TDC votes to disband marketing advisory committee and move to quarterly partner calls

The Tourist Development Council voted 7–0 to disband the formal Marketing & Communications Advisory Committee and to pursue a different structure of quarterly marketing-partner calls and workshop-style outreach.

Kelly Carter, marketing director, told the council the committee had struggled to maintain quorum and to attract qualified applicants under the committee’s membership requirements. Carter said the department has been running a quarterly “marketing partner” Zoom call, inviting the research firm and private-sector partners to participate and record the sessions; she argued the calls generated broader participation than the formal committee had.

Carter noted a formal advisory committee is subject to public-meeting rules (sunshine laws), requires assignment of staff, meeting notices and minutes, and can deter private-sector participants who prefer informal engagement. She said the department still needs scored event-grant reviewers and has a plan to assign smaller subcommittees or volunteers for grant-scoring work.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Tiffany Haffner moved to disband and re-envision the marketing and communications advisory committee; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Amy Wisecoble. The motion passed by voice vote, 7–0.

Ending: Staff said event-grant and cooperative-sales processes will be adjusted to maintain review standards; staff will continue quarterly partner calls and return with a media plan at the next meeting.