Wiarton BIA May 2, 2018 Municipal Council Chambers Minutes

Transcription

1 Wiarton BIA May 2, 2018 Municipal Council Chambers Minutes 1. Call to Order Chair Turner called the meeting to order. Time 6:00 pm 2. Attendance and Regrets Voting Members in Attendance Melanie Hepburn, Wendy Chen, Jim Turner (Chair), Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland, Matt Shaw, David Nusko (Deputy Chair) (arrived later in the meeting) Non-Voting Recording Secretary Angie Cathrae (Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk) Non-Voting Staff Resource Persons Karmen Krueger (Manager of Financial Services/Treasurer) Regrets Councillor Matt Jackson 3. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None were noted at this point. 4. Public Notice/General Announcements 5. Adoption of Minutes - April 4, 2018 R It was Moved by J. Kirkland, Seconded by W. Chen and Carried That the Wiarton BIA minutes from April 4, 2018 be adopted as circulated. 6. Delegations 1

2 7. Summer Advertising Melanie Hepburn indicated that there is a summer guide for Wiarton and Sauble Beach prepared by Tourist Town. She wondered about taking a spread in the Sauble summer guide. The cost would be $400 or $600. They will design the ad for the BIA. The first print is 5,500 guides and they may print more. Members discussed the budget line for advertising and how it was allocated to radio advertising. This could be looked at for next year in the budget. A member discussed RT07 funding and advertising. Members discussed different types of advertising, tourist markets and in which Tourist Town summer guide the Wiarton advertising could occur. It was agreed that further discussion on this item would be deferred until after the Chamber Update. 8. Chamber Update On a show of hands with the majority being received, this item was moved forward in the agenda. Jessica Berg indicated that she understands that the Sauble summer guide is for Sauble advertising. She also indicated that the deadline was April 30. A member of the Board explained that she had received information from Tourist Town regarding advertising but that waiting for Council approval of a budget amendment may be too far away. Jessica Berg indicated that a digital campaign may be something to look into through RT07. Visitors are looking for an experience. We are trying to slow people down and ask them to stop here. She explained selfie stations and other ideas which could help build tourism. RT07 likes these types of partnerships. Jessica Berg explained that they are working on the Home Show. She explained the displays, vendors and educational stage. The Chamber is getting new memberships including a First Nations artist group. There are new businesses moving in downtown including Sweetwater Hairstylist who has moved from her home to Berford Street. Jessica Berg indicated that she has brainstormed on fall promotions. She explained possible dates including August 25 and 26 or the second weekend in September. This could be a Back to School Carnival. The parkette space would be used. She explained Mad Science demonstrations and the costs. She explained getting partners and sponsorships from local business. She explained Little Ray s Reptile shows and the costs. Revel I Real Estate could be approached as a back up location in case of rain. Joe Vanderzand indicated that

3 i if it pertains to children, the Legion hall is free. Jessica Berg explained a company in Owen Sound which makes videos which can be used for promotion. This would be getting people downtown and then the merchants have to figure out how to participate and draw people into their store. A sidewalk sale could happen at the same time. Another idea is a Fall Fair Celebration for a week before the Fall Fair. There could be a fall leaf and coupon savings leaf promotion at each store. If merchants don t want to give money, there could be BIA dollars used. A member discussed the fall leaf bus tours which are mostly seniors. This could be something which is tapped into. There could be a ballot program where people could win a prize. There could be a street dance or a Saturday family fun day. We have to watch that we are not slighting the Fall Fair. There could be displays in the local businesses of Wiarton Fall Fair history. It could be a historical walk through Town. There could be multiple larger dollar amount prizes. A member indicated that the Ag Society would be contacting the BIA about organizing a parade. Joe Vanderzand explained road closures. Jessica Berg explained all the items which need to be considered for a parade. The benefit would be getting bands in a parade in the fall. Another promotion could be to bump up the Shop the Neighbourhood campaign. The campaign could be expanded. There could be a ladies afternoon out, shopping experiences with savings coupon and vouchers. There could be a promotion including spending and getting BIA bucks. There could be a men s shopping event. Gift packages could be pre-arranged and offered for sale. Re-usable shopping totes could be given away and we could have balloons placed around Town. Ms. Berg explained that these are four potential campaigns to begin the conversation. A sub-committee or the assistance of the membership will be required in order to get local businesses excited. Participation from the local businesses is required. Members discussed fall promotion, growth in the fall, the great ideas presented by Jessica Berg, ramping up sales after the summer, shopping local, focusing on the shoulder season, increased events, advertising, what local stores have to offer, the Chinese New Year event in Owen Sound, the budget allocation of $5,000 and the importance of promoting the area in accordance with the BIA mandate in the Municipal Act. David Nusko arrived at the meeting. Time 7:06 pm Jessica Berg explained having people stay in the downtown for an extended period of time and how that would relate to the interactive shows. She doesn t believe that Mad Science and Little Ray s could both be undertaken in one year. She explained other promotions which could be part of the promotion which wouldn t cost money but would provide information for the public. Advertising and sales promotion could go for a couple of weeks but the actual event could happen on one day of a weekend. Joe Vanderzand explained involving the businesses and having vendors in their businesses. 3

4 \ R It was Moved by M. Hepburn, Seconded by M. Shaw and Carried That the Wiarton BIA Board of Management agrees to the Back to School Carnival ( Little Ray s Reptiles as primary) and promotion, as presented by the Wiarton Chamber on May 2, 2018; And further that the Wiarton Chamber of Commerce provides more information regarding available dates and costs. Jessica Berg indicated that a director of the Chamber has retired. Steve Holler has left the Chamber board. I A member discussed the Sunday Fun Day and wondered about people going to the Park and not coming uptown. The member asked what could happen to get people to come uptown. Jessica Berg explained the Wiarton Sunday Fun Day and Producers market. She feels that it would be wise for the BIA to do some type of campaign. There are multi level marketers but they don t want them in their event. There would be opportunity to have those people in the parkette. A member discussed having businesses wanting to do something. Jessica Berg explained that this could mean promotion of a special piece of merchandise or something special on Sundays. It was wondered if the BIA could do sidewalk sales on Sundays. A member discussed food trucks. Break 7:26 pm Reconvene 7:31 pm 9. Summer Advertising Discussion included the location for the billboard advertising, the tourist market and bus tours. R It was Moved by D. Nusko, Seconded by W. Chen and Carried j That the Wiarton BIA Board of Management agrees to billboard advertising along Highway 10 near Orangeville with an alternative area of Highway 21 near Grand Bend or Bayfield. The Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk explained previous radio advertising. Members discussed tapping into the Chinese tourism market, radio advertising in Toronto, bus tours and bus loading and parking locations in Wiarton.

5 : Action item...quotes will be obtained from various radio stations including 680 am and 1430 am Action item...seek direction from Public Works and By-Law Enforcement regarding by-law provisions for bus parking in Owen Sound Action item...consider Tourist Town summer guide advertising in the 2019 BIA budget ($600) Chair Turner left the table and Deputy Chair Nusko assumed the Chair. Time 7:67 pm 10. Developments/New Businesses Members discussed the Chiropodist in the back of the hardware store and Sweetwater Hairstylist as new businesses. It was noted that Bluebird is vacant. 11. Budget Update Noted. Chair Turner returned to the table bud did not resume the chair.time 8:00 pm 12. Items to Add to Upcoming Agenda 13. Correspondence 14. Matters of Urgency 15. Public Meeting i 16. Reports from Committee Members or Local Board Members Wendy Chen indicated that there is a lot of information from the OBIAA conference. Members discussed selfie-stations and posting items to Facebook and Instag ram. They discussed marketing Wiarton Willie to tourists. Ms. Chen 5

6 : explained what she learned at the conference and other meetings attended including that we already have a landmark and we should make more events and stick to the roots and history. She explained getting the community involved and how tourists will be promoters. She indicated that shopping malls will disappear and the European shopping experience will be more prominent. She explained digital advertising and letting the businesses promote themselves. She also explained giving people an experience at a business and taking pictures. 17. Upcoming Meetings June 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers. i 18. Unfinished Business-BIA By-Law and Boundary Changes No discussion at this time. Chair Turner assumed the chair. Time 8:12 pm 19. Unfinished Business-Survey to Membership Regarding Business An additional 8 surveys were presented to the secretary before the meeting. The secretary will be given time to integrate the new surveys received into the results presentation. 20. Unfinished Business-Unnamed Promotion/Event Discussed with Chamber during the Chamber Update. 21. Unfinished Business-Home Show Booth \ The Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk described the booth with members discussing providing business cards/brochures from the BIA membership for the booth. The booth in future years could include a promotion or draw and could be expanded. There is no money in the 2018 budget for the booth; a budget allocation could be considered for Closed Session Not required. 23. Adjournment R It was Moved by J. Kirkland, Seconded by M. Shaw and Carried

7 That the meeting adjourn. ( r-ghair x. / /) ^U^^S&retarv.