HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-47 - Levying an Annual Assessment for FY 2002-2003 for Business Improvement AreaRESOLUTION NO.�q-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, LEVYING AN ANNUAL
ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003 FOR A
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA UPON CERTAIN
COSTA MESA HOTELS AND MOTELS.
A. WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in adopting the Parking and
Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (Streets & Highways Code Sections
36500 et seq.), found that cities are authorized to levy assessments on businesses
in order to promote economic revitalization and tourism, to create jobs, attract new
businesses and prevent the erosion of business districts; and
B. WHEREAS, on July 5, 1995, by Ordinance No. 95-9, the City Council
adopted a business improvement area, now known as the Costa Mesa Tourism &
Promotion Business Improvement Area ("BIA"), the purpose of which is to promote
tourism to the City of Costa Mesa and to fund programs and activities that benefit
the hotel and motel businesses within the City; and
C. WHEREAS, the City Council has continued the special assessment for
the BIA each year since its inception that has been levied upon the seven hotel and
motel businesses listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by
this reference; and
D. WHEREAS, in January, 2000, the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor
Bureau requested, and the City Council approved, raising the assessment from one
percent (1 %) to two percent (2%), which is based on the sale of overnight room
stays; and
E. WHEREAS, on May 6, 2002, the City Council adopted Resolution
No.02-32, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AN ANNUAL
ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003 FOR A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
, AREA COVERING CERTAIN COSTA MESA HOTEL'S AND MOTELS AND SETTING
THE TIME AND PLACE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL"; and
F. WHEREAS, at its meeting on May 6, 2002, the City Council of the
City of Costa Mesa approved the 2002 Annual Report for the BIA prepared by the
Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau submitted on May 6, 2002, and such
report, attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by this reference,
was reconsidered at the public hearing at which this Resolution was adopted; and
G. WHEREAS, on June 17, 2002, in the Council Chambers of City Hall,
77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California, a public hearing Was held concerning the
annual assessment for the BIA and no protests of the proposed assessment were
filed or presented;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Costa Mesa as follows:
1) An assessment for the Costa Mesa Tourism & Promotion Business
Improvement Area is hereby established for fiscal year 2002=2003 pursuant to
Streets & Highways Code Sections 36500 et seq. The boundaries of the BIA
are the boundaries of the City of Costa Mesa and only the seven motels and
hotels listed in Exhibit A shall be subject to this assessment.
2) The amount of the annual assessment on the businesses shall be
computed using the following formula: two percent (2%) of the gross revenue
from the sale of hotel overnight guest room stays. New hotel and, motel
businesses commenced after the effective date of this Resolution will be
exempt from the levy, pursuant to Streets & Highways Code Section 36531 and
Section 36535.
3) ,The business owners shall pay the assessment to the Costa Mesa City
Finance Department on a monthly basis.
4) The method and basis of levying the assessment to allow each business
owner to estimate the amount of the assessment to be levied against his or her
business is set forth in Exhibit B.
5) The types of activities to be funded by this assessment are specified in
the Annual Report in Exhibit B which is hereby confirmed as originally filed.
6) Each business owner (hotel/motel) shall separate the BIA assessment
from the Transient Occupancy Tax on their guest billing statements. The
specific term "Business Improvement Assessment" shall be included on the
billing to identify the assessment amount.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa,
California, by this Resolution, does hereby levy the assessment for fiscal year
2002-2003 on the owners -of the seven businesses within the Costa Mesa Tourism
& Promotion Business Improvement Area.
PASSED ,AND ADOPTED this 17th day of Jun , 200
/v
Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
Depbty City Cferk of th7y of Costa: sa
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
APPROVED AS TO FORM
CITY ATTORNEY
I, RUTH DELANEY, Acting Deputy City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City
Council of the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and
foregoing Resolution No.was duly and regularly passed and adopted by
the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 17th day of June, 2002.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of
the City of Costa Mesa this 18th day of June, 2002.
Deputy City C rk and ex- . icio Cler f
the City Council of the of Costa Mesa
EXHIBIT B
Exhibit B consists of the annual report submitted by the Costa Mesa
Conference & Visitor Bureau; also referenced in the staff report as
Attachment B.
EXHIBIT "B"
Costa. Mesa
The Best Of Southem CaVomia.
2002-2003
Annual
Report
& Visitor Bureau May 6, 2002 acting as
Costa Mesa Tourism and Promotion BIA
Msta Mesa
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May 6, 2002
City of Costa Mesa
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, California 92627-6520
Dear Council Members:
In accordance with the provisions of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) we submit
for your approval the Annual Report of the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau
(CMCVB),,now in its seventh year of operation. The Costa Mesa CVB. was established
to increase awareness of Costa Mesa as a visitor destination with the goal of increasing
awareness, hotel occupancy, travel spending, -tax revenues and further contributing -to
the growth of the local economy.
This past year the Costa Mesa CVB expanded its scope and influence. The Bureau
"team" includes the seven hotel General Managers, four employees managing the day
to -day operations, the creation of marketing materials and sales efforts. Pittman &
Associates implements public relations and the 2001 advertising placement. Beginning
January 2002 Marshall Advertising has created and implements the new advertising
campaign. Lamas Accounting manages the financial details. The seven General
Managers in conjunction with Councilwoman Linda Dixon and Allan Roeder, City
Manager have met regularly, without compensation, to further the image and economic
development of Costa Mesa as a destination.
The required contents of the Annual Report as detailed in Section 36533 of the Streets
and Highway code. The format is as follows:
1. Proposed changes in the boundaries of the Business Improvement Area or
in any benefit zones within the area.
The Advisory Board recommends that the entire city continue to be included in
the benefit zone. Further, the Advisory Board recommends that the number of
properties included in the boundaries remain the same. If additional properties
wish to participate, they are invited to attend meetings the year before
Pagel of 10
f.nera Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau • P.O. Box 5071. Costa Mesa, California Q26?..R_;07i
assessment, be in good standing with the City of Costa Mesa and meet certain
AAA quality standards.
2. The improvements and activities to be provided for the Fiscal Year.
The Advisory Board recommends that the 2% assessment levy on the sale of
hotel overnight guest room stays continue to be used to fund tourism activities
for the hotels.
During the seventh year, the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau focused on
generating leisure and group business for the hotels. The Bureau has accomplished
the following projects and programs:
Marketing Materials
The marketing "package" includes a destination brochure, rack card (English,
Spanish & Portuguese), hotel and dining brochures, Quarterly Calendar of
Events and CD Rom. Distribution: travel writers, hotels, the City of Costa Mesa,
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, inquiries and meetings booked in the
hotels.
"Gift From Us To You"
The "Gift From Us To You" includes 24 special restaurant, arts and retail offers
that reinforce the many amenities in Costa Mesa, provide additional value to the
guest and also generates additional business for the certificate participants at no
cost to them. Distribution: hotel guests.
Promotional Items
Key to the City, "From Goat -Hill to City of the Arts: The History of Costa Mesa' by
Robert Wilson, polo shirt; paper cube, candies, 10 Year Calendar and tote on the
rope. Distribution: hotels sales departments, guests, VIPs and the City of Costa
Mesa.
Web Site (www.costamesa-ca.com)
The web site address is included on all advertising and marketing materials. The
site is updated monthly as needed with "Hot Dates Hot Rates", Quarterly
Calendar of events and special hotel packages. ,
3.5 million hits and average visits weekdays 12,897
211,000 page views
United States visits 86.4%
International visits 2.86% ( Top three visits from Canada, United Kingdom
and Japan)
#1 page visited: Hospitality/Meeting and Facilities
#2 page visited Events
Page 2 of 10
Telephone/Business Reply Inquiries
The 800# Hotline -Answer Network received more than 3500 inquiries. Fulfillment
is done in-house.
Business Reply Inquiries (July 2001 - March 2002):
Over 68 group meeting inquiries were received from advertising in Meetings in
the West magazine and were contacted by the CVB and the hotels.
Inquiries received from magazine and newspaper advertising:
California:
Southern: 3300
Central: 756
North: 1379
Arizona: 756
Nevada: 1379
United States: 11,347
The top 8 states (5018) include: New York, Pennsylvania, Florida,
' Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Texas and Washington.
International: 784
The top four countries include: Argentina, Australia, United
Kingdom and Canada.
Over 100 e-mail inquiries were received and gradually continue to increase.
All inquiries from California, Arizona and Nevada are input into a database that
enables the hotels and the Bureau to. implement direct mail promotions to
targeted audiences.
Advertising
During Fiscal Year 2001/2002 the Bureau implemented an aggressive print and
radio advertising campaign with more than over 27 million exposures. The
campaign continues to position Costa Mesa as "The Best Of Southern
California," reinforcing a highly desirable location offering a variety of amenities
includes each hotel and reservation number and a call to action.
Target markets: Los Angeles, Phoenix/Tucson, Palm Springs and San
Francisco.
Due to the events on September 11, the Bureau implemented a print and public
relations campaign targeting the "drive-in" leisure travel and corporate meetings
in Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego and Los Angeles.
Page 3 of 10
Consumer/General Magazines
Sunset Travel & Leisure (March 2002 - 3,264 inquiries)
Las Vegas Life Los Angeles Magazine
Palm Springs Life Food & Wine (April 2002 - 224 inquiries)
Trade Publications (In house ad insertions saved over $20,211 annually in
commissions.)
Anaheim/Orange County Visitors Guide (receive inquiries)
World Travel Guide (Europe)
2001 California Visitors Guide (January - March 2002 - 444 inquiries)
Anaheim Meeting & Convention Planning Guide Meetings West
Successful Meetings
Meetings & Conventions
The Meeting Professional
Western Association News
Meeting in the West (receive leads for meetings)
HSMAI Affordable Meetings Sourcebook
La Cumbre Directory ,
Meeting Planners International Directory (Orange County & Northern
California)
National Business Travel Association Convention Resource Guide
National Business Travel Association California edition
Business Journals
Orange County Business Journal
Los Angeles Business Journal
San Diego Business Journal
Riverside Business Journal
Newspapers
Los Angeles Times Travel Section (February 2002 - 161 inquiries)
Orange County Register
San Francisco Chronicle
Arizona Republic
Phoenix Republic
Fresno, Sacramento & Modesto Bees
Bakersfield California
San Bernardino News
Tucson Star Citizen
Los Angeles Newspaper Group (L.A. Daily News, Long Beach Press
Telegram, Pasadena Star -News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier
Daily News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Redland Daily Facts & San
Bernardino Sun)
Page 4 of 10
Other Media
California Department of Tourism website
Radio stations in southern and central California
Public Relations
Press releases and media kits sent to more than 200 travel and business
media, in addition to domestic and international travel writers at POW
WOW, La Cumbre, Society of America Travel Writers with press releases
in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Target Marketing/Advertising
De -stress for Less (January -March 2002)
The Bureau'offered a rate driven promotion and advertised in the Los
Angeles Times Sunday Travel Section.
Room nights generated: 209
Room Revenue generated: $17,491.00
"Beat the Heat Promotion". (May -September)
The "Beat the Heat" summer campaign targeted. travelers from Phoenix,
Tucson, Palm Springs, and southern and central California via airline and
travel magazines, Sunday newspaper travel sections and radio.
Room nights generated: 549
Room Revenue Generated: $50,891.00
UPG Sports
The Costa Mesa CVB continued sponsoring (two year commitment) UPG
Sports Tournaments held at venues in Irvine and Costa Mesa from May
through July 2001. All CVB hotels offer special UPG rates and room
blocks over this time period.
Room nights generated: 1037
Room Revenue generated: $80,027.00
Costa Mesa/Orange County Classic Jazz Festival
Costa Mesa CVB sponsored the Second Annual Jazz Festival.
Room nights generated: 1751
Room Revenue generated: $159,176.00
August -September 30 Direct Mail
Sent 20,000 direct mail pieces to previous inquiries and American
Express gold card holders.
Rooms nights generated: 250
Room Revenue generated: $24,722.00
Page 5 of 10
"Shop. Like the Dickens" Holiday Promotion (November -January)
This traditional holiday promotion encouraged overnight stays and
increased holiday shopping. The promotion included "the Gift From Us To
You" and a special room rate.
Room nights generated: 157
Room Revenue generated: $12,613.00
Trade Shows
Attended La Cumbre, Miami; and POW WOW in Orlando exposed to over 973
national and international tour operators with 38 specifically interested in
California and Orange County.
Partnerships f
The Costa Mesa CVB partnered with five other CVBs via the Orange County
Tourism Consortium. The Consortium was allocated $750,000 per year for three
years by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to create and implement an
advertising campaign that markets the Orange County destination. In 2001 the
consortium parlayed the $750,000 in editorial plus community partners
advertising with a total value of $2.3 million. This maximized Costa Mesa's
exposure and saved the CVB over $39,000 in advertising dollars.
Partnerships have been strengthened with Newport Beach and Huntington
Beach Convention & Visitor Bureaus.
Community Outreach
A quarterly fax newsletter is sent to retailers, restaurants and arts groups
providing information on programs and promotions targeting the visitor market.
Marketing Committee
The sales and marketing directors, Orange County Performing Arts Center,
South Coast Repertory, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa Fair & Exposition
Center and Metro Pointe meet bi-monthly. This committee oversees the
development of short and long-term strategic marketing, advertising programs,
special promotions, events and packages.
Hotel Niche Marketing
Each of the seven hotels are allocated quarterly marketing dollars based on their
total number of guest rooms. These funds enable each hotel to do some niche
marketing. They must include the Costa Mesa CVB logo, justify that the
advertising or direct mail increases room business and include a sample ad or
direct mail piece or flyer.
Page 6 of 10
3. An Estimate of the cost of providing the activities for the fiscal year. The
estimated amount of the assessment to be levied against the businesses
for the fiscal year surplus or deficit carried from the previous fiscal year.
The Advisory Board has prepared the following Financial Summary detailing the actual
revenues and expenses for 2001/02 and proposed fiscal year 20021/03.
Revenues Projected YR7 Actual YR7 Projected YR8
2001/2002 2001/2002 2002/2003
Surplus Revenue
carried forward from $ 190,000.00
YR6
July
$
84,100.00
$
100,010.00
$
100,000.00
August
$
110,000.00
$
100,157.00
$
100,000.00
September
$
86,000.00
$
57,795.00
$
86,000.00
October
$
120,000.00
$
85,733.00
$
120,000.00
November
$
86,300.00
$
85,543.00
$
86,000.00
December
$
68,80 0.00
$
59,226.00
$
65,000.00
January
$
75,377.00
$
69,309.00
$
74,000.00
February
$
101,400.00
$
74,237.00
$
86,000.00
March
$
99,200.00
$
88,129.00
$
88,000.00
April
$
70,000.00
$
89,014.00
$
88,000.00
May
$
84, 000.00
$
88,141.00
$
88, 000.00
June
$
74,000.00
$
87,745.00
$
87,000.00
Total Revenue
(Revenues do not
$
1,816,077.00
$
985,039.00
$
1,070,000.00
include interest.)
Revenues for 2001/2002 were projected to remain the same as the previous
year and were decreased due to September 11 and the economy.
Revenues for 2002/2003 are projected to remain flat but may increase late
2002/2003 should the economy continue to improve and there are no major
events.
Note: Actual YR7 March - June are projected revenues.
Page 7 of 10
Budget Expense Projections for fiscal 2002/2003
(See attached Marketing Plan for details)
Expenses
Projected YR8
Advertising Campaign
$374,374.00
Media Relations & Fam Tours
$37,200.00
Brochures/Promotional items
$75,500.00
Trade Shows
$28,150.00
Administration/General
$299,800.00
Special Promotions
$154,700.00
Contingency Fund
$36,000.00
Total Expenses
$1,005,724.00
Projected Surplus
$70,965
Advertising Campaign
The 2002/2003 advertising campaign continues to aggressively generate
rooms business for weekends, summer ("Beat the Heat" campaign) and
holidays (Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, and "Shop Like The
Dickens" campaign) reinforcing Costa Mesa as a leisure travel destination
as well as a corporate meeting destination. This expense includes design,
production, buying space in print media and radio.
Estimated Expense $374,374.00
Media Relations & Familiarization Trips
We will continue to develop awareness and reinforce the Costa Mesa
destination through press releases to regional and national publications,
familiarization trips for travel press, meeting planners and group tour
operators.
Estimated Expense $37,200.00
Marketing Materials
Brochures, rack cards, calendar of events, CD Rom, Internet site and
other marketing materials distributed at the Sate of California Welcome
Centers and John Wayne Airport, inquiries, travel agents, tour operators,
conference attendees, trade shows and meeting planners.
Page 8 of 10
Estimated Expense $75,500.00
Promotional Items
Paper Cubes, polo shirts, playing cards, beach bag and beach towel are
available to further promote the Costa Mesa destination.
Estimated Expense $10,900.00
Trade Shows/Conventions
The Costa Mesa CVB will attend several trade shows focusing on
international tour operators, corporate meeting planners and travel
managers.
Estimated Expense $28,150.00
Administrative & General Expenses
Answer Network will continue to answer the 800#. This category includes
employee expenses, accounting fees, postage, insurance, city collection
fee, database maintenance, state assessment, audit and bond costs and
administrative expenses.
Estimated Expenses $299,800.00
Special Promotions/Sponsorships
Specialpromotions include "A Gift from Us to You," expenses associated
with attracting UPG Sports Groups, Orange County Tourism Service
Awards,' 2002 California Police & Fire Games, Jazz Festival and Theatre
Zingaro in addition to dollars allocated for each hotel's niche marketing
needs.
Also included is the City Council Program with $10,000 allocated for
special programs initiated by the city council that promote the city and has
the potential to generate Rooms business.
Establish two hospitality scholarships of $2,000.00 each offered to
Estancia and Costa Mesa High Schools for college bound students.
Estimated Expenses $154,696.00
Contingency Fund
$3000 per month for 36 months will be allocated for the Contingency Fund
to provide funds for any unexpected expenses or a decrease in revenues.
Estimated Annual Expense $36,000.00
4. The Method and basis of levying the assessment.
An annual two percent -(2%) assessment is to be levied on each of the seven
hotels included in the city's Business Improvement Area. The two percent (2%)
assessment is based on the sale of overnight room stays and shall be
Page 9 of 10
transmitted to the City pursuant to the Professional Services Agreement entered
into by and between the City and the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau.
5. No sources of contributions other than the assessment are expected this fiscal
year.
The Advisory Board supports and enthusiastically works as a team toward the success
of the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau. Advisory members Linda Dixon and
Allan Roader continue to contribute their ideas and perspectives to the overall
marketing efforts. We appreciate the opportunity provided by the Costa Mesa City
Council to continue the support of the Costa Mesa CVB.
Resp c -ully
J ann eneral Manager, Hilton Costa Mesa
President, Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau
Page 10 of 10
Costa Niesa
The Best Of Southem California.
Marketing
Plan
200212003
Costs Mesa 1
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COSTA MESA Conference & Visitor Bureau
2002/2003 MARKETING PLAN
Mission Statement
The Costa Mea Conference & Visitor Bureau (CMCVB) markets Costa Mesa as a leisure and
group/meeting travel destination, thereby increasing awareness, hotel occupancy, travel
spending, and tax revenues, and sustaining and expanding travel/tourism related
employment further contributing to the growth of the local economy.
1
Funding is provided through the Business Improvement Area with seven (7) hotels assessing a
2% levy on the sale of hotel overnight guest room stays. The Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor
Bureau (CMCVB) consists of seven (7) hotels and (2) representatives from the City of Costa
Mesa.
Obiectives
1.) To distinguish Costa Mesa as a preferred world-class destination.
2.) To increase the number of leisure and corporate travelers and group
business to Costa Mesa during weekends, summer months and holidays.
3.) To increase national and international awareness among wholesale and
receptive tour operators, group and meeting business.
4.) To work cooperatively with Anaheim, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach
CVBs and the Orange County Tourism Council increasing convention/group
overflow business and expanding advertising and media opportunities.
Page 1 of 11
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Primary Target Markets:
Meeting/group business (Social, Military, Education, Religious, Fraternal), state
associations and leisure travel originating from major feeder markets. Southern and
central California ( Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Bakersfield and Fresno), San
Francisco/San Jose, San Diego and Phoenix/Tucson/Scottsdale.
I
Secondary Target Markets:
Domestic and international travelers via wholesale and receptive tour operators.
Strategy
To increase awareness and rooms business using direct sales efforts via telephone,
sales calls and trade shows, print and radio advertising, direct mail, and public relations.
Objective # 1
To increase visibility and awareness of Costa Mesa as a preferred destination.
Marketing Package (Letterhead, presentation folder, 6 brochures & CD ROM)
Costa Mesa The Best Of Southern California destination brochure.
Rack Card, a condensed version of the destination brochure. (Japanese, Spanish
& Portuguese.) Distributed at five California Welcome Centers.
Hotel Brochure Distributed at John Wayne Airport and mailed to all inquiries.
Dining Brochure
Visual and Performing Arts brochure highlighting the Arts in Costa Mesa and
incorporating a walking tour.
CD ROM (Y 185 mgbytes) incorporates all of the above in addition to electronic
request for proposal for meeting planners and interactive reservations procedure.
Page 2 of 11
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Meeting Facility Guide is included on the CD Rom and the web -site providing
comprehensive information about each hotel's meeting space capabilities and
alternative meeting venues in Costa Mesa such as OCPAC, SCR, Fairgrounds,
area colleges etc.
Quarterly Calendar of events distributed to hotels, City of Costa Mesa, travel
writers, press, tour operators and local corporations. Quantity: 10,000.
Quarterly Fax Newsletter to area retailers and restaurants increasing awareness
of tourism marketing programs.
"Gift From Us To You," a gift package that includes 24 gift certificates offering
special retail and dinning offers. Quantity: 20,000.
South Coast Metro Residential Program includes "Metro Family & Friends" rates.
Four-color postcard utilizing several images with the theme "Costa Mesa. The
Best of Southern California."
Direct mail campaign targeting Orange County corporations, tour operators,
meeting planners and potential attendees of future trade shows.
Promotional Items: key to the city, "From Goat Hill to the City of the Arts: A
History of Costa Mesa" by Robert Wilson, polo shirt, paper cube, tote on a rope,
beach towel, canvas bag, playing cards, mini portable radio & 10 year calendar.
Sponsorships
Explore sponsorship opportunities that have the potential to generate business and
community and public relations, i.e., UPG Sports, Orange County Tourism Council,
Page 3 of 11
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Costa Mesa
Thr &•tir t)f 5nulhrm California
Service Excellence Awards, 2002 Police & Fire Summer Games, Jazz Festival and
Theater Zingaro.
Data -Base Development & Maintenance
Maintain and add to databases that include individual, wholesale and.receptive
international and domestic tour operators, corporate and association meeting planners.
800 # Answer Network
Answer Network will continue to answer the 800# providing information and directly
connecting callers to hotel reservations departments.
Electronic Marketing/Web Site
Continue to evaluate the Web Site ensuring ease of navigation and down loading time,
making it more "interactive" encouraging "action to be taken."
Link to hotels, California Travel & Tourism Commission, Orange County*TourismCouncil,
Anaheim Visitor and Convention Bureau and other related sites.
Explore tourism, entertainment, weather and dining related web -sites for
advertising/public relations opportunities.
Explore banner ads targeting corporate travel agencies via Sabre and Global Distribution
Systems.
Advertising
The 2002 advertising campaign highlights Costa Mesa as the. amenity and culturally rich "home
base" in Southern California offering cosmopolitan vitality, easy access to beaches, attractions
such as Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm & Legoland encouraging
"action to be taken" generating leads and room nights.
Page 4 of 11
Costa Mesa
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Working with Mutual Advantage converting empty guest rooms on Friday/Saturday/Sunday at
rack rate into radio spots reaching the southern and central California and Arizona markets
reinforcing the print campaign. (June -September $286,400)
Maintain advertising partnerships with Orange County Tourism Council, Anaheim Visitor &
Convention Bureau Co-op Program and State of California.
Research domestic & international visitor guides for public relations & advertising opportunities.
Public Relations
Update Media Kit. Send to travel writers, business writers, restaurant & food and wine
writers.
Identify editorial calendars and due dates with select media.
Send press releases monthly. (Los Angeles Times, The Register, Daily Pilot, Coast
Magazine, Orange Coast, Orange County Business Journal, and OC Metro.) Send press
releases to Anaheim CVB quarterly calendar.
Create a list of 6-8 stories and pitch to In-flight magazines, Westways, Mature Outlook,
Travel Digest, Travel Agent, Travel & Leisure, Leisure Travel News, Sunset, Conde
Naste, Travel Weekly, Meetings West, Successful Meetings, and all publications where
advertising space has been purchased.
Explore radio and television opportunities such as CNN Travel Report, Bay Area Back
Roads (KCOP cable), and Media One (Channel 3).
Work in conjunction with Anaheim CVB Public Relations targeting Society of American
Travel Writers, convention journalists, travel trades and international press.
Page 5 of 11
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Community Relations
Partner with:
Memberships
• City of Costa Mesa to develop fiscal impact of tourism and work on
mutually beneficial projects, i.e. Costa Mesa 501h Anniversary.
• South Coast Plaza, Metro Pointe at South Coast, Orange County
Performing Arts Center, Eclectic Orange Festival and South Coast
Repertory (Playwrights Festival), and the Orange County Fairgrounds.
• The Orange County Tourism Council
• Continue building strategic alliances with California Travel & Tourism
Commission, Anaheim, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach Visitor
Bureaus.
Travel Industry Association (TIA)
California Travel Industry Association (CALTIA)
Meeting Planners International (MPI)
Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
Orange County Tourism Council
Anaheim CVB
Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau (WACVB) `
National Tour Association (NTA)
American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA)
Page 6 of 11
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National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners(NCBMP)
American Bus Association (ABA)
California Society of Association Executives (CSAE)
Trade Shows
Attend trade shows a'nd meetings in Southern Califdrnia targeting leisure travel and
meeting planners.
National Tour Association November 8-13, Los Angeles
HSMAI Quest December 11-13, 2002 Monterrey
Religious Conference Management Association February 2003
California Travel Mart February 2003
California Conference on Tourism March 2003
POW WOW May 17-21, 2003 St. Louis
Affordable Meetings June 2003 San Jose
Fam Tours
Invite specific tour operators, travel and business writers and Answer Network to
"experience" Costa Mesa hotels and amenities throughout the year.
Participate with Anaheim CVB in providing guest rooms and/or hosting food & beverage
functions for national and international writers and tour operators.
Obiective #2
To increase occupancy in leisure travel weekends, summer months and holidays. (Spring
Break, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving/Christmas Holidays.)
De -stress for Less (January -March)
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Target Audience: Southern and central California
Proposed Strategy: Rate driven Advertise special hotel rates.
Proposed Media: Los Angeles Times, Travel Section and web -site
Spring Break (April 12-27) ,
Target Audience: Southern and Central California and Arizona
Proposed Strategy: Advertise special hotel rates.
Proposed Media: Los Angeles Times, Travel Section, web -site and supplemented by
radio.
Weekend and Summer Business
Target Audience: Residents of southern, central & northern California, Arizona &
Nevada who are within driving distance or two hour flight to John
Wayne/Orange County -Airport.
Tour operators (international and domestic).
Proposed Strategy: Offer special holiday hotel packages and weekend/summer rates.
Proposed Media:
Magazine: Sunset, Western Region, Travel & Leisure, Los Angeles Magazine, and
Westways.
Newspaper: Los Angeles Times, Travel Section, Tucson Star -Citizen, Phoenix
Republic, Fresno Bee, Bakersfield California, San Bernardino Sun, Las
Vegas Review Journal and San Francisco Chronicle Magazine.
Guides: California Visitors Guide and Anaheim 2000 Official Visitors Guide.
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Radio/TV: , Implement radio campaign utilizing Mutual Advantage (barter program)
penetrating southern and central California, Palm Springs,
Phoenix/Tucson/Scottsdale and Nevada markets.
"Beat the Heat" Summer Promotion (June to September)
Target Audience: Residents within 3-4 hours driving distance or a two-hour flight from
Costa Mesa who reside in southern and central California,
Phoenix/Scottsdale, Las Vegas and Palm Springs.
Proposed Strategy: Through print advertising supplemented by radio spots, "Beat the
Heat" promotes Costa Mesa as the "cool" place to visit, highlighting the central location,
shopping, dining, and amenities with close proximity to the beach, Pageant of the Masters,
Orange County Fair and Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure/Knotts Berry Farm.
Newspaper advertising promotes each hotel and its respective summer rates/packages.
Proposed Media: City newspapers and Travel Section(listed above), Direct Mail, web -site
and Broadcast media using barter program.
Holiday Business "Shop Like the Dickens" (November through January)
Target Audience: Residents in Southern California, San Francisco, and Palm Springs.
Proposed Strategy: Advertise late -October, advertising and public relations promoting
the traditional "Shop Like The Dickens" Holiday Package with a "Gift From Us to You".
gift certificate package.
Proposed Media: Los Angeles Magazine, Sunset, and Los Angeles Times Travel Section
and web -site.
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Hotel Marketing Programs
Each hotel is allocated $50 per room for specific marketing purposes. All advertising must
include the Costa Mesa CVB logo and must generate rooms' business. All invoices will be
paid from the Costa Mesa CVB account. Based on 2038 rooms at $50 per room, a total
of $101,900 is available. (Budgeted quarterly July/October/January/May)
Objective #3
To increase occupancy from wholesale and receptive tour operators (domestic and international),
SMERF group business, state associations (weekends, summer and holidays), Rose Bowl and
Super Bowl (San Diego).
Increase awareness in SMERF (Social, Military, Education, Religious and Fraternal)
and state associations.
Develop database and qualify SMERF contacts and hotel needs in southern
and central California, San Francisco/San Jose, Phoenix/Tucson and Sacramento.
Target alumni associations, athletic departments, fraternities/sororities, youth
groups and church organizations.
Proposed Marketing Strategy: Telemarketing, personal sales calls, ABA and NTA trade
shows and direct mail.
Increase exposure and inclusion in national and international Group/FIT.
Proposed Strategy: Participate in events hosted by Anaheim CVB: Receptive
Operator Lunch January; 2003, POW WOW. Personal sales calls to Los Angles
tour operators.
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Holiday (New Year)
Target Audience: Collegiate Top 25 Alumni Associations and Athletic Departments and
tour operators specializing in Rose Bowl tours.
Proposed Strategy: Working in conjunction with Newport Beach and Huntington Beach
Conference & Visitor Bureaus.
Submitted by Diane Pritchett May 6, 2002.
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