10/12/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all e councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19507). VIII. EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU QUARTERLY REPORT City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced Ed Smith, Director of the Parks, Recreation and Cul tura 1 Services Department. Mr. Smith said the City's contract with the Eugene/Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau requires a quarterly report to the council. He said a reporting format for statistics of bureau activity is being developed. In addition, the council will receive an evaluation in January or February of the Lane County Tourism Plan and its effect on the Cityls plans. Mr. Smith introduced Scott Lieuallen, Executive Vice President of the bureau. Mr. Lieuallen said Transient Room Taxes increased 4.8 percent in FY86/87 and July and August 1987 Transient Room Taxes are ten percent more than last year. He discussed several events held in Eugene this summer amd said the community benefited from Expo 186 return traffic. He said the community will host about 90,000 meeting delegates in 1987. That is an average annual growth of nine percent since 1982. Discussing bureau convention activities, Mr. Lieuallen said the bureau often assists local people in promoting attendance and publicizing meetings to be held here. He said the World Wide Church of God Assembly brings 35,000 e delegates here for eight days. He compared the benefits of that meeting to other meetings that last only two or three days. He said bids for conventions usually must be submitted several years before a convention is held. Discussing visitor activities, Mr. Lieuallen said bureau activities and Lane County Tourism Plan activities will complement each other and the area can become a valid vacation destination. For example, the number of visitors this July, August, and September increased 72 percent over last summer and an Italian travel magazine recently published an article about Oregon. Discussing bureau finances, Mr. Lieuallen said the number of bureau members is increasing but the increase in business has necessitated the hiring of several additional interns. He said the bureau staff is developing a Five-Year Plan for the community's visitor industry. During the process of developing the plan, the community must decide if it wants to become an amateur sports center. Mayor Obie said the bureau's activities have had a positive impact on the community. He said Hayward Field at the University of Oregon would not have been renovated without Mr. Lieuallenls efforts. Mayor Obie said the bureau's activities produce jobs in the community. Responding to a question from Mayor Obie, Linda Weston, Director of Sales for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she has worked with the Oregon Track - MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 12, 1987 Page 6