August 2017 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL
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The August 2017 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL. 97 NO. 8 PARTNERSHIP Kay Sackville Breuer PRESIDENT & CEO’S LETTER Vice President 319-208-0041 [email protected] Belinda Colwell Office Manager 319-208-0042 [email protected] Khayree Duckett Communications 319-208-0048 [email protected] Steve Frevert Downtown Partners, Inc. Exec. Dir. 319-208-0056 [email protected] Cindy Henry Customer Relations Specialist 319-208-0052 [email protected] The Changing Visitor Economy Jeremy Hess Dir. of Economic Development by Jason Hutcheson 319-208-0050 [email protected] We knew it would happen. Construction at Iowa Fertilizer Company would slow one day, and we would see a softening in the visitor expenditure market. Our economy benefited in countless Jason Hutcheson President & CEO ways from Iowa Fertilizer Company, and the extended timeline proved valuable to local businesses. 319-208-0043 Although there will always be maintenance crews in and out of the plant, the construction peak has jhutcheson@greaterburlingtoncom concluded. Sherri Krause Area hotels are feeling the effects. You probably are as well. Chief Financial Officer 319-208-0044 The Convention & Visitors Bureau subscribes to a data service which tracks both occupancy and [email protected] average daily rate on a monthly basis. It is one of the quickest, most accurate methods by which we Brenda Levitt measure visitor activity. Visitor traffic effects not just the revenue of hotels, but also gas stations, Graphic Designer restaurants, retail, and other local establishments. 319-208-0047 [email protected] For the month of May, hotel occupancy was down 24%, and YTD, occupancy fell 17% year over year. In 2017, the average revenue collected per hotel room was $48.68 per day – down about 14% from this Rachel Lindeen Event Coordinator time last year. Although those numbers are discouraging, they are not surprising. We all expected this. 319-208-0046 The story doesn’t have to end there. As you are well aware, a group has been working diligently to [email protected] create competitive space for weekend sports tournaments during the winter months. The success of the RecPlex can be replicated (albeit on a slightly smaller scale) all year round - helping to support this Chelsea Tolle Convention & Visitors Bureau economic impact built in part by visitor traffic. Exec. Dir. 319-208-0045 [email protected] The current plans call for two facilities. One would showcase courts used in basketball, volleyball, and other court-related sports. In addition, a second facility will contain turf - enough for five soccer fields which can be used by a number of additional turf-related sports. On a conservative basis, these buildings should sell about 8,000 – 9,000 hotel room nights per year, and of course, the visitor spending in all kinds of categories along with it. It is no small task, as the price tag of this effort is $10 million. The hotel industry has stepped upina major way financially to make this happen, but it will take broad community support to pull this off. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Price is $24, which is included in annual events fees. Non-members: $3 per issue. If you would like to learn more about this project, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d be happy to Periodicals postage paid at Burlington, Iowa. arrange for a personal visit to answer all of your questions. We can do this. Our economy depends POSTMASTER: The Partnership is published monthly by the Greater Burlington Partnership 610 North on it! Fourth Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Iowa 52601. POSTMASTER send address changes to Greater Burlington Partnership (USPS 001-692) 610 North Fourth Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Iowa 52601 page 2 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 om ON THE COVER Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic Committee c For the past 18 years, a small but mighty group of dedicated volunteers has made the Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic a Pictured on the cover are volunteers Patty Moad, Farmers & Merchants Bank Downtown Partners’ Farmers Market Steering Committee has & Trust; Trish Staub, Alliant Energy Burlington Generating Station; Kristin itshuge hands success. full running Annually, the the most committee successful begins event of making its kind plans in the in PicturedRowley, left EBS to and right Lynn Egan,bottom Record to Securities.top: Jerry Johnson, Additional Capitol committee Theater; region.the spring, With securing the support donations of Two for Rivers golfer Bank goodie & Trust bags and and door the Doreenmember Roy, not Gypsi, pictured Red is Screen Jennifer Door; Rowley, Wilma Great RiverHemphill, Health S Systems. & W Farm; leadershipprizes. They of new put market new ideas manager in place Jerry for Johnson, the events theduring Jefferson the day, Morgan Hoenig, Mogo Organic, Des Moines County Extension; Liz Ross, The volunteers for the Golf Classic have changed slightly, but St.such Farmers as the Market chipping is and poised putting to build contests, on the andsuccess they of handlast year’s write TwoRiversBank&Trust movethank from you notes the riverfront. to the numerous The steering sponsors. committee They alsosets vendor work the there are a few familiar faces that have given of their time and rates,registration plans special table and themes contest and holes events, and schedules help with entertainment, set up and tear Nottalents pictured: for severalSusan years. Gerst, Kristin Gerst Family Rowley Gardens; has been Lynda working on anddown. helps Without with the the logistics volunteers, of presenting it would abe large difficult event to put all of Graham-Murray,the committee Dietitiansince the Magician second Nutrition; event. Kristin Kathy Schneidercan handle any onthe a plans weekly in basis. place. question from her years of experience. Patty Moad and Jennifer Rowley began on the committee back in 2006, Trish Staub joined The Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic began in 2000 with in 2011, and our newest member is Lynn Egan, who began in 2014. the idea of a fun filled day where members could invite clients or The group has worked together for so many years, they all know reward employees for an afternoon of golf. The golf course has their duties, have a wealth of knowledge and offer fantastic insight long been seen as the place where deals are made and contracts for the event. are secured. #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 3 WE ARE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS LIKE YOU! Fireball Run is all about telling the story of our community, and our businesses are what makes this place special. By sponsoring this event, your business has the chance to help share the story of Greater Burlington. Volunteers with the Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau are currently in the process of reaching out to businesses about sponsorship opportunities. Feel free to contact Chelsea Tolle if you are interested in partnering but have not yet been contacted. Sponsorship opportunities are available at GreaterBurlington.com/FireballRun. COMMUNITY EVENT FUNDING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Each year the Greater Burlington Convention & Since 2008, the program has awarded over $240,000 in grants to attract new visitors to the area, enhance visitor experiences, Visitors Bureau sets aside a portion of the budget to support and strengthen quality of life for Greater Burlington residents. local events bringing visitors to Greater Burlington. If you or someone you know hosts a local event, we invite you to The 2018 Community Event Funding applications will submit an application. Events must submit a new application become available August 21 with a due date of October 2. each year to be considered for funding. The application is available at GreaterBurlington.com or by contacting Chelsea Tolle. 2018 Community Guide Events There is still time to submit your events to The guide is shipped all across the United States and a few be included in the 2018 Burlington/West Burlington other countries, too. You never know who might come to your Community Guide. Be sure to include the event date, time, event because they read about it in the guide. location, contact information, and a brief description. Use To be included in the 2018 Community Guide, submit your this free marketing opportunity to promote your event by August 15 at GreaterBurlington.com. community event! Marketing Options Galore! The Greater Burlington Partnership offers a wide A complete guide of options will be mailed to all variety of marketing options for your business members in mid-August, allowing you to take a to take advantage of, including sponsorships and look at what works best for your business and your advertising. Options include marketing to area overall marketing plan. Once you have made your business leaders or to the community, depending decision, contact Kay Sackville Breuer. on your preference. page 4 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 Honoring Area Manufacturing Help us honor Des Moines County manufacturers with the 2017 Manufacturer of the Year Award. Nominations are being accepted at Greater Burlington.com through September 1. This year’s Manufacturer Appreciation Luncheon will be held on October 6 at Comfort Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Presented by: #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 5 DPI Puts 300 Washington on the Market With a new roof keeping it dry for the first time in decades, the month we had a massive volunteer clean out day to get rid of former Typewriter Shop at 300 Washington is ready for its story the decades of accumulated debris,” said DPI Executive Director to continue. Assisted by a Main Street Challenge Grant for the Steve Frevert. “It made a huge difference.” Aided by additional roof, a Historical Resource Development Program emergency Challenge Grant funds, Klingner & Associates has produced grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa to repair measured floor plans, useful for redevelopment.