Minutes - 09/09/2021 - Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee
CALL TO ORDER
The September 9, 2021 meeting of the Hotel, Convention and Visitors Committee was called to
order in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler Government Center at 10:00am by
Committee Chairperson Lee Hoener.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Iftikharu Abbasy; Melanie Bradshaw, Residence Inn; Robert Brand, Hyatt Lodge;
Kathy Dwyer, Marriott; Tim Geiges, Oakbrook Center; Lee Hoener, The Drake and Via Phone
David Carlin, Oak Brook Chamber
ABSENT: Nicole Patterson, Hyatt House; Brian Gilmore, Doubletree; Dick Turner, LeMeridien
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Connie Reid, Executive Assistant; Jason Paprocki, Finance
Director; Michael Manzo, Village Trustee; Beth Marchetti, DCVB; Rob Grusin, Point B;
Stephanie Fallara, Point B
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the May 13, 2021 minutes made by Lee Hoener, seconded by Melanie
Bradshaw. All in favor, no one opposed. Minutes approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ratification of Release of Funds to the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
2021 First Quarter 25% of 1% of Hotel Tax Receipts - $6,762.73
2021 Second Quarter 25% of 1% of Hotel Tax Receipts - $13,287.88
Motion to approve the ratification of release of first and second quarter 2021 funds to the DCVB
made by Iftikharu Abbasy, seconded by Lee Hoener. Voice vote. Motion carried.
2022 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Rob Grusin starts by giving a recap of where advertising dollars have been spent and states that
they have been running the same campaign for three years. They will need to shoot video again
and update photos. Trustee Manzo asks about trends in marketing and predictions going forward.
Rob Grusin gives a short synopsis of the current travel culture, saying that leisure has been
strong but business and group bookings are way down. He goes on to say that things started
looking up, but then Delta hit and the industry took two steps backwards. Mr. Grusin goes on to
say that input from the properties is crucial. He continues by saying that there are opportunities
that have arisen by COVID, such as people wanting to do things outdoors and be in open spaces
MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 MEETING OF
THE OAK BROOK HOTEL, CONVENTION AND
VISITORS COMMITTEE OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK
BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON OCTOBER 14, 2021
which Oak Brook has taken advantage of. Staycations have been very popular. Oak Brook is
benefiting from the perceived safety issues of going into Chicago and are drawing market share
from them. Beth Marchetti adds that marketing platforms need to have the ability to change very
quickly, she also says that there is a trend for sports, not just soccer and baseball but for non-
main stream sports, such as pickleball and gay soccer. She goes on to say that groups are looking
to fly into O’Hare but don’t necessarily want to stay downtown. Ms. Marchetti believes this is a
great opportunity for Oak Brook to capitalize on these groups. Conversation shifts to unions in
Chicago versus no unions in Oak Brook, giving groups the potential to save money and how to
market a safer alternative than the city without directly saying that. The conversation shifts to
wedding and private party bookings and the desire of some of the properties to put some
marketing dollars in that area.
Lee Hoener begins a conversation regarding security at the hotels, he states that the Drake is
paying for private security. He and asks if hotel tax dollars can be used for additional police
shifts. He would like to see one dedicated officer to work a shift on Friday and Saturday nights to
monitor the hotels. Mr. Hoener would like to see the officer make rounds through the parking lot,
come into the hotels, speak to the front desk and do a walk through on the floors. He believes
that actual police officers would be more of a deterrent than a security guard. Beth Marchetti said
that she would be willing to go to bat with the county, for the hotels and get them $50,000 grants
to pay for extra security. Ms. Marchetti stresses that she needs a commitment from the hotels that
they would apply for that grant before she puts herself out there. She does let them know that
they will have to show their books. Mike Manzo gives a little history saying that the Village did
have, what they thought was going to be, a dedicated officer for the hotels, it was wound up that
the officer was not just for the hotels but was being paid through the hotel tax fund, it became a
little polluted so the board decided to do away with it. Trustee Manzo says that the Board would
be on board with having a dedicated police officer patrol the hotels and would like to be more
proactive. Conversation ensues regarding security, policies and what the hotels would like. The
conversation shifts to finding employees and the reasons why employees are not returning to the
hospitality field.
Beth Marchetti starts her update by saying that the Frida exhibit is wrapping up. It brought over
100,000 people to the area and they are now working on getting an Andy Warhol exhibit. She
goes on to talk about grants that are available. The DCVB is working on bringing sporting events
to the area that will need soccer fields. Ms. Marchetti then touches on the Cyclecross at Cantigny
and State Swim Championships at the Natatorium which will bring visitors to the area and
hopefully fill some beds. She goes on to say that there is a new law allowing non-home rule
communities the ability to use 25% of their hotel tax fund dollars on other projects as long as
they support the state certified convention and visitors bureau in their area. Conversations
continue regarding the potential for government funds, sporting event opportunities, new
development in Oak Brook and the fact that business travel hasn’t bounced back yet. Trustee
Manzo wants to aggressively attack Chicago to grab their share of the market. Rob Grusin adds
that there are tactful ways to do that without alienating anyone.
Trustee Manzo asks the hotel managers that are present what they are looking for in the way of
security. After a lengthy conversation the consensus is that they would like a police presence
starting at 9:00pm on Friday through the weekend, especially during the very late night hours
when they have walk-ins, and during events. They would like an officer to make rounds in the
parking lot and in the lobby and speak to the check-in desk workers to be made aware of possible
problem rooms.
2022 Budget Recommendations
Jason Paprocki switches the conversation to budgeting. He conveys that the Hotel Fund is not as
robust as it has been in past years. He would like to budget a little conservatively because of the
uncertainty and thinks $200,000 to $225,000 would be a comfortable number for marketing. Rob
Grusin shares that his marketing plan would include platforms that can be easily pulled back or
ramped up dependent on the circumstances so that the budget could be more easily controlled.
He then asks the hotel managers for some feedback via email as to where they want the dollars
go.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Lee Hoener seconded by Mike Manzo, no objections. Meeting
adjourned at 11:05am.
ATTEST:
__________________________________ ________________________________
Connie Reid Date:
Executive Assistant
Village of Oak Brook