holmes and Advisory Board member
Linda Hornsby to the Finance & Funding Committee. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen, the
president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
9. Commissioner Levens made the motion to authorizing the President to make needed modifications to
the slate of Committees as needed. Seconded by Commissioner Schloegel, the president called the
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
Public
Dan Brown, Superintendent, Gulf Islands National Sea Shore & Louis Skrmetta, Attractions
Association reported on updates to Ship Island and Gulf National Seashore. Mr. Brown stated that
the Gulf National Seashore is one of the largest seashores in the United States, with over 5 million
visitors per year. This generates over $30 million in tourist revenue per year. Ship Island is the most
popular of the Parks, and all damages from Hurricane Katrina have been repaired. The Park service
is concerned about the Off Shore Drilling application and has met with MDA Director Brent
Christenson to discuss. That National Park Service was awarded $439 million to repair the “Camille
Cut” which will join both islands together.
Linda Hornsby, MS Hotel & Lodging Assn reported on the room occupancy for first week in August.
So far the weekday ADR is averaging $60.40 with the weekend rate of $94.70, government per diem
rate is at $83. Will have full report at the October 22nd meeting.
10. Commissioner Daniels made a motion allowing this Commission to take a position on the Off Shore
Drilling permit filed by the MS Development Authority. Seconded by Commissioner Shabazz, the
president called the question, with the following results;
Commissioner Fritz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Ladner Voted ---- No Commissioner Westfall Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Chenoweth Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Daniels Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Descher Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Hansen Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Harrison Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Holmes Voted ---- No Commissioner Levens Voted ---- No Commissioner Schloegel Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Shabazz Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Todd Voted ---- No Commissioner Wagner Voted ---- No
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The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
11. Commissioner Schloegel made a motion endorsing a “Tourism Value Statement” which will emphasis
the importance of tourism, and the economic benefits from the MS Gulf Coast. Seconded by
Commissioner Fritz, the president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
Due to previous appointment President McKenzie absent and excused heroin. Vice President Fritz to
chair in his absence.
12. Executive Director Report
Beth Carriere
Updates, News and FYI’S A. SATW planning down to nitty-gritty! Active Writers:110 - Other delegates: 199 B. Governor’s Conference Tourism Awards – September 24th C. Site Tour Ford Motor Co. during Cruisin’ the Coast for possible Lincoln unveiling event and Ford
Sponsorship for Cruisin 2014. Sales Departments Production Report – August, 2013
Convention Sales: (Please review full reports) Convention Sales Leads generated: Twenty Two (22) - YTD – 119; 8,125 delegates – YTD - 38,622; 15,236 room nights YTD – 66,980; Estimated economic impact $6,093,750.00; Five Convention Center Leads Bookings/Definite: Three (3) - YTD – 48; 650 delegates - YTD – 9,090; 736 room nights YTD – 13,259; Estimated economic impact $487,500.00 Lost Business Report: (See full report): Five (5) - YTD - 61 MGC Conventions/Groups Serviced: (See full report): Groups – 12- YTD – 118; Delegates – 2,450 YTD – 32,336; Economic Impact - $1,837,500.00; CVB Cost to service - $733.53 Group/Leisure Travel: @ $200. Per room night (See full report) Leads: Four (4) - YTD – 46; Passengers - 163 YTD – 5,488; Room nights – 250 YTD – 4,908; Estimated economic Impact- $427,500.00
Sports Sales and Marketing: (See full report) August, 2013
Lost/Cancelled Business – None Reported Marketing & Communications Department: (Please See full report)
Article Media/ Ten (10) Articles Advertising Inquiries/fulfillment: USA 800 Top 10 AD Inquiries ; August – 738; YTD – 59,721 USA 800 Top 3 AD Source – August: WEB – 298; Search Engine – 128; WEB/Digital 68 USA 800 Top 3 AD Source: YTD: Oprah Magazine - 14,739; America’s Best Vacation - 11,482; STS Fall Insert -7,214 USA 800 Top 3 AD Source by State – August: Mississippi – 78; Texas 78; Louisiana 57
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USA 800 Top 3 AD Source by State – YTD: Texas - 7,474; Florida - 3,687; Georgia - 2,881 Web Statistics– GulfCoast.org Google Analytics – August- vs- July
Outbound referrals to Marketing Partners Web Sites – August: Partners received referrals – 21,800; Top 3 outbound sites and numbers - Beau Rivage 966; Grand Biloxi 862; Hard Rock 631 Mobile Statistics – August: Visits - 23,311; Unique Visitors - 17,832; Page Views - 199,937; Avg. Visit Duration - 8.58; Bounce Rate - 21.80%; New Visits % - 65.65% Web Banner Advertising (gulfcoast.org) – Page impressions: Palace Casino Resort - 16,268; Preserve Golf Course - 1,432; South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites - 3,624; MS Hotel & Lodging Assoc./Golf - 2,278; MS Hotel & Lodging Assoc /Hotel - 3,624; Shular Properties - 2,555 Click Through events: Palace Casino Resort 287; Preserve Golf Course 52; South Beach Biloxi Hotel 340; MS Hotel & Lodging Assoc./Golf 52; MS Hotel & Lodging Assoc./Hotel 15; Shular Properties 57 Social Media – Facebook - Fans/Likes – 15,476 up 399; Twitter - Followers- @MSGulfCoastCVB- 1,409; Tweets- 3,533 - Followers- @MeetMSGulfCoast- 232; Tweets- 630; Pinterest Boards - 15 Pins-340; Followers- 314; YouTube - August Views – 1,126; Lifetime views - 53,737; Food Spotting; Spots- 1,190; Points- 2,010 (points on likes/responses)
Executive Director Activities, Meetings & Events MGCRCVB – Commission meeting; Workshop meeting- John Hairston 20/20 & Godwin report on Research; 4 Interviews with applicants for delivery personnel; Meeting with CPA Steve Theobald – SATW Budget; Meeting & Lunch with Malcolm White, Director Tourism MDA; Meeting with Bill Webb – MDA- Tourism Film office; Board Meeting – MCCCC; Board Meeting – Cruisin’ the Coast; Airport Authority Monthly Board meeting; MS Hotel/Lodging Monthly meeting; MGRC Board meeting; Meeting with City of d’Iberville manager, etc. regarding new Casino project; Meeting with George Toth and Company, regarding Investments /Casino- d’Iberville; Attractions Association Board Meeting; Department Heads – Marketing Plan meeting; SATW Committee meeting; Board meeting GPT/Biloxi Airport Authority; Meeting with Big 3 Ad Agency; Meeting with Dean Fletcher – Auditor; Harrison County BOS – Operating Agreement approval; Harrison County BOS – Budget Approval; Meeting- Agency Rep. Laura Hasty/Big 3; Playbook Luncheon meeting –McKenzie, Fritz, Westfall, Wagner, Levens; Meeting with SURGE marketing; Infinity Board Meeting; Eco-Tourism Summit/Workshop
13. Commissioner Schloegel made the motion to approve the Open Job form from the Big 3 in the amount
of $20,000 for the 2013/2014 advertising media plan and send to the Marketing Committee for further
consideration. Seconded by Commissioner Holmes, the vice president called the question, with the
Commissioner Todd Voted ---- Yes Commissioner Wagner Voted ---- Yes The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
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14. Mrs. Carriere updated the Commission on the Billy Creel Luncheon. Event will be held at the
Convention Center, waiting on confirmed dates and from the recipients.
15. Legal Counsel
Mr. Keating discussed what specific information needed to be included in the value of tourism
statement.
16. Commissioner Schloegel made the motion authorizing Legal Counsel to prepare the statement letter to
MDR with input from the executive director and the Development Committee. Seconded by
Commissioner Wagner, the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
Bids
17. Vice President Fritz called for any and all bids to be received from the Request for Proposals for Banks
to qualify as a depository of the CVB for a two (2) year term.
18. Legal Counsel reported the following have submitted per the RFQ:
a. Bancorp South
b. Trustmark
c. Peoples Bank
19. Commissioner Ladner made the motion to accept the bids as stated, tabulate and award at a later date.
Seconded by Commissioner Holmes, the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
MGCRCVB Reports
20. Commissioner Levens reported on the Governance Committee charter as presented:
21. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to Adopt the Audit Committee Charter guidelines, which
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
23. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to accept the 2008 Independent Auditor’s Report from Fletcher
& Company as presented, and forward to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors. Seconded by
Commissioner Levens, the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
24. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to accept the 2009 Independent Auditor’s Report from Fletcher
& Company as presented, and forward to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors.
Seconded by Commissioner Levens, the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
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25. Commissioner Harrison made the motion to accept the quote from Fletcher & Company for the FY
2012/2013 audit in the amount of $8,750. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen, the vice president called
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the vice president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
26. Commissioner Schloegel thanked the commissioner newly appointed to this committee, and a meeting
will be held shortly.
Treasurer’s Report
27. Commissioner Ladner reported the September 17, 2013 disbursements as follows: check disbursements for 09/17/13--$188,441.41; total travel advance/reimbursements for August 2013 -- $1,605.94; grand total disbursements--$190,047.35. Commissioner Hansen moved these disbursements be approved. Seconded by Commissioner Levens, the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
28. Commissioner Ladner reported on the following items:
a. Room sales tax revenue of room sales tax collections for September 17, 2013 – actual 5% collection was $759,111.11 with HCBOS’s 2.75% share being $417,511.11 and HCTC’s 2.25% share being $341,600 for a 0.33% change in total collection, and total income of 1.27% year to year changes.
b. World Choice Travel Revenue collections for the month of August 2013 being $1,260.80, with a total
year to date $10,858.06.
29. Executive Session – None
30. Reminders:
1. MGCRCVB meeting – Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 1:30pm
31. Commissioner Hansen made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Levens,
the vice president called the question, with the following results:
The motion having been duly made, seconded, and a favorable vote received from the Commission, the president declared the motion adopted September 17, 2013.
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Sales Department Report
CONVENTION SALES:
Tentative Leads:
September 2013: 9 Fiscal YTD: 128
Name
Meeting Date # Attendees / # Room
Nights
Origin
Mississippi Association of Broadcasters –
2015 Annual Convention
May 27 – 29,
2015
100 / 210 Client Meeting
Mississippi Association of Personnel
Administrators – 2014 Annual Conference
October 1 – 3,
2014
80 / 200 State Tourism Office
Miss Nationwide Pageant, LLC – 2015 Miss
Nationwide Competition
June 13 – 17,
2015
400 / 95 CVENT
National Association of State Personnel
Executives – 2015 Annual Conference
July 17 – 22,
2015
150 / 320 CVENT
United States Deputy Warden’s Association
– 2014 Annual Conference
July 25 – August
1, 2014
150 / 321 Website
Air Force Sergeants Association – Regional
Annual Conference
April 23 – 27,
2014
100 / 320 Phone Call
Mettler Toledo, Inc. – National Sales
Meeting
February 16 –
20, 2014
175 / 361 Website
Carr Family Reunion – 2014 Reunion
June 27 – 29,
2014
40 / 120 Phone Call
Stinson Couch Family Reunion – 2015
Reunion
July 17 – 19,
2015
100 / 300 Phone Call
TOTALS 1,295 / 2,247
YTD TOTALS 39,917 / 69,227
Estimated Economic Impact: $971,250.00 (based upon $300.00 per person for an average of 2.5 nights)
Site Visits:
September 2013: 1 Fiscal YTD: 21
Name Tentative Dates # Attendees / # Room Nights
Mississippi Society of Association Executives – 2014
Mid Year Conference April 2014 100 / 210
Definite Bookings:
September 2013: 6 Fiscal YTD: 54
Name
Meeting Date # Attendees / # Room
Nights
Headquarter Hotel
Mississippi Society of Association
Executives – 2014 Mid Year
Conference April 29 –May 1, 2014 100 / 210 Bay St. Louis property
Free Spirit Vacations – Spotlight on
the Southeast Conference August 11 – 13, 2014 100 / 120 Biloxi property
Foodspotting Spots September To-Date Points September To-Date 73 0 40 2230 220 1,410 To-Date Increase is since February 2013
Youtube September 2013 Lifetime Views
1,266 54,275
Pinterest Boards September Pins September Follows September 15 1 348 61 314 84 Increase since February 2013 70 75 126
MEDIA RELATIONS: Articles April May June July August September FYTD Media Value $7,227.23 $1,169.00 $54,900.00 $21,528.10 $347.64 97,796.36 514,905.51 Identified 9 5 5 16 10 10 151
INQUIRIES: USA 800 Ad Sources
September 2013- 567 FYTD 59,838 Web 225 Oprah Magazine 14,743
Search Engine 85 America's Best Vacation 11,482
Another Web site 41 STS Fall Insert 7,214
Unknown 30 STS Spring Insert 6,674
Friend Referral 29 Web 4,304
Midwest Living 29 Fall Trvel Planner (Compass Mktg) 3,346
go-mississippi.com 21 Search Engine 2,729
Mississippi Travel Guide 20 Midwest Living 2,265
AAA Tour Book 11 Family Travel Insert 1,891
Southern Living 10 Another Web Site 751
USA 800 States September 2013- 557 FYTD 59,681 Texas 51 Texas 7,525
Mississippi 46 Florida 3,717
Illinois 42 Georgia 2,902
Louisiana 36 Illinois 2,864
Florida 30 North Carolina 2,670
Missouri 29 Louisiana 2,616
Alabama 24 Ohio 2,427
Indiana 22 New York 2,179
Minnesota 22 Missouri 2,101
Georgia 21 Tennessee 2,077
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GOOGLE ANALYTICS: VISITOR OVERVIEW – GULFCOAST.ORG
July September + / - Change FYTD 873,659
Visits 151,705 86,976 -64,729 1,235,538
Unique Visits 114,825 68,446 -46,376 873,569
Pageviews 620,138 302,332 -620,135 4,552,697
Pages per visit 4.09 3.48 - 3.68
Average Visit Duration 4:39 0:03:55 - 0:04:07
Bounce Rate 38.80% 42.18% + 42.71%
% of New Visits 67.60% 68.53% + 68.35%
OUTBOUND REFERRALS
September 2013 Link Report
August
Total Events
August
Unique
Events
September
Total
Events
September
Unique
Events
FYTD
Listings 21,800 9,326 16,887 7,001
Events 5,807 4,333 8,762 6,475
WTC 7,719 5,869 5,541 4,171
Request a Visitors Guide 2,860 2,248 2,187 1,705
Banners 856 734 651 554
outgoing links 673 494 450 342
Down 4,706 compared to August 2013
37,003 20,895 32,291 18,543
September 2013 Listings- 16,887 Total Referrals Unique Referrals FYTD - 247,467
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 779 713
Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel & Spa 679 585
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 496 456
Island View Casino Resort 476 426
Golden Nugget Biloxi 424 376
IP Casino Resort & Spa 403 374
Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel 346 301
Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi 336 317
Palace Casino Resort 334 296
Hollywood Casino 270 249
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Down 4,913 compared to August
2013
September 777 marketing partners received referrals versus 788 in August
FYTD 1,145 marketing partner referrals
September 2013 Events - 8,762 Total Referrals Unique Referrals FYTD - 110,452
32nd Annual Biloxi Seafood FestivaL 1,211 1,052
Professional Bull Riders - Battle at the Beau 874 612
4th Annual MS Songwriters Festival 827 593
7th Annual Feast Of Flavors – Taste The Town 651 447
18th Annual Volkslauf Mud Run 612 436
13th Annual Wavefest 465 231
Inaugural Hancock County Fair 244 212
Christmas at Beauvoir 189 125
31st Annual Chefs Of The Coast 350 263
Field Of Fright at Seward Farms Maze 153 104
Increased 2,955 compared to August 2013 September 371 events received referrals versus 372 in August