Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Lodging Liaison RFP Applicant - Vail Valley Partnership 97 Main Street, Suite E-201, Edwards, CO 81632 VailValleyPartnership.com Recognized as Chamber of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives August 9, 2022 Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council c/o Town of Vail 75 S. Frontage Road Vail, CO 81657 Dear VLMD Advisory Council, You are in search of a partner that can demonstrate strong collaboration, agility, creative problem solving and deep passion/understanding of the travel industry and competitive landscape and closely familiar with the local Vail industry. Vail Valley Partnership was asked to submit a proposal to fill the Lodging Liaison position and is uniquely qualified to fulfill this important role. We are happy to be considered for the role of Vail Local Marketing District Lodging Liaison and believe the partner description above perfectly describes the Partnership . Our mission, scope of work, programming, experience, and staff are aligned with your goals in this role; we have been engaged with the VLMD dating back to the implementation of the district and look forward to a continued and enhanced relationship to help you reach your goals and continue to improve the relationship between the lodging community and the Vail Local Marketing District/Town of Vail. Scope of Work Leading economic resiliency: It is increasingly apparent that regional economic prosperity is linked to an area’s ability to prevent, withstand, and quickly recover from major disruptions (i.e., ‘shocks’) to its economic base. The lodging community and the VLMD are interconnected partners in our continued efforts to ensure Vail is a sustainable community. Vail Valley Partnership serves as a responsive participant in economic resiliency efforts to our business community and local governments by serving as an information hub by collecting data and convening the appropriate players to facilitate resiliency and ongoing sustainability of our community. We help our government & special districts as a conduit to the business community and help our business community as a voice to government officials. As Vail embarks on – and expands – its role in Destination Stewardship, we are the ideal partner to serve as the conduit between the town and the lodging community. Our well- established relationships with both entities will help ensure the communication to and from the lodging community remains a key focus priority area. 97 Main Street, Suite E-201, Edwards, CO 81632 VailValleyPartnership.com Recognized as Chamber of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Focus areas: We will focus on the following scope to achieve the lodging liaison role. 1. Industry Communication Vail Valley Partnership staff will serve as the conduit from the lodging com munity to the Town of Vail staff, and as a conduit from the Town of Vail to the lodging community. This will be at the discretion of VVP staff (with feedback and input from town staff) and will consist of email communications, phone calls, individual meeti ngs, etc. Vail Valley Partnership will also work with VLMD partners (public relations, in -resort program coordinator, data) to communicate with the lodging community on an ongoing basis. Monthly executive summaries will be shared with the VLMDAC board and town staff. 2. Lodging meetings Vail Valley Partnership staff will coordinate two lodging communities (spring/early summer and fall/early winter) and will solicit speakers from partner groups including Vail Resorts, Town of Vail, Vail Chamber, Welcome Centers, VLMD partners, and others as appropriate with feedback from town staff. We will promote these meetings to the lodging community and coordinate all logistics and details. 3. Book Direct and DiscoverVail.com website Vail Valley Partnership will serve as the go-to for the lodging community with regards to Book Direct and DiscoverVail.com content. While we cannot guarantee lodging engagement or participation in Book Direct or any promotional offers, we will focus on the opportunities and importance of the booking tool and website. Our role will be limited to top of funnel awareness of the opportunities , importance and benefits of the channel, and consideration of the opportunities. Conversion to the Book Direct tool or participation in any specials or web content will be the discretion of individual lodging properties. 4. Advocacy: Vail Valley Partnership staff will continue to advocate on community issues identified by our board of governors. We will clearly identify ourselves as chamber/Partnership staff when engaged in government affairs and will not advocate in our role as Lodging Liaison. Topics of advocacy to includes (but not limited to) workforce housing, land use decisions, transit, health care, early childhood, economic vitality, air service development, broadband, and other issues of importance to our business community. The above scope of work is expected to take five hours per week (not including partner meetings)/260 hours per year at a cost of $48,000. Any time allocated above this or any increase in scope not outlined in the agreed upon scope of work will billed at $185/hour. 97 Main Street, Suite E-201, Edwards, CO 81632 VailValleyPartnership.com Recognized as Chamber of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Background: Executive Summary Vail Valley Partnership is dedicated to ensuring local business success and fostering regional economic vitality by offering local business tools & resources, promoting Eagle County to destination guests, and initiating economic development efforts. The Partnership’s efforts in the community include three distinct yet connected roles: Economic Growth & Advocacy- We work to ensure the Vail Valley’s economic health stays strong for years to come. We work to help existing Vail Valley businesses thrive and recruit new businesses that have the potential to support our local economy. Our lodging community is foundational to this effort as they drive our economy. Regional Chamber of Commerce- We work to provide the valley’s businesses with networking, educational, and collaborative programming opportunities with the goal of strengthening our local community. Our primary focus areas include educational programming, advocacy, networking & connections, and other small business support efforts. We have a relationship with most every lodging property and property management company in the Vail market. Tourism Development- Our primary focus areas are to attract groups and meetings from all over the country to the Vail Valley and to inform leisure guests on attractions throughout the Eagle River Valley. This includes a long history of service to, and collaboration with, the Vai l lodging community. The lodging liaison role is a natural extension of our current and historic relationship with the lodging community. References: 1. Magda King, General Manager, Antlers at Vail 2. Mike Lange, General Manager, Lion Square Lodge 3. Kristen Pryor, General Manager, Hythe Vail 4. John Dawsey, VP of Lodging, Vail Resorts 5. Jon Walters, Director of Sales & Marketing, Sebastian Vail Staff: 1. Chris Romer, President & CEO: primary lodging liaison and strategic communications, partner meetings, point person for partners and lodges 2. Shanna Sweeney, Office Manager & Lodging Liaison: tactical property recruitment for offers; Book Direct logistics & assistance 3. Kay Schneider, Event Manager: coordination of lodging meetings 97 Main Street, Suite E-201, Edwards, CO 81632 VailValleyPartnership.com Recognized as Chamber of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Previous Work: What We Do at Vail Valley Partnership We believe the health of the business community and the health of the larger community in which it lives are inextricable. And our work – providing the tools businesses need to succeed – is central to the success of the community. The Partnership’s efforts and benefit to the community include three distinct yet connected roles: • Regional Chamber of Commerce • Destination Sales & Marketing • Economic Development These interdependent roles allow us to be a catalyst for growth within the local business community, but that growth shows in larger ways; not as a creator of jobs but as a partner in growing the businesses and leaders who create the jobs that strengthen our communities. These connected roles are aligned with the Lodging Liaison role and goals outlined in the RFP. Organizational objectives: Our primary goals in the short and medium term remain focused on community resiliency and business support as we grapple with the challenges facing our lodges and our business community. Our community efforts are focused on short and mid-term programming & advocacy as well as longer-term economic resiliency that could need to be measured over years. As such, Vail Valley Partnership remains focused on leading recovery by: • Building programs that address key workforce issues & business support needs; • Building communities to which residents, visitors and investors are attracted; • Promoting the communities; • Striving to ensure future prosperity via a pro-business climate; • Representing the unified voice of the employer community; and • Reducing transactional friction through well -functioning networks. Each of these organizational objectives aligns with the scope of work requested of the lodging liaison. 97 Main Street, Suite E-201, Edwards, CO 81632 VailValleyPartnership.com Recognized as Chamber of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Conclusion We are the champions for a stronger community. We understand and represent the business perspective on local and regional issues, help businesses thrive and find customers while saving money, and provide regional leadership around ‘big issues’ of importance. Vail Valley Partnership is a trusted community partner and has received national recognition for our programming and collaborative community efforts. Our goal – with your support - is to build on our established successes, sustain a business- friendly community that is welcoming, supportive and appreciative of the businesses that make our quality of life possible, and enhance the relationship between the Vail Local Marketing District and Vail’s lodging community in the role of Lodging Liaison. As the largest Chamber of Commerce in the mountain region, and one of the largest chambers of commerce in Colorado, we are keenly aware of the needs of Eagle County business and community issues in a way that few other organizations or associations can. Our extensive history with the VLMD and our deep relationships with the lodging community ensure that we are structured for success. We appreciate your consideration and encourage you to reach out with any questions. Respectfully submitted by Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership P: 970-477-4016 / E: cromer@vailvalleypartnership.com