HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2006 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.T. .4�VALM S,M
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C,qt CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2006 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: CONFIRMATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, PURSUANT TO
AGREEMENT NO. A4992 WITH SMG
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Assistant City Manager—Administrative Services
SUMMARY
The City has heretofore entered into an agreement with SMG for Tourism Services.
Pursuant to this agreement, any change in the Director of Tourism must be confirmed
by the City Council. Due to the resignation of the Director of Tourism, SMG, in
conjunction with an Advisory Committee consisting of ten stakeholders and two
members of the City Council, interviewed prospective candidates and have selected an
individual for this position. This action will confirm the Advisory Committee's
appointment of Mary Jo Ginther as the new Director of Tourism.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt Minute Order No. Confirming Mary Jo Ginther as the Director of
Tourism pursuant to Article 4 of Agreement No. A4992 with SMG.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The City has entered into an agreement with SMG to provide tourism services. Under
this agreement, SMG is responsible for hiring a Director of Tourism to manage and
oversee the operations of the Tourism Bureau. This past summer, the Director of
Tourism, Mark Bellinger, tendered his resignation. In response, SMG conducted an
exhaustive nationwide search for a new Director of Tourism.
In September, SMG, in conjunction with a 12-member Advisory Committee consisting of
hospitality stakeholders and two City Councilmembers (Oden and Pougnet), interviewed
prospective candidates for the position. Based on these interviews, the Advisory
Committee is recommending the appointment of Mary Jo Ginther as the new Director of
Tourism.
ITEM NO. T
City Council Staff Report
(October 18, 2006) -- Page 2
Confirmation of New Director of Tourism
Ms. Ginther is currently the Club Manager at Mission Hills Country Club- She has over
twenty years of practical hotel experience with Hyatt Hotels. Before joining Mission
Hills, she was the General Manager at Hyatt Regency Suites, Palm Springs- Her
previous leadership responsibilities included Director of Operations at the Hyatt
Valencia and Director of Food and Beverage at Hyatt Regency Sacramento and Hyatt
Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia.
Ms. Ginther most recently served as the President of the Palm Springs Hotel and
Hospitality Association, and was an elected board member of the Hospitality Industry
Business Council, representing tourism leaders in the Coachella Valley . She was
awarded "General Manager of the Year" by the Palm Springs Convention and Visitors
,Authority for outstanding involvement in the tourism community
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana University and has
earned the title of Maitre de Restaurateur with the Confrerie de la Chaine des
Rotisseurs.
Pursuant to Article 4, Section 4.1, of the agreement with SMG, the City Council must
ratify any change in the position of Director of Tourism- The Advisory Committee
unanimously supports the appointment of Ms. Ginther as the Director of Tourism and
recommends City Council approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact. All costs associated with the appointment of a new Director of
Tourism are paid fully by SMG.
Tr utzlaffl A i tant City Manager David H- Ready, City-IA
Attachments:
1, Minute Order
MINUTE ORDER NO.
CONFIRMING MARY JO GINTHER AS THE DIRECTOR
OF TOURISM PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4 OF
AGREEMENT NO. A4992 WITH SMG.
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, hereby
certify that this Minute Order, Confirming Mary Jo Ginther as the Director of Tourism,
pursuant to Article 4 of Agreement No. A4992 with SMG, was approved by the City
Council of the City of Palm Springs, California at a meeting thereof, this 18th day of
October 2006.
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California