August 6, 2008
Marketing Committee
Holiday Inn Express, Ukiah, Ca

The meeting was called to order by Jan Rodriguez at 10:10 am. Present were Cally Dym, Jan Rodriguez, Scott Schneider (ED), Arline Bloom, Jitu Ishwar, Pam Amante, Josie Perla, Louis Bohannan (guest). Phone: Kevin Gallagher, Jeff Stanford

Minutes to be approved –Richard motions to approve. Pam seconds. Motion passes.

Chairman’s Report:
• Jan reported on the Willits Museum’s “Day at the Races” fundraiser and passed out pledge forms. This fundraiser is for the Country’s first “green rural hospital”.
Administration Report:
• Marketing Project Update – project is on schedule. Email update was sent to the Committee.
• Search Engine Marketing campaign launched July 21st. Email update was sent to the Committee.
• Seattle travel show – Richard going – we should check with MCPA if they can pay his way. If not, MCLA will pay for flights only. This subject to be on next marketing agenda.
• SF CVB Marketing Seminar – Louis reported – seminar focused on web-based promotion. Web 3.0 called “Dataweb” and will involve more direct interaction with the internet user. Email confirmations will be more & more important.
• Mendocino County was featured on the “Today Show”.
• Press Democrat featured the story, “Mendocino the new Napa” on its front page.
• Associate membership category to be further explored with the development of a subcommittee to further work out the details. Motion to be made at Board meeting.

Old Business:
• Welcome Center Partnership - Richard requests $3,000 per month for the Center. Jeff motions we fund the Welcome Center up to $3,000 per month to commence upon approval by the State of California. Pam seconds. Motion Passes.
• Wildfire banners update – Tabled to Board Meeting
• “Cool Mendocino” – The concept is still under development with Hype House working on it. We want people to consider “cool” to be not only temperature, but attitude.
New Business:
• Partnership Requests:
o Mendocino Coast Clinics – Tawny McMillan requests $1,000 to advertise the Crab & Wine Days, specifically the “save the date” postcards as well as the “Datebook” section of the SF Chronicle. Cally motions to give the $1,000 based on the postcard having the dates for the entire festival, the “M” and get 6 comp tickets to the event. Pam seconds. Motion Passes.
o Art Center Ukiah – Tabled to Board Meeting
• Presentation from Rachel Cost – Feels Mendocino County is a great sellable market and we should focus on selling the experience. Get well-known artists, bloggers, etc up here and give them a great authentic experience to write about. Focus on PR. Do not advertise in national magazines, but focus more on Bay Area and Sacramento. We need to get the story out there.
• Hype House Contract – Tabled to Board Meeting

Privilege of the Floor:
• None

Cally made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:30pm. Josie seconds the motion. Motion Passes.