Minutes - 05/13/2021 - Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee勒 MINUTES OF THE MAY 13,2021 MEETING OF THE OAK BROOK
HOTEL,CONVENT10N AND VISITORS COMMITTEE OF THE
VILLAGE OF OAK BR00K UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AS
WRITTEN OR AMENDED ON SEPTEMBER 9,2021
CALL TO ORDER
The Zoom Meeting of the May 13,2021Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee called to order by Michael
Manzo at l0:05am
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Robert Brand, Hyatt Lodge; David Carlin, OB Chamber; Tim Geigis, Oakbrook Center; Lee Hoener,
The Drake; Dick Turner, LeMeridien, Kathy Dwyer, Marriott;
ABSENT: Iftikharu Abbasy, Village Resident; Melanie Bradshaw, Residence Inn; Brian Gilmore, Doubltree, Mort
Kouklan, Village Resident,
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Rick Ginex, Village Manager; Connie Reid, Executive Assistant; Trustee Suresh Reddy;
Trustee Michael Manzo; Beth Marchetti, DCVB; Rob Grusin, Point B, Stephanie Fallara, Point B, Tiffany Braun,
Kinship, John Novak, Point B
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 11, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve by Michael Manzo seconded by Suresh Reddy. All in favor, no one opposed. Meeting minutes
approved.
LINFINISHED BUSTNESS
Selection of a new Chairperson
Dick Turner nominated Lee Hoener, Trustee Manzo seconded. All in favor, no opposed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Lifting of Restrictions
Manager Ginex gives a quick update on the Governor's plan to lift restrictions in the coming weeks, with June I l,
2021 as the open date. Beth Marchetti gives more detail on the restrictions still in place and speaks of the need to get
vaccination information to be able to subtract those from event counts.
Point B Update
Rob Grusin gives a short presentation on the current marketing plan, stating that they are limited by the current
advertising budget. They are doing a lot of "free" advertising, via Facebook and other Social Media. Trustee Manzo
asks about billboards, Rob Grusin responds by saying that they are very limited in what they can do because of
money, but that billboards are something that they see as a value. Beth Marchetti shares that the Forest Preserves
saw double the amount of visitors during COVID, and believes that there is still a desire for outdoor, open spaces.
Dick Turner shares that they are seeing leisure travel from people coming from the south suburbs and the city, he
also sees a slight increase in corporate business. Rob shares their "Cabin Fever Reliever" video and goes on to share
analytics for the various avenues. Tiffany Braun from Kinship, goes through the various PR strategies that Kinship is
working on. She then asks the Hotel Properties to make sure they send her any highlights or special things they have
going on, and she will make sure they are getting the work out.
A discussion ensues regarding scheduling the next meetings.
DCVB Update
Beth Marchetti starts by giving a summary of the recovery committee that was stated by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, that
she has been part of, which includes representatives from various industries in the Chicagoland area. They have a
campaign call "the only thing missing is you". The #visit Chicagoland is up and running and will include suburban
properties as well as Chicago. She then shares the state campaign which is set to the REO Time for Me to Fly - it
will be Time for Me to Drive. Beth goes on to share that next week she will be going to the County on behalf of the
hotels to ask for money. She makes mention of the DCVB grant, and encourages the hotels to go to the DCVB
website and apply for the grant money. Beth is going to the county to ask for American Rescue Plan money to help
augment that grant money. They are going to tweak that grant to include more entities that were affected by the lack
of group travel. Beth goes on to share more about Cyclecross and Frida exhibit. And lastly goes through the various
bills being voted on in Springfield.
Before adjournment Trustee Manzo shares that he and the new Board members would like to get aggressive with
marketing and advertising and would like to "take on Chicago".
ADJOURNMENT
David Carlin thanks Rick Ginex for his years of service and the sentiments are echoed by all of the Committee
members.
Meeting adjoumed at I l:07am.
ATTEST:
Connie Reid
Executive Assistant
Village of Oak Brook