11/25/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. Mr. Radcliffe stated that the last section of the report deals with the number of walk-ins served. Approximately 10,000 out-of-state visitors have been served at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Eugene-Springfield Convention and , Visitors Bureau, which is up 75 to 100 per cent from last year. This is the . best year since 1978. They've been extremely pleased with responses from the clientele. An additional salesperson has been added to the staff. This is positive economic news, and they have just begun. They have received prelim- inary information that the League of Oregon Cities will hold their annual convention here in 1982. Mr. Gleason noted that it is ironic that the community, through efforts of the government, has provided over 250 jobs. The media exposure regarding the Hilton infers that the process has been a mistake and he feels that is unfortun- ate. It is the myopic perception by people and the media which makes the economic development job twice as hard. Over 20,000 days in the Hilton are booked already, and that will payoff. Staff is working toward destination- point development. Mayor Keller stated that the League of Oregon Cities annual convention will be held here next year after the negotiations have been finished. Delegates are looking forward to coming to Eugene and now other cities will have to compete for this business. Also, the room rates will be the same as they were in 1981. Ms. Smith stated that, as Chair of the Room Tax Committee, she thinks Mr. Radcliffe's report highlights additional funding for destination-point develop- ment. She hopes this report will reinforce the importance of funding the Convention Bureau and she would like to see this funding increased. Ms. Schue added that it was not just that these people will stay in hotels and that Eugene people will be employed. Those people will be eating in restaurants and buying . retail goods, as well as being involved in sporting events. This is economic development for Eugene, and it has a real future. Ms. Miller stated that this is the effort that is generating money and jobs now. She would like for the cit1Zens of Eugene to think about that and to convey a positive attitude to those visiting our city. If citizens will be friendly and have good interactions, people will come back. Mayor Keller noted agreement. Mr. Radcliffe noted appreciation for the support. This has been a good 18 months, and he hopes this can continue to generate new customers. Mr. Lindberg asked if notices could be put in the paper when the various conventions would occur. Mayor Keller stated that they could. V. 1981 LEGISLATIVE SESSIO~--REPORT FROM WOMEN'S COMMISSION (memo distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Julie Aspinwall-Lamberts, President of the Eugene Commis- sion on the Rights of Women. Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts stated that this is the first in a series of reports of issues and activities from the Women's Commission to the City Council. During this past year, one of the primary projects of the Women's Commission has been to monitor and lobby on behalf of bills affecting the rights of women before the Oregon Legislature. To accomplish this project, the legislative task force has met weekly throughout the session to discuss bills, take positions on them, and to develop testimony or letters supporting or opposing bills. Prior to taking . MINUTfS--Eugene City Council November 25, 1981 Page 4