SFCVB Volunteer Councils

Councils offer Bureau members an opportunity to get involved in the organization. Council Chairs are nominated by the Board Development Committee and affirmed by the membership; they serve as members of the Bureau’s Executive Committee.

Committee Guidelines
Committee Handbook
Apply to be on a Council

Meetings & Conventions Council
Consumer Promotions Council
Community Partnerships Council

For additional information, contact Lynn Pitman (lpitman@sanfrancisco.travel; 415-227-2605).

Meetings & Conventions Council
2008/09 Chair: Dan Kelleher, General Manager, San Francisco Marriott
Staff Liaisons: Leonard Hoops, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Lysa Lewin, Managing Director, Convention Sales, SFCVB

Purpose
This primary purposes of the Meetings & Conventions Council are to ensure the SFCVB’s convention sales efforts are aligned with stakeholder needs and priorities and to keep the Bureau and its members focused on issues that impact the meeting & convention industry (convention center, downtown redevelopment, etc.).

Meetings & Conventions Council Membership
The Meetings & Conventions council shall be composed of the General Managers of San Francisco’s convention hotels, a representative from Moscone Center, the San Francisco Director of Convention Facilities, and one each representative from major stakeholder groups (e.g., DMC, ground transportation, or group facilities). The Chair of the Meetings & Conventions Council serves on the SFCVB Executive Committee.

Meetings & Conventions Council Operations
The Meetings & Conventions Council serves in an advisory capacity. The Meetings & Conventions Council shall establish each year a schedule of meetings. Additional meetings may occur as the Chair deems advisable. The council shall keep minutes of the meetings, and shall report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The Council will be staffed by the SFCVB Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Managing Director, Convention Sales.

Responsibilities
The Meetings & Conventions Council will have the following responsibilities, and any other responsibilities reasonably related to its purposes or assigned by the Executive Committee or the Board from time to time:

• - Acting in an advisory capacity, provide feedback and recommendations to SFCVB staff on convention sales goals, booking policy, deployment strategies and program of work/budget.

• - Review changes to the San Francisco, regional, national and international meetings markets, and update strategic plans to address new issues.
• - Assess current and anticipated needs related to convention center space; create Expansion Task Force if necessary. Advocate for appropriate capital improvements to convention facilities to stay competitive.
• - Identify projects that will enhance San Francisco’s position as a meetings/conventions destination. With SFCVB Board approval (and in conjunction with Bureau staff), advocate for such projects.
• - Convene, as a subcommittee, a Directors of Sales & Marketing Forum as needed to discuss operational issues related to both meetings/convention and tourism/leisure.

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Consumer Promotions Council
2008/09 Chair: Alan Morrell, Store Manager, Nordstrom
Staff Liaison: Laurie Armstrong, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, SFCVB

Purpose
The primary purposes of the Consumer Promotions Council are to ensure the SFCVB’s consumer marketing efforts are aligned with stakeholder needs and priorities and to identify opportunities around which consumer promotions can be created.

Membership
The Consumer Promotions Council shall be composed of marketing representatives of member companies, and of representatives of non-member organizations who bring special skills or resources. The Chair of the Consumer Promotions Council serves on the SFCVB Executive Committee.

Consumer Promotions Council Operations
The Consumer Promotions Council serves in an advisory capacity. The Consumer Promotions Council shall each year establish a schedule of meetings. Additional meetings may occur as the Chair deems advisable. The council shall keep minutes of the meetings, and shall report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The Council shall be staffed by the SFCVB Vice President, Marketing & Communications.

Responsibilities
The Consumer Promotions Council will have the following responsibilities, and any other responsibilities reasonably related to its purposes or assigned by the Executive Committee or the Board from time to time:

• - Acting in an advisory capacity, provide feedback and recommendations to SFCVB staff on convention sales goals, booking policy, deployment strategies and program of work/budget.
• - Identify periods of soft demand during which the City would benefit from increased consumer promotion.
• - Identify opportunities for specific consumer promotions, such as major arts events, prime retail opportunities, etc.
• - Act as liaisons to fellow members regarding consumer promotions, soliciting input and advocating for participation.

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Community Partnerships Council
2008/09 Chair: Mariann Costello, Vice President, Scoma’s Restaurant
Staff Liaisons: Joe D’Alessandro, President/CEO and Dan Goldes, EVP, Strategy & Development, SFCVB

Purpose
The primary purposes of the Community Partnerships Council are to develop an outreach program that increases the community’s recognition of the visitor industry as vital to San Francisco’s economy and of the SFCVB as the engine of the industry, and to develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to ensure consistent communication regarding the mission and accomplishments of SFCVB.

Membership
The Community Partnerships Council shall be composed of members interested in ensuring targeted communication between the SFCVB and stakeholder groups. The Chair of the Community Partnerships Council serves on the SFCVB Executive Committee.

Community Partnerships Council Operations
The Community Partnerships Council serves in an advisory capacity. The Community Partnerships Council shall each year establish a schedule of meetings. Additional meetings may occur as the Chair deems advisable. The council shall keep minutes of the meetings, and shall report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The Council shall be staffed by the SFCVB President/CEO and Executive Vice President, Strategy & Development.

Responsibilities
The Community Partnerships Council will have the following responsibilities, and any other responsibilities reasonably related to its purposes or assigned by the Executive Committee or the Board from time to time:

• - Foster ties to appropriate local business and neighborhood associations, government officials, local media, local visitor-industry associations, and community groups.
• - Develop well-researched public positions that reflect the priorities, concerns, and interests of the industry.
• - Monitor public positions of allied organizations and recommend appropriate SFCVB responses that reflect the interests of the industry.

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