[MainstreetTowns] Main Street Banquet

Fri Oct 13 12:52:55 CDT 2017

Can you provide last year's banquet expenditures?

On Oct 12, 2017 6:16 PM, "Buffy Hughes" <Buffy.Hughes at okcommerce.gov> wrote:

> In the past we’ve been able to give a grant
> to the host community to cover the costs so they aren’t out any money.
> That’s gone now.
>
> Keep it coming.  I appreciate the feedback.
>
> Buffy
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 12, 2017, at 6:06 PM, John Newby <jnewby59 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On one hand, I agree with convenience for the legislative bodies, although
> I wonder how many actually show up.
>
> Combining more than one thing such as training would make it more
> attractive and beneficial.
>
> That said, if someone wins the community of the year, what are the
> advantages of hosting the event outside their community if they get no
> financial return by people coming to their communities. Just curious if
> there are other reasons to be the host and get to spend money that doesn't
> really benefit their community.
>
> As a Main Street community, I would much rather attend a function and
> support a fellow Main Street community even if I have to drive and stay in
> a hotel one night or so, rather than building up Oklahoma Cities, unless if
> they win of course.  Then I can see why the community  was the community of
> the year and experience what success is first hand.
>
> Maybe this budget crisis is a blessing in disguise as it forces us to do
> things differently and shake it up a bit.
>
> My one and a half sense worth.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
> John A. Newby
> CEO / Executive Director - Main Street Muskogee Founder - Uniquely USA
> 207 North 2nd Street
> Muskogee, OK. 74401
> (Office) 918-683-4600 ext. 22 <(918)%20683-4600>
> (Cell)     815-326-9061 <(815)%20326-9061>
> Jnewby59 at gmail.com
> John at uniquelyusa.net
>
> On Oct 12, 2017, at 5:38 PM, Main Street Guymon <
> director at mainstreetguymon.com> wrote:
>
> It is important to stress the legislators attending.  This helps keep our
> Main Street program alive during budgeting times.  I hate that part because
> it means we have 5 hours to and 5 hours back to drive … but it is probably
> something that is more important than my complaining!  : )
>
>
>
> I love the banquet because of the ideas that we see in such a comfortable
> setting.
>
>
>
> *From:* MainstreetTowns [mailto:mainstreettowns-bounces at lists.onenet.net
> <mainstreettowns-bounces at lists.onenet.net>] *On Behalf Of *McAlester Main
> Street
> *Sent:* Thursday, October 12, 2017 5:23 PM
> *To:* MainstreetTowns at lists.onenet.net
> *Subject:* Re: [MainstreetTowns] Main Street Banquet
>
>
>
> Greetings!
>
>
>
> I am new in the Main Street Program Manager position and was looking
> forward to attending to learn about the completed projects all across
> Oklahoma. I echo what John Newby shared that it would be the best use of my
> organization's funds if the awards dinner was combined with a training
> session or even a tour of work completed in a Main Street District. As I
> have not attended this awards ceremony or banquet it depends on what the
> purpose of the event is. Is it to share completed projects? Network and
> share ideas or resources? Highlight the achievements made in our local
> programs?
>
>
>
> One method of reducing the cost would be to not produce the full-color
> banquet guide. Offering different pricing points for communities with
> greater resources or a close proximity to the awards location.
>
>
>
> Hope the helps.
>
>
>
> Christine Hermsmeyer
>
>
>
>
> Christine Hermsmeyer
> Executive Director
>
> McAlester Main Street
> 119 E. Choctaw Ave, Ste. 104
> McAlester, OK 74501
>
> 918-423-8888 <(918)%20423-8888>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 12, 2017 at 3:52 PM, Buffy Hughes <Buffy.Hughes at okcommerce.gov>
> wrote:
>
> Good afternoon.  Below is a message from Secretary Deby Snodgrass
> regarding the Main Street Awards and Banquet.  I welcome any comments,
> suggestions, or ideas regarding this situation.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Buffy
>
>
>
> *Buffy Hughes*
>
> State Main Street Director
>
> Oklahoma Department of Commerce
>
> 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104
>
> E: Buffy.Hughes at okcommerce.gov
>
> P: 405.815.5249 <(405)%20815-5249>
>
> C: 405.664.1260 <(405)%20664-1260>
>
> OKcommerce.gov/main-street
>
>
>
>
>
> <image001.jpg>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Greetings Main Streeters!
>
>
>
> A new chapter in the state budget saga is being written right now, but the
> ending will be the same – more budget cuts.  The only question is how
> much.  Since 2009, Commerce has had its budget cut 39%.  We have gone from
> 143 employees just five years ago to 94 today – and one-fifth of those that
> remain have not had a raise in the last five years – for some, it has been
> 11 years since their last increase.  For these reasons, I have explained to
> Buffy that a banquet is no longer a justifiable expense for our agency.
> Other state agencies have already eliminated banquets and conferences to
> save money and we need to follow their example.
>
>
>
> Last year, the cost of the banquet was $41,440.66.  Ticket sales amounted
> to $20,340.00.  Enid’s contribution to the banquet was $15,042.67, but they
> received grants totaling $10,000.00 to cover their cost.  The grants were
> funded by the legislative appropriation to the Oklahoma Department of
> Commerce and paid to National Main Street as part of our contract.  To
> protect Commerce and Main Street, I have requested an Attorney General’s
> opinion on the legality of this pass-through practice.
>
>
>
> I understand that the Main Street banquet is a long-held tradition and
> something you do not want to give up.  *If the host committee can raise
> $20,000 in sponsorships or you are willing to double the price of the
> tickets so the event can be held at little or no cost to the taxpayers, the
> Main Street staff can continue to provide planning and support.  *
>
>
>
> My recommendation is that you consider the practice of the Governor’s Arts
> Awards and hold your event at the Capitol during the legislative session.
> That will allow the Governor and your lawmakers to attend and have their
> photos taken with you.  It will also save your individual Main Street
> operations money since you will not need to buy tickets it will be held
> during the day and most of you will not need to spend the night.
>
>
>
> It’s your decision! I have outlined three options:
>
> ·         Hold the banquet, with the host city (or a combination of
> cities) soliciting sponsors to supplement the revenue from tickets and
> cover costs.
>
> ·         Hold the banquet and cover costs by doubling the amount of the
> ticket price.
>
> ·         In lieu of a banquet, hold an awards ceremony at the Capitol
> during the legislative session.
>
>
>
> Your feedback is important.  Please respond to this email and let us know
> how you would like to proceed.  Thank you!
>
>
>
>
> *Deby Snodgrass| Secretary of Commerce & Tourism Executive Director,
> Oklahoma Department of Commerce*
> 405-815-5306 <(405)%20815-5306> | Deby_Snodgrass at okcommerce.gov
>
> <image002.png> <http://facebook.com/okcommerce>
>
> <image003.png> <http://twitter.com/okcommerce>
>
> OKcommerce.gov <http://okcommerce.gov/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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