SF FALL 2007 NABC
June 3, 2006
The SF FALL 2007 NABC Committee met at 5:00 p.m on June 3, 2006 at the Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento. Present were Chairman Bruce Blakely; Co-Chairman Jackie Ortiz, Entertainment/Hospitality; Co-Chairman Marion Robertson, Information; D21 Representative to the National Board of Directors Roger Smith; Harvey Brody, Finance; Rose Meltzer, Corporate Sponsors; Barbara Sonsini, Corporate Sponsors; Kathy Venton, Volunteers; Katherine Ewing, Registration; Terry Terzian, Intermediate/Novice; Andy Straus, Partnerships; Jim Cohen, Caddies; Joyce Hart, Program, Restaurant Guide; Jim Leuker, Transportation/Parking; Jill Wood, Pre-Tournament Entertainment; Michael Nistler, Internet Site; Stu Goodgold, At Large; and Cindy Kirk, Secretary. Also present were Nancy Ferguson and Scott Ewing. Absent were Cassie Mani Tours/Special Events; Lori Spaeth, Prizes; Jack Zelis, Charity and Virginia Aghevli, Hospitality Hostess.
1. Chairman’s Report: Chairman Bruce Blakely thanked Katherine and Scott Ewing for providing a delicious tandoori dinner for the committee. Members of the committee were introduced. Bruce pointed out that Marion Robertson had brought each Chairman the relevant section of the ACBL NABC binder for their use. Bruce noted that each Chairman would have a chance to report on what progress had been made in their area of responsibility and to ask questions. A time line for events relating to the NABC will be put together by the September meeting.
2. Corporate Sponsors: Barbara Sonsini and Rose Meltzer outlined relevant issues relating to Corporate and Individual Sponsors for the D21 Fall 2007 NABC. It was agreed that $100 would sponsor a one session event, $200 a two session event and $500 a multiple session event. A corporation could sponsor the SF Nationals for approximately $50,000 as has occurred in Houston and Denver. Rose noted that any marketing presentation needs to be tailored to the interests of the company. Rose suggested “Breakfast with the Stars” where players could buy the privilege of having breakfast at a table with a top player. An opportunity to kibbutz a bridge personality could also be an attractive option. In one instance, a game company sponsored games given away as Section Tops. Sponsors could give coupons that would need to redeemed by stopping in at the sponsor’s place of business. ACBL is estimating that about 14,000 tables are expected at $10.50 per table. This means that SF will be receiving funds of $147,000 from ACBL. Barbara requested that someone from San Francisco be responsible for selling advertising in the area around the hotel. It will be determined how much the Denver NABC charged for similar ads which could also include an offer for a free drink or dessert. Barbara stressed the importance of timing the request for advertising before a sponsor’s advertising dollars are committed. The program is sent to Memphis six months ahead of time to be printed. It was decided that ads could be solicited 9 months in advance. All rates will be determined by the September meeting. Steve Castellano will be asked to assist Joyce Hart in soliciting advertising.
3. Finance: Every committee should have an approximate budget in place by the September 3 meeting. Committee chairs are encouraged to give Harvey an outline of how much money they will need. If more money is raised, more will be available. Each committee chair will be reimbursed by sending Harvey receipts for expenses incurred. (400 Warren Drive #11, San Francisco, CA 94131 or hbrody@comcast.net) Expenses over $500 should be cleared through Bruce, Marian or Jackie. Caddies will be paid by ACBL. It will be learned if ACBL or D21 is responsible for the Pre-Tournament Dinner held the night before the Tournament begins.
4. Volunteers: Kathy Venton would like each Chairman to let her know approximately how many volunteers will be needed for their stations. She will be contacting each Unit to ask them to send the volunteers needed for a specific day of the tournament. Larger Units will be responsible for all the staffing on one day and smaller ones will be combined. Jackie announced that there will be a special Volunteer Room where the volunteers for that day only will be served breakfast and lunch.
5. WEB SITE: Michael Nistler has reserved the domain name for the SF Nationals WEB SITE and it will be up and running at least one year in advance of the tournament. It will be linked to the ACBL WEB SITE. (www.sfnabc.com) Michael emphasized that he is available to help facilitate each area of the NABC Committee. It was suggested that Partnerships and Registration might be done online. (bridge_hands@yahoo.com)
6. Caddies: Jim Cohen suggested that there be a place on the WEB SITE with an application form for Caddies to sign up. He would like Caddies to wear a distinctive T shirt with Caddy clearly written on the back. Jim will be starting bridge classes at the Junior College level in San Francisco, which may be a good source of Caddies. Marion stated that she always had more Caddies signed up than needed in 1996 as some would not show up. Roger reminded Jim that ACBL determines the number of Caddies needed. Free plays for Caddies were discussed.
7. Partnerships: Andy Straus would like an online Partnership Desk. He will need to have the Partnership Desk at the Tournament staffed throughout the day and will coordinate with Kathy Venton for volunteers.
8. Transportation/Parking: Jim Leuker will be working with Lauren Friedman and Bill Sumner. Public transit will be encouraged with parking rates around $50/day at the hotel and $23/ at the public lot across the street. Jim will research other lots in the area. The Marriott is one block from the Powell Street BART station. Games will be scheduled at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in order to allow players to take the last train home. Jim will research exactly when the last trains will leave SF. A car can be left one night at a BART parking area. Bruce suggested a large poster with transportation options. The hotel will also be able to furnish information. Members emphasized that all advertising should stress that BART is a good way to come in from the airport. Jim will also be coordinating with Tours/Special Events to provide buses. He will be talking to the SF Parking Commission to see what options are available. It was suggested that if Fundraising is successful, discount certificates for parking might be made available for players.
9. Program/Restaurant Guide: Joyce Hart has been in touch with many of the restaurants within walking distance of the Marriott. She showed the committee a business card she had had made up including the SF NABC logo to use when approaching businesses. Nancy Ferguson volunteered to print up cards including the logo for committee members to use in their presentations. Joyce also displayed a photo montage of restaurants that may be used as the cover for the Program. There will be a map included in the program. She will be working in concert with Corporate Sponsors to solicit advertising for the Program. Joyce noted that it is very possible to eat well for under $15/meal in the area. A variety of prices and types of dining will be included. Joyce will be hostessing a Restaurant Desk where dinner reservations can be arranged for players. Dining reservations can also be made online at opentables.com.
10. Pre-Tournament Entertainment: Jill Wood explained that the National Board of Directors arrives in SF three days ahead of the NABC and the SF NABC Committee provides tours and activities. She is considering one day at Alcatraz and lunch at the Farmers’ Market at Ferry Plaza, one at the new DeYoung Museum with a box lunch, another with a tour of Chinatown and with lunch at a Chinese restaurant, and possibly one with a tour of shopping outlets and a walking tour. It will be determined whether ACBL or the SF NABC Committee is responsible for the cost of these tours.
11. Intermediate/Novice: Terry Terzian will be assembling a team to reach out to each Unit promoting events to new players. He will be working with bridge teachers to encourage new players to attend. I/N prizes were discussed. Terry will be in charge of the I/N table throughout the Tournament. It was suggested information be posted on Craigs’List. ACBL determines the I/N schedule. 0 – 5 players will play free on Saturday afternoon.
12. Registration: Katherine Ewing showed the Committee several samples of possible Registration gifts including small enamel boxes of the Golden Gate Bridge and Cable Car and a gold embossed glass platter. ACBL allots $3 per Registration gift and anything above that is picked by the SF NABC. The committee suggested luggage tags, Ghiradelli chocolates, scotch tape holders, a traveling alarm clock and a bottle cork with a Golden Gate bridge on top. Denver gave the popular Sacajewea silver dollars from the Denver mint. All committee members are encouraged to bring their favorite registration gift ideas to the September meeting. Section top prizes are determined by ACBL.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The next meeting of the SF Fall 07 NABC will be held between sessions on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at the Hyatt Hotel, Santa Clara.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kirk, Secretary