Minutes - 09/10/2020 - Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee
CALL TO ORDER
The Zoom Meeting of the September 10, 2020 Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee called to order by Norm
Canfield at 10:05am
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Norm Canfield, Hyatt Lodge; David Carlin, OB Chamber; Kathy Dwyer, Marriott; Mort Kouklan,
Village Resident; Lee Hoener, Drake Oak Brook, Nicole Patterson, Hyatt House; Dick Turner, LeMeridien
ABSENT: Iftikharu Abbasy, Village Resident; Melanie Bradshaw, Residence Inn; Time Geiges, Oak Brook Center;
Neville Campbell, Doubletree.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Rick Ginex, Village Manager; Connie Reid, Executive Assistant; Jason Paprocki,
Finance Director; Trustee Moin Saiyed; Beth Marchetti, DCVB; Rob Grusin, Point B; John Novak, Point B;
Stephanie Fallara, Point B; Tiffany Braun, Kinship; Angela Tormey, The Drake.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. June 11, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
Mort Kouklan motion to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2020 Special Meeting, Seconded by Dick
Turner. Voice Vote. Motion Carried
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Ratification of Release of Funds to the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau – 2020 Second
Quarter Hotel Tax Receipts - $8,516.72
After Beth gives a brief overview of the dire need for fuds for the DCVB, the committee has a general
consensus to release the funds.
2021 BUDGET DISCUSSION
A. Budget Projections & Discussion Items
Jason Paprocki starts the budget discussion by asking for feedback from the properties on how they are
doing their budgeting for next year. Norm Canfield states that group and meeting business are non-
existent. Transient and weekend business are the main source of income as of late. Norm believes that
the fourth quarter and first quarter next year will still be slow, and dependent on a vaccine as to when
things can go back to normal. They are hoping that 2nd quarter 2021 they will start to see a climb in
revenue. Dick Turner concurs with Norm’s summation. He’s thinking that 4th quarter 2021 they will
see business travel pick up to close to normal. The sales they are seeing now are leisure, people
coming from Chicago to get away, family events etc. Lee Hoerner from the Drake agrees that 2nd
quarter 2021 they hope to see a little improvement but nothing close to normal until the 4th quarter.
The discussion shifts to pricing and the direction some properties are taking to lower prices. Nicole
Patterson at Hyatt House reiterates that leisure and weekend stays are getting strong but they are in the
same situation as the other properties. Kathy Dwyer states that 2nd quarter is what they are hoping for
to see any kind of increase in sales. Jason Paprocki will use these comments to help forecast and
prepare the Village Budget. Beth Marchetti will send out reports on state wide sales. A discussion
begins regarding government restrictions and how that effects hotel stays, restaurants and groups. Rick
Ginex shares that there has been discussion at the board level regarding a reduction in the advertising
MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 MEETING OF THE OAK BROOK
HOTEL, CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMITTEE OF THE VILLAGE OF
OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021
budget and possible combining the 1% and 2% breakdown of hotel tax.
B. Marketing Budget Options
Rob Grusin from Point B begins his presentation. He shares the summer campaign. Point B created a
video from footage already shot, allowing for a cost saving (Cabin Fever Reliever). Rob shares slides
of the billboards around the area and answer questions regarding a board that the committee feels
should be moved because no one really sees it. He shared that the Billboard Company gave three
weeks of added value. He quickly goes through the leisure results, stating that the reception was quite
significant. Tiffany Braun, from Kinship takes over and gives a quick overview of where they were
marketing. She covers their current pitches, regarding safety, businesses supporting their communities,
taking a wellness break from quarantine and so forth. Targeting regional staycations. Tiffany showed
the strategies for 4th quarter, going into Holiday opportunities. She touches upon the strategy for when
the vaccine is announced.
C. 2021 Budget Recommendations
Rob begins a small presentation of where money will be spent in the near future. He covers the
upcoming media. He asks the questions of whether money should be reallocated from group travel to
holiday and leisure travel or should they reserve the funds. A conversation ensues regarding budget
money and what is being allocated to, it’s agreed that leisure and transient is the way to go. Point B to
provide the Village with the actual numbers and a new proposal for budget savings through the end of
the year if they cut out group travel marketing and reallocate or hold for the remainder of the year.
Point B will wait on doing a marketing proposal for 2021 until they hear from the Village Board on
how to proceed.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook – Management Company Conversion
Norm Canfield announces the changes at the Hyatt, JPD has decided to make a change in managing
companies. They will be using Davidson Hotels starting October 7th, 2021. There has not been a
decision as to what the name of the hotel will be. Norm will be retiring.
Beth Marchetti, DCVB, shared that she was asked by Mayor Lightfoot to participate on a Chicago
Tourism Recovery Committee, specifically targeting group business.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:56.am.
ATTEST:
___________________________________________ ________________________________
Connie Reid Date:
Executive Assistant
Village of Oak Brook