South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association

Introduction of Board and Guests

Meeting Called to Order:

Skip Sayre –Harrahs/Harveys – Spoke about the upcoming Outdoor Summer Concert Series. 10 shows beginning July 12 and ending Labor Day weekend. The outdoor venue is 5500 seats and they anticipate 80% occupancy. Parking has been negotiated for the Loop Road area and show start 7:00p-7:30p and end at 10:00pm. Posters will be delivered to properties. Their goal is to “peak the peak” and to lift the numbers in South Shore. Harrahs/Harveys refer callers to 800-AT Tahoe if they have no room availability.

Nancy Goethart of Bank of America and Victor – Discussed chargeback procedures and processing. Most important is to prove a procedure for no shows. Collect guest name, phone number and address. Send confirmation with cancellation policy and penalty. Cross all your t’s and dot all I’s. Be sure to code properly if a telephone order (most PMS and processing machines should have separate codes for in person charge and telephone orders). You can request arbitration if ruled against at bank/processor level. You would ask processor for “escalated level”. When bank and processor remove funds before dispute is resolved the funds are placed in a neutral account until dispute is resolved. At this time there is no way to tell if a MC/VISA is a prepaid gift card and what value. Many cards require zip code verification so collect zip code at time of reservation. The card verification value number is located on the back of the card and can be collected for phone orders to ensure caller has the card in their possession. Feel free to contact Nancy at the HWY 50 Bank of America for more information or to speak to them about processing.

Beverly Schneider – Sunset Magazine – Publisher for the California Tourism Magazine. Cooperative advertisement with the LTVA. Price is $1850 early bird by June 27 or $2176 after that date. This is the fulfillment piece for the California Dept of Tourism. Ad includes a hyperlink to your website and a reader response fulfillment card. In July Tahoe is in the Sunset Magazine as part of an insert “Best of California Drives”.

Les Wright – Lake Tahoe Marathon – Thur, Fri and Sat events including a three day triathalon. (recreational not competitive event). Kayak, swim, bike and running events.

Tami Wallace resigned her position on the board. Missy Springer with Camp Richardson was appointed by the board to replace her for the remainder of the term. (through December 2003).

Pat Ronan brought to our attention a letter received by Dennis Crabb from the City Attny regarding the definition of what is subject to TOT collections. The items are different from the agreement reached two years ago with the City and the Lodging Association. A motion was made to have Dennis Crabb ask Judy Brown and Dave Jenkins to remove the item from the agenda. Then to ask for a review to include Lodging and the City to discuss prior to making it an agenda item for the council. Motion was seconded and approved unanimously. A copy of the letter to be posted on website.

Dick Powers with SSTMA spoke of the upcoming construction around Emerald Bay that will close two parking areas. Handouts are available from the Forest Service discussing the process. The Trolley will operate out to Emerald Bay and will be a good option for guests to get out of their cars and use the shuttle. Trolley is in its 10th year. Operating hours are from 10am-9pm and $3.00 per person. There is a one hour headway from start to end of routes.
A route – Stateline to Camp Rich, B route – Zephyr Cove to Ski Run and 3rd route from Camp Rich to Emerald Bay with stops at Taylor Creek and the Snow park. Dick asked for our word of mouth promotion to encourage our guests to use the trolley service.

Bob Hassett – Announced the addition of Lakeside Marina and a new Water Shuttle from Lakeside to Camp Rich. 49 passenger boat operates from 10am- 6pm and is $6.00 on way $9.00 round trip. You can use the return trip on the trolley as well and merchants at the marinas will offer discounts to cover the cost of the tickets (validate). The service should start the end of June.

SLTCC – Duane Wallace spoke about Measure Z and the desire to increase Sales tax for future revenue to the city. The committee went and spoke with Tim Leslie and was unsuccessful in getting his support to sponsor sales tax legislation. The State is in financial difficulties (as we know) and now is not the time to introduce this type of legislation. SLTCC is having a retreat with their board to look at an economic plan for the city. We cannot continue to tax an already taxed industry.

The Chambers and Tahoe Tomorrow are sponsoring a Summer Service Spectacular June 24, 2003.

The Chamber received a large number of calls regarding the loss of the Renaissance Faire.

TDCC – Jodi Ballard – said their chamber also received calls about the Ren. Faire. She reminded everyone about the Grand Slam mixer Thursday, June 19 – Lew Mar Nels, Lakeside Marina, Royal Valhalla, Borges Carriages, Lakeside Beach Grill.

Volunteer applications are available for Celebrity Golf.

City of SLT – Tom Davis reminded us about the difficult financial times the State is in and repercussion to cities. He passed out a letter requesting support for Grant Funding for the Airport. A motion was made, seconded and passed to send a letter in support of the Grant. Tom discussed the editorial in the paper and assured us that no city services have been impacted by the redevelopment funding.

LTVA – Bill Chernock ask everyone to check www.bluelaketahoe.com. Check your listing for accuracy. Celebrity Golf is a month away. Tickets are available for packaging with lodging – See Sue Barton at LTVA for tickets. Marketing committee meets Friday, June 13 and look at Winter Campaign from Mering. This will be a lakewide campaign (SSMC, Ski Lake Tahoe, NLTRA and LTVA). Also talk will start about the possibility of a Lake wide Travel Planner.

Meeting Adjourned!

NEXT MEETING: JULY 10, 2003 9:30AM

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