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Show Travel Council Board Meets With Full Agenda To Cover BRYCE Members of the Garfield County Travel Council Board of Directors met Oct. 1 at Rubys Inn at Bryce for their regular reg-ular meeting. The minutes show that members mem-bers present included Mike Ahlstrom, Tropic; Tracy Armstrong, Panguitch; Bob Benfield, Panguitch; Sharol Bernardo, Escalante; Bobbi Bryant, Panguitch; Mary Jane Christy(staff), Panguitch; Stan Foy, Panguitch; Bruce Fullmer (director) Panguitch); John Houston, Panguitch; Carlon Johnson, Cannonville; Travis LeFevre, Tropic; Kenny Miller, Panguitch; Janet Oldham, Panguitch; Bob Syrett, Bryce; and Brett Taylor, Panguitch. Member Linda Mansell, Escalante, was not present. Others present included Craig Axtel, superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park; Malby Dodds, Garfield County commissioner; com-missioner; Carl Guillette, retired Dixie National Forest Powell District ranger; Ron Harris, director, Local Emergency Planning Committee; and Jean Seiler, Mayor, Tropic. Announcements & Distributions Ticaboo: Bruce Fullmer distributed dis-tributed an article about Ticaboo. U?per Sevier River Community Trails Workshop: Fullmer explained to the board about the upcoming workshop on trails and invited all to attend to help identify some. areas for . trails in the western end of Garfield County. , Hiehwav 12 Article: Sharol Bernardo showed board members mem-bers an article about Highway 12 that appeared in the Daily Spectrum. ' Heritage News Article: Bernardo informed the board that the Heritage News had published pub-lished several articles about businesses in Garfield County on Highway 89 and the Boulder Loop. Introduction of New Superintendent: Chairman John Houston welcomed new Bryce Canyon National Park superintendent superin-tendent Craig Axtel and board members introduced themselves to him. Red Canxon Ricxcle Trail Grand Opening Celebration: (See MEETING on page 2A) i Travel Council Meeting From Front Page Fullmer announced the celebration celebra-tion set for Oct. 17 at the Red Canyon Trail Head and the dedication ded-ication of the Mammoth Road set for the following day where blacktopping has been completed. complet-ed. Hiphwav 143 Scenic Hiehwav Application: Fullmer told the board that a letter had gone to him from Iron County and from Panguitch City asking his assistance in obtaining designation des-ignation of the highway as a National Scenic Byway, he said the letter was also an invitation to other organizations which might be interested in helping to pursue the designation. An organizational meeting was set for Oct. 10 at Brian Head. By motion and unanimous approval the board voted to support the project. Visitor Center Reports. Rocky Mountain Lodging Reports: Fullmer reviewed both reports with board members. Highway 89 Project: Fullmer showed board members a letter from Ron Bushman, chairman of the Highway 89 Project, encouraging everyone to support the bill that Senator Bob Bennett had presented to make the Boulder Loop and Heritage Highway 89 a National Mormon Heritage Pioneer Area. Brce Canyon National Park Press Release: Fullmer showed board members a BCNP press release, a joint effort of several people, encouraging visitation at the park. Website: Visitni: Fullmer said the website visitnj (sic) has interesting information about tourism. Utah Travel Council Press Release: Fullmer distributed copies of a press release by (See MEETING on page' 3A) Garfield Travel Council Meeting From Page 2A 0 UTC's Ken Kraus describing Utah's fall colors in which Highway 12 was mentioned. Sjm Em Organization Poster: Fullmer showed members mem-bers a copy of the Sun Pac poster that promotes all five Utah national parks to be used at trade and travel shows around the area. The poster will also be used in Utah's booth to promote the national parks in Utah. Budget Travel Maea?ine: The magazine has listed Boulder Mountain Lodge on the platinum list in one of its articles. arti-cles. Grand Circle Board of DirectorsUtah Association of Regions -Chairman: The Grand Circle Organization had asked Fullmer to continue to serve on the board for the next year. Fullmer is also director of Color Country and is currently chairman chair-man of the UAR. Four Wheeler Maearine. Bike Week: Janet Oldham reported to the board that Garfield County made a three-page three-page spread in Four Wheeler magazine. She also reported that Highway 12, Highway 14 and a little shop in Panguitch was in Bike Week on the Discovery Channel. Dixie National Forest Carl Guillette also announced the celebration to officially open the Red Canyon Bike Trail. He told the board that Red Canyon Visitor Center in is the planning and design stage. He said the DNF has discontinued its contract con-tract with the Dixie Interpretive Association and looks forward to working with the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association. He said the Forest Service is making a special effort to sign trails and that the Red Canyon trail Map was being revised and should soon be ready. He informed the board that he would be retiring shortly and had appreciated working with the Garfield County Travel Council throughout through-out the years. He said it could be six months before a new district ranger is named. Bryce Canyon National Park Craig Axtel, new superintendent superin-tendent at Bryce Canyon National Park, updated the board on events at the park after thanking everyone for the warm welcome extended to him and his wife. Axtel said aware of the economics eco-nomics in relationship to Bryce Canyon National Park and the region. He said his first job with the Park Service was as an economist econ-omist and looking at the economic eco-nomic effects of national parks on local communities. He said that BCNP visitation was down fairly substantially at the end of August, but that September appeared to have been a good month for the park. Public Radio Station Narrative: Axtel distributed copies of the narrative the Park Service will be running on the public travel radio station operated oper-ated by the Travel Council. He asked for comments or changes on the message. He told them that he appreciates the relationship relation-ship that the Park has with the Council. National Park Service Management Conference: Axtel informed members about a general gen-eral management conference for the National Park Service for this region of the Park Service That had been set for Nov. 4-7 in Salt Lake City. The theme of the conference was to be "Developing Partnerships In Cooperation In Working With Communities." He told the council that he has registration forms if any of the Board would like to attend. Bryce Canyon Shuttle Service: He informed members that the shuttle service was reduced substantially this year from the first two years of service. This coming summer will be the fourth year of the two separate five-year contracts that they have for both the shuttle and the staging area. He told them that . it's no secret that the Park Service cannot afford the shuttle. shut-tle. The two contracts together if run 100 percent service would cost the park $2.2 million a year. He told them that there are some issues with the funding sources that were used the first two years of the shuttle which were not appropriate. For the fourth and fifth years of the shuttle's contract, they just don't have the money. They are planning on meeting with Lewis Brothers, Salt Lake City, to see what they can work out. He said they realize real-ize they need to work the problem prob-lem out as soon as possible. He explained to members the difference between the shuttle system in Zion compared to that in Bryce Canyon. He told them that Zion has many other roads that are open to vehicle traffic other than the one they run their shuttle. The canyon road is closed to people except those people who have reservations at the lodge, making it mandatory to take the shuttle up that road. The difference is that there are (See MEETING on page 4A) Meeting From Page 3A many other roads open in Zion where at Bryce there is only one main park road. On the financial side Zion received a very large one-time-only capital construction construc-tion budget, around $25 million to build the maintenance facility and purchase some. 35 buses. They have a service contract to operate the buses which is paid for out of transportation revenue. rev-enue. As a result they had that one time only capitol investment which was picked up at the start. There is an operational and financial difference between the two Parks. He told them that at this point he thinks they want to retain the shuttle service but also allow the alternative for people to drive through the Park. He said the shuttle service for 2003 will probably be more like that of 2002, perhaps slightly more. ' Travel Show Booth Help: The question was asked why Bryce Canyon National Park does not have a booth at some of the travel trav-el shows like many other Parks. Axtel told board members that BCNP just doesn't have the money to spend for shows. It was suggested by Board members mem-bers that we consider taking a member of the Park Service with us to some of the travel shows. A motion was made by Bob Syrett that to approve and look into, from the standpoint of what the per diem would be, for Bryce Canyon National Park personnel to help staff travel shows. In the meantime, the Park was to look (See MEETING on page 5A) Garfield Travel Council Meeting From Page 4A for possible personnel to staff the booth. The collected information infor-mation was set for review at the next meeting Travel Council meeting on Nov. 19. The motion was seconded by Carlon Johnson and unanimously approved. Axtel told board members that the regional director for the Park Service is very supportive of working with communities, but he wants to also be able tq preserve and protect the natural resources. BCNP Road Project: He reported to the board on the park's road project from the Park boundary into the Park, about 10 miles long which will start again this coming April. It will be a two-year project costing cost-ing around $10 million. He said it will be a challenge to minimize mini-mize the impacts of the construction con-struction on tourism during that time. Prescribed Burns: Axtel said that BCNP had plans to do some prescribed burns in mid-November mid-November if weather conditions are right. He said he is aware of the smoke issue and is working hard to burn during the shoulder season when visitation is down. Budget & Finance Budget Report: Board members mem-bers were provided with a budget budg-et report in their packets and there were questions from some. The questions and answers were not included in the minutes nor were there any budget figures fig-ures or a budget total men-' tioned. Room Tax Revenues: Fullmer distributed a sheet with Room Tax revenues through September 2002. He told members mem-bers that that revenues are down 3 percent compared to a year ago and down 15 percent compared com-pared to the year 2000. No dol- lar amounts- were stated in the minutes. Tentative Budget: Fullmer distributed a budget worksheet and told riiembers that a month remained for the tentative budget budg-et to be submitted to the Garfield County Commission. He suggested that a group of members get together and finalize final-ize the tentative budget. No tentative ten-tative budget details or total were included in the minutes. It was decided that a sub-committee would meet on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. in the county commission chambers.' -Kenny Miller, Bob Syrett, Tracy Armstrong, Janet Oldham and Mike Ahlstrom requested to be on the subcommittee. Fullmer told the Board that in the year 2001 the Travel Council overspent $30,000 with the Olympic booth, and some unplanned advertising in Las (See MEETING on page 6A) ' Garfield County Travel Council Meeting From Page 5A Vegas and Salt Lake City. He said that Garfield County paid the shortfall. He said the Travel Council budget would have a zero balance of surplus money going into this next year. He said revenues for Travel Council Garfield County has been $150,000, but in 2002 were only $120,000. The minutes stated that "Commissioner Dodds told members the county budget is not looking' great, but he thinks we'll be all right for next year." Highway 20: Members discussed dis-cussed the road construction that will take place on Highway 20 and whether county visitor centers should be kept open. There were no details about the discussion in the minutes. Highway 12 Designation & Ceremonies Fullmer told members that the ceremony for the Highway 12 Designation in Boulder was very successful, with over 160 people in attendance and a Dutch oven dinner was served. A ribbon was placed across the highway for the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. Spencer Kinard from the Utah Travel Council spoke and made some big promises on what the Utah Travel Council is going to do to help promote Utah's only All-American Road. He told them that the new map for National Scenic Byways should be out by Dec. 1. Western States Tourism Conference Sharol Bernardo told members mem-bers about the Western States Tourism Conference Dec. 3-5 in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. The cost to attend the show is $245 per person. She motioned for the council to attend the conference, seconded sec-onded by Janet Oldham, and unanimously approved. Sharol Bernardo, Janet Oldham and Bobbi Bryant volunteered vol-unteered to go to the Conference. Media Report Trailer Life: Fullmer reminded remind-ed council members that that they had approved the Trailer Life ad, expected to be out soon also in the atlas and in the business busi-ness section. AAA Ad: Fullmer said that the council is doing essentially the same ads as the previous year in the AAA Tour book. He said they will be splitting a half-page with Washington County and doing a BryceZion ad. The ad was changed to include both phone numbers from each county. coun-ty. The cost will be around $10,000. He said them that the council also has its own Bryce Canyon ad in the book. He said he informed AAA that he is disappointed dis-appointed in the State of Utah map in the book. He requested that they revise the map to show the National Scenic Byways and received a commitment from them, but-said it probably won't be changed for another year. Jean Seiler suggested placing the council's own map on the ad. Grand Circle Planner: Fullmer asked board members if they want to run an ad in the Grand Circle planner. He told them that 150,000 copies are printed. He told them that they . have not currently been running an ad. Members expressed that they felt it wasn't worthwhile to do an ad. Cerca Magarine: Fullmer showed members a copy of the Cerca Magazine owned by the Las Vegas Review Journal. He recommended placing an ad in the magazine; 20,000 copies of the magazine are printed four times a year, and it goes out primarily pri-marily to the Las Vegas area. There are 11,000 subscribers, 5,000 sold on newsstands and 4,500 Used as promotional copies. A full-page ad would cost $3,800 for each printing. It was decided to try a 18 page ad. for one year on motion by Sharol Bernardo, seconded by Bob Syrett, and unanimously approved. Mike Ahlstrom motioned to change the 800 number in the AAA book and on Cerca Magazine ad, to track the ads, seconded by Carlon Johnson, and unanimously approved. Certified Rack Display: Fullmer asked members to review the small Bryce Canyon brochure for the Certified Rack Display to see if any changes needed to be made. He reminded remind-ed that they had approved printing print-ing 40,000 last spring. He said their supply would shortly be depleted. He said he would like to put the same type of brochure in the FlagstaffWilliams area and possibly the Denver and Western Colorado areas. A motion was made by Bob Syrett to reprint the Certified Rack Display Bryce Canyon brochure, seconded by Mike Ahlstrom, and unanimously approved. Garfield County Brochure: Fullmer asked members if they would like to reprint the Garfield County brochure or if they would like to create a new magazine type brochure. He told them that we have enough of our present brochure to get by until the end of the year, but not enough for all the travel shows. Much discussion was held on the subject and it was decided to research it further. He suggested we consider getting Janet Reffert to do the new magazine if we decide to do it. A motion was made by Allen Henrie that they reprint with small black and white changes on an as needed basis, whatever amount of the Bryce Canyon Country brochure we need to get by until they have their new brochure printed, meanwhile assigning a committee to look at what changes or additions are needed brochure to have it ready for next fall, seconded by Stan Foy and unanimously approved. Tracy Armstrong, Bobbi Bryant, Bob Syrett, Sharol Bernardo, Travis LeFevre and Brett Taylor all volunteered to be on the committee to format the new Garfield County brochure. Trade & Travel Shows Los Angeles Japanese Sales Mission: Bob Syrett He told them that four council members took part at the Los Angeles Japanese Sales Mission, John Houston, Carlon Johnson, Mike Ahlstrom and himself. He said they all felt it was successful trip, but next year they would like to have one more day to spend there. He told them that they would not go to travel companies com-panies again on a Friday because no one is around. Prestige Show: Janet Oldham reported that the Prestige Show was busy and that there were many requests for information on the BryceZion areas. She told them that many people, especially seniors were looking for tours coming to the area. 2003 Travel Shows: Fullmer passed around a list of the Color Country shows and Utah Travel Region shows for next year. He also gave them a list of shows for consideration for Garfield County. Board members mem-bers voted on the travel shows they would like to do in 2003. Garfield County 2003 Travel Shows (1) Jan. 2-5, Anaheim, Calif.: Anaheim Sportsmen's Show; (2) Jan. 9-12, Pomona, Calif.: International Sportsmen's Expo; (3) Jan. 11, Las Vegas, Nev.: Prestige Travel Fair; (4) Jan. 23-2, 23-2, Denver, Colo.: International Sportsmen's Expo (5) Jan. 25-26, 25-26, Orange County, Calif.: Orange County Fair & Expo; (6) Jan. 29- Feb. 2, San Mateo, Calif.: International Sportsmen's Expo; (7) Feb. 1-2, Los. Angeles, Calif,: Los Angeles Times Travel Show; (8) Feb. 19-23, Chicago, 111.: Chicago Travel Show; (9) Feb. 20-23, Sandy, Utah: 38th Utah Sportsmen's Vacation & RV Show; (10) Feb. 27-Mar. 2, Phoenix, Ariz.: International Sportsmen's Expo; (11) Mar. 1-2, 1-2, Colorado Springs, Colo.: Southern Colorado Expo; (12) Mar. 8-9, Ontario, Calif.: Fly Fishing Show. Garfield County 2003 Trade Shows (1) Feb. 9-12, Albuquerque, N.M.: Rocky Mountain Symposia; (2) May?, St. Louis, Mo.: Pow Wow; (3) Nov. ?, NTA Color Country 2003 Consumer Shows Anaheim Sportsmen's Show, Jan. 2-5, Garfield County; Arizona Sportsmen Vacation & RV Show, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Beaver County; San Diego Travel Show, Feb. 9, beaver County; Colorado RV. Sports. Boat Show, Mar. 5-9, Washington County; Denver, Colo., International Sportsmen's Expo, Sandy, Utah, Mar. 13-16, Iron County. Region Shows Color Country Staff Chicago, Feb. 19-23, Garfield County; Harrisburg, Feb. 12-16, 12-16, Iron County; Portland, Feb. 15-17, Washington County. Ontario Calif. Fishing Show: Bobbi Bryant told members that their fly fishing business has been invited to do a panel discussion dis-cussion on Fly Fishing in Southern Utah at the Ontario, Calif., Fishing Show. They would like to have a booth at the show but cannot afford to do it alone. They ask if the county would like to help with the cost if they promote county material. Carlon Johnson motioned to pay the booth space of $650 for the Ontario, Calif., Fishing Show, seconded by Sharol Bernardo, and unanimously approved. FAM Tours Fullmer informed members that five FAM tours coming to the area in the next month. JTB FAM: He told them that probably the most important is the JTB FAM Tour that will be coming with all their general managers. They were to stay overnight at Bryce and "we" will do dinner with them. Other FAMS: He told them that John Houston and himself will be meeting with some other FAM groups. AAA FAM Tours: Fullmer said that there were two outstanding out-standing AAA FAM tours during the summer. The cost to hire a tour guide and a motorcoach for each tour was about $5,000. Each county paid for the motel rooms and meals. He told them he is still trying to put together a Denver AAA FAM. Quilting Group: He told them about a group of quilters from Germany who would like to put tours together to see quilting in this area. They were enthused about doing something around the Quilt Festival in Panguitch. Internet Statistics Fullmer distributed Internet statistics showing that Internet visitation was down compared to what it had been since the Travel Council introduced its new web page. Executive Session Bob Syrett motioned for an executive session, seconded by Bobbi Bryant and unanimously approved. Staff and visitors were excused from the meeting. No reason was given to hold the meeting and no report followed, and no motion was indicated to return to general session. Other Public Response There was no public response Next Meeting & Adjournment The next meeting was set for Nov. 19 at Rubys Inn at 9 a.m. Adjournment was by motion and unanimous vote in favor |