HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.17.24 Board Minutes
Q.2 (OCT -DEC) BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Location: PMCCC – In Person
Date: 12.17.2024
Time: 12:00 PM CST
Facilitator: Mark Whitlow (Chair), Michelle Campbell (Executive Director)
Attendees:
*Mark Whitlow
*Bill Bartleman *John Williams *Michelle Campbell
*Ryan Gardner *Darryl Pea *Jo Brown
*Alex Sherwood
Agenda Topics:
Presenter: Mark Whitlow
Discussion: Called meeting to order.
Mark made motion to approve the minuets.
Conclusion: (1) Bill Bartleman (2) Chris Hill – Unanimously Approved
Presenter: Michelle Campbell
Discussions: Directors Report
The Director's Report was presented next, highlighting a busy few month. Notably, US Hospitality has signed a
contract with Marriott to develop a new Marriott Aloft hotel with 120 rooms adjacent to the convention center.
While this addition is welcomed, it falls short of the desired 300-320 rooms recommended by a recent
consultant report. The investment for this project is approximately $15 million, and the hotel will be similar in
size to the existing one. The Director reached out to the manager for more information and potential
collaboration.
In terms of recent events, October featured the Darren Night comedy event, which marked the first use of
Ticketmaster for ticket sales, resulting in 450 tickets sold. November saw a Baptist concert that attracted around
3,500 attendees, requiring additional chairs and logistical support. December was particularly busy, with
multiple events serving about 1,700 people in one day, including a plated lunch that necessitated extensive
staffing.
Looking ahead, plans are in place for a paranormal seminar in May, expected to draw significant interest
citywide. Additionally, there are aspirations for a comedy series and a weightlifting competition. The marketing
team has recently hired a part-time coordinator who is enhancing social media efforts and website traffic.
Operationally, updates to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are underway during this downtime, alongside
building inspections to assess maintenance needs. The search for a new executive chef is ongoing, with job
postings on LinkedIn and Indeed. Currently, there are 6-7 full-time staff members and approximately 50 total
employees when including part-time staff.
Presenter: Ryan Gardner
Discussion: Treasurer Report
Ryan presented the Treasurer's Report indicated strong financial performance for October, with total income
reaching $218,000—nearly triple the budgeted amount—primarily driven by catering sales of $168,603 against
a budget of $47,715. Although expenses exceeded budget expectations due to personnel and food/beverage
costs, the net income for October stood at $86,000. The bank balance as of October 31 was reported at
$348,999.52 in the Paducah Bank operating account.
The board discussed potential improvements, including the installation of a digital marquee sign. However, it
was noted that there were some challenges related to city ordinances. Specifically, there were concerns about
the refresh rate of the sign being too quick for the curve in the road where it would be placed, potentially
causing a distraction for drivers. The city has detailed data on traffic patterns around the proposed location,
including the number of cars and their average speed. The board also explored the need for improved
transportation options for larger events and conventions. A proposal was made to earmark funds, in the range of
funds for renting charter buses to facilitate transportation between hotels and the convention center. The
possibility of collaborating with the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the local transit authority
(PATS) to leverage existing resources and infrastructure was also discussed. The Director agreed to compile a
comprehensive list of capital improvement needs, including ROI calculations for each item.
The Director agreed to compile a list of capital improvements or needs, along with potential return on
investment (ROI) calculations for each item. It was also mentioned that all relevant information regarding
signage ordinances is available on the city's website for further reference.
Presenter: Mark Whitlow
Discussion: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
The meeting concluded with closing remarks from Mark Whitlow, thanked the attendees for their participation
and contributions to the discussions. Bill Bartleman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Darryl Pea
seconded. Unanimously approved by all attendees.