Minutes - 05/11/2017 - Hotel Convention and Visitors CommitteeOAK BROOK HOTEL COMMITTEE Minutes Page 1 of 3 Mtg. of May 11, 2017
MINUTES OF THE MAY 11, 2017 MEETING OF THE OAK BROOK
HOTEL, CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMITTEE OF THE
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON AUGUST 10,
2017
CALL TO ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the Oak Brook Hotel, Convention & Visitors Committee of the Village
of Oak Brook was held in the Upper Level Conference Room at the Butler Government Center
and called to order by Chairman Canfield at 10:02 a.m.
PRESENT: Norm Canfield, Paul Cardona, Kristin Duncan, Mort Kouklan, Dr. Abbasy, Steve
Mansmith and Valentina Tomov
ABSENT: Melanie Bradshaw, Chris Johnson, and Caryn Torres.
IN ATTENDANCE: Rick Ginex, Village Manager, Donna Bettin, Executive Assistant, Trustee
Saiyed, Village Trustee, Beth Marchetti, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Megan Martin and Nilesh Pardy, Hyatt Lodge, Neil Flanders, Rob Grusin, and
Jaclyn Blanchett, Point B Communications.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Kristen Duncan motioned to approve the October 13, 2016 Meeting. Seconded by Mort
Kouklan. Voice vote. Motioned carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Ratification of Release of Funds to the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau - 2016 Fourth
Quarter Hotel Tax Receipts - $27,394.16. Dr. Abbasy motioned to ratify the release of funds
to the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau in the amount of $27,394.16. Seconded by Mort
Kouklan. Voice Vote. Motion carried.
B. 2017 Marketing Plan Update – Rob Grusin explained a new type of program Point B will be
utilizing. They take information from the on-line travel agencies that they partner with, and
are able to identify people who are seeking accommodations. Within 11 seconds they can re-
target them to the Hotels of Oak Brook creative. This is a good way to redirect and plant a
new seed. Point B has had a lot of success with some indivudual hospitality clients so they
are exceited to try it with Oak Brook.
Rob did a quick review of the 2016 “Kids Free Weekend” and the different marketing
avenues that displayed positive feedback and will utilize the same markeing avenues for the
2017 summer campaign. He continued to explain how they came about this years theme for
the leisure campaign “Find Your Summer”. This is an all inclusive campaign for families,
couples, spas, and golf and will be out by early June. Discussion ensued.
Chairman Canfield discussed the success of the first quarter campaign and thanked Point B
for the good work they have done to-date. Discussion ensued regarding the current market in
Chicago and what that may mean for the suburbs and the Hotels of Oak Brook. Each General
Manager present spoke to their quarterly business patterns. First quarter seemed to very
strong across the Board.
Discussion ensued regarding the status of the McDonald’s property. Chairman Canfield
mentioned that the Hyatt Lodge is still open and taking reservations for functions through
2019. Manager Ginex reported that the Village met with representatives from McDonald’s
and Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). McDonalds would like to sell the property as one big piece
OAK BROOK HOTEL COMMITTEE Minutes Page 2 of 3 Mtg. of May 11, 2017
and JLL will begin to market the site on 22nd Street. Manager Ginex has received numerous
calls from developers and interested parties. The Village has not received any additional
information other than the 711 Jorie Building. McDonalds would like to keep one floor for
their employees and lease out the other floors.
DU PAGE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU UPDATE
Beth Marchetti reported on the following:
• This week is National Travel & Tourism week. It is an annual holiday issued by the US
Travel Association. There are approximately 22,000 people employed in the Hospitality
industry in DuPage County. DCVB is proud to say that they are a job creator and an
economic driver. County Board Chairman, Dan Cronin also issued a proclamation for
DuPage County travel tourism week. DCVB feels they have made strides to be a true
economic development partner with the County.
• Beth Marchetti and Kristin Duncan traveled to Springfield in March to attend the Illinois
Hotel and Lodging Association, the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Illinois
Council of Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Lobby Day. They testified in front of a
New Tourism Committee on the House side.
• Wednesday of next week Beth Marchetti will be testifying in front of the House
Appropriations Committee in hopes that they will release tourism dollars and some form
of stop gap budget. David Whitaker from Choose Chicago will be accompanying her.
She will speak to the suburban market and he will speak about the Chicago market. She
distributed a handout showing the comparisons between the suburban hotel stays
(49.37%) versus Chicago hotel stays (26.57%) and downstate Illinois hotel stays
(26.57%).
• Two big events they are trying to obtain in DuPage County. Hockey tournaments. A
contract has been signed for use of the ice in 2017 and 2018. More information will be
coming in the future.
• Bowling. The Women’s open Bowling Tournament is accepting bids for 2021. Looking
at 60,000 room nights. This will require a huge bid fee. Beth will be in contact with
everyone when the time arises. She will continue to advocate the State to get a budget
approved or come up with some funding.
• She distributed a Star report showing statistics comparing 2016 to 2017 of Hotel stays
throughout DuPage County for comparison. She will bring this comparison to every
meeting. Discussion ensued.
• Beth reported that DCVB lost approximately $22 million in market share last year due to
a couple of issues: the uncertainty of the State of Illinois, and the lack of funds to win
event bids.
OTHER BUSINESS
Manager Ginex reported the following information:
• SEIU “Fight For 15” will be held on the 23rd & 24th. On the 23rd, the group will be at the
Plaza Building. On the morning of the 24th, walking up Jorie Blvd.
• Rush Medical has broken ground
• Hyatt House hoping to open this September
• Michael Jordan’s Restaurant is planning to open in June
• Rock Sugar is going in by the Cheesecake Factory
• Recently swore-in Board members. Trustee John Baar was reelected and new members
Phil Cuevas and Moin Saiyed joined the Board.
Chairman Canfield welcomed back Village Trustee Saiyed and new Chamber Director, Valentina
OAK BROOK HOTEL COMMITTEE Minutes Page 3 of 3 Mtg. of May 11, 2017
Tomov to the Hotel Committee. Trustee Saiyed thanked Chairman Canfield and shared with the
Committee that he is looking forward to working as a partnership on the Committee and he is
always available to meet with them at any time. Valentina Tomov also thanked Chairman
Canfield and explained that the Chamber is looking forward to marketing the Hotels of Oak
Brook in any way possible. She is also working to bring groups to Oak Brook and will help in
any way she can. Discussion ensued.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Dr. Abbasy, seconded by Mort Kouklan to adjourn the meeting of the Hotel
Convention and Visitors Committee at 11:14 am.
ATTEST:
____________________________.
Donna L. Bettin DATE
Executive Assistant
Village of Oak Brook
Donna L. Bettin August 10, 2017