Minutes - 02/08/2024 - Hotel Convention and Visitors Committee
HOTEL, CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMITTEE
Upper-Level Conference Room
Butler Government Center
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 8, 2024
10:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The February 8, 2024 meeting of the Hotel, Convention and Visitors Committee was called to
order in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler Government Center at 10:05am by
Chairman Dick Turner. Those present went around the table and introduced themselves.
ROLL CALL
Present: Iftikharu Abbasy; Cynthia Ivey, Residence Inn; Adam Henrickson, Hyatt Lodge; Erik
Millan and Sherry Peters, Marriott; Carlos Moctezuma and Jill Hare, The Drake; Nicole
Patterson, Hyatt House; Dick Turner, LeMeridien, David Carlin, Greater Oak Brook Chamber
of Commerce
Absent: Tim Geiges, Oakbrook Center Mall; Tarique Junejo; Julie Byrne, Doubletree;
In Attendance: Joe Mitchell and Connie Reid, Village of Oak Brook; Noonie Aguilar, DCVB;
Trustees Michael Manzo and Ed Tiesenga and President Larry Herman, Village of Oak
Brook;
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. November 30, 2023, Meeting Minutes
Adam Henrickson moved to approve the November 30, 2023 minutes, it was seconded by
Iftikharu Abbasy, all in favor, no one opposed. Minutes approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
B. Ratification of a Recommendation to Release Funds to the DuPage
Convention and Visitors Bureau 2023 Fourth Quarter, 25% of 1% of Hotel
Tax Receipts - $35,388.29
Iftikharu Abbasy moved to ratify the recommendation to release funds to DCVB, seconded by
Adam Henrickson, all in favor. No one opposed.
MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2024
MEETING OF THE OAK BROOK HOTEL,
CONVENTION AND VISITORS
COMMITTEE OF THE VILLAGE OF
OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN
ON MAY 9, 2024
ACTIVE BUSINESS
C. TZO Progress and Contingency Plans
AVM Mitchell gave a summary of the lack of progress made by Time Zone One, he
highlighted the many missed deadlines and deficiencies in the product presented. Further, he
spoke of the inattentiveness of the TZO staff and many excuses for not having projects
completed. Mr. Mitchell confirms that any assets that TZO created are the property of the
Village of Oak Brook. Conversation continued regarding the pros and cons of continuing with
TZO and possibly the need to go in a different direction. Chairman Turner opens the discussion
into the many avenues for spending the hotel tax advertising budget. Conversation ensues as
the committee debated hiring an in-house marketing manager, the logistics of the individual
aspects of an advertising campaign, the need to allocate funds to contracted experts to cover all
facets of the marketing plan and the experience level and skills that are needed for a successful
campaign. Jill Hare asks if the option to redistribute the advertising funds back to the hotels is
still an option, Mr. Turner answers that it is not and that there could be a legal challenge and he
believes that a grant program would be a much better use of the money. The committee spoke
of the need for the marketing plan to include the specific needs of the seven very different
hotels. Chairman Turner suggests a team made up of sales and marketing managers from the
hotels to help guide the hiring process and consult on the contracted needs of each hotel and
craft a budget to fit. He then asks for two motions, one for a consensus on hiring a Marketing
Manager and the other to form an oversight committee to build a budget. Adam Henrickson
seconds both motions and there is a consensus for both. Dick Turner nominates Sherry Peters,
Noonie Aguilar, Jill Hare, Brook Delucio, Joe Mitchell, and Katie Davis for the sub-
committee.
Chairman Turner asks for clarification on the next steps regarding TZO. AVM Mitchell
answered that he would be contacting them to release any assets and asking for a refund of
unused media spend money.
Chairman Turner gave a short overview of the financials provided by Finance Director
Fumero.
Noonie Aguilar from DCVB shares a copy of the star report with the committee and briefly
reviews its content. Conversation ensues regarding regional competitors and comparisons.
Noonie touches upon the DCVB/VOB grant program that’s available to Oak Brook hotels and
the positive impact it has on room bookings. Noonie shares an update on the President’s Cup
sales opportunities. She invites the hotel sales staff and the new Marketing Manager to join the
DCVB at the Trade Shows.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Adam Henrickson seconded by Iftikharu Abbasy, no objections.
Meeting adjourned at 11:05am.
ATTEST:
______________________________________ ______________________
Connie Reid Date:
Executive Assistant
Village of Oak Brook