HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/12/2006 - UPDATE FROM THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU DATE: September 12, 2006 WORK SESSION ITEM
STAFF: Jim Clark FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Update from the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
In January 2006, the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau(FCCVB)presented its strategic
plan to Council. Two of the objectives of the plan were to:
1. Promote Arts and Culture in Fort Collins
2. Increase awareness of Fort Collins in the Denver market.
The FCCVB has worked in partnership with the Cultural Resources Board to develop a community
cultural calendar and a cultural event marketing campaign for the Denver/Front Range market. The
purpose of this work session is to update Council on those projects.
BACKGROUND
For the past 20 years, the City of Fort Collins has contracted with the FCCVB to provide various
convention and visitors services. Within its contractual services, the Fort Collins Convention and
Visitors Bureau has developed a sales and marketing program for the City that produces
approximately$17.5 million in group,meeting and convention sales. The FCCVB services over 100
groups annually that meet in Fort Collins, including such large organizations as Campus Crusade
for Christ.
The Bureau also provides information services for visitors and local citizens, receiving more than
1 million requests per year. Since January,2006,the www.ftcollins.com website has received more
than 720,000 unique visits, 91,825 Visitor Guides have been distributed, and the FCCVB has
responded to more than 14,954 individual requests through advertising and promotion.
Through cooperative partnerships with the Colorado Tourism Office, local businesses and other
Front Range destinations, the FCCVB has leveraged over $104,000 in additional advertising and
marketing.