Category: Administration

After a nationwide search, Brad Van Dommelen, current president of the Traverse City CVB in Michigan, has been selected as our next director at the CVB. He has been president of the Traverse City (MI) Convention & Visitors Bureau (Traverse City Tourism) since 2005 and before that, was senior vice president of strategic business development at the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. Under his leadership, the Traverse City Tourism organization received the “Best CVB in Michigan” award by the readers of Michigan Meetings & Events magazine an unprecedented six out of the last seven years.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Van Dommelen to the team!

CVB Director Jim Ricketts sat down with USAe News to discuss his accomplished career and future plans. You can read the story here.

City Manager Dave Hansen’s opening remarks

• Doug Smith is out today interviewing for Jim Ricketts replacement
• Merit pay system is going back into the budget. No details on requirements were discussed.
• City Council is in a good place and are appreciative of staffs’ work
• Dave suggested we should stay informed about Council’s positions on issues and support them when discussions are taking place with context to the City. Light rail was brought up as an example – as in the City supports light rail. It’s OK to have a personal position but the City’s position is in support of the project.
• There will be Council briefs on department budgets. Dave will be controlling most of the messaging. Budget is in better shape than we thought earlier.
• We have an aggressive legislative agenda in Richmond, and moving it forward is difficult. He said the lobbyist are effective and that we don’t have much clout. Dave stressed how different the environment is in Richmond.

 

Catheryn Whitesell introduced Nancy Glassman of Continental Research, the firm hired to conduct the City’s Citizen Satisfaction Survey every two years. Many of you have seen the results. Nancy was very encouraged.

Survey highlights:

• 19 of 30 City services ranked above 80% satisfaction rating
• 94% satisfied with services overall
• 46% of citizens learn info about the city on the web or email
• 95% of citizens thing VB is a good place to live
• Overall scores have hit a plateau this year. Not much higher to go.

 

Heidi Kulber, MD, MPH – Director Virginia Beach Health Department presented Advance Care Planning or ACP

• ACP allows for people to make their own plans, in advance, for the care you want when you reach a stage that you are no longer capable of deciding how you will be cared for.
• Advanced Directives, Living Wills, and Advanced Care Planning are all similar
• Less than 30% of adults have advance directives
• Short video on Advance Care 1 min 26 sec
• Interesting facts: in 1900 average age  at death was 47, today it is 78.8
• In 1900, 34% of people died of infection in 3-4 days
• Today people die of Heart Disease 25%, Cancer 23%, COPD 6% – All of these illness have treatments that can extend life.
• Making a plan for extended care is more important than ever.
• ACP can be as simple as downloading and completing forms from Sentara Health Care’s website, to more advanced legal documents.

 

Economic Development – Presented Virginia Beach’s Economic Platforms. Most can be found at http://www.yesvirginiabeach.com/

 

Questions for Dave

• Yes, a 4^th Deputy City Manager is planned
• The hiring freeze has been more like a Controlled Recruiting Activity
• Super Tuesday is next week. You must declare your party affiliation to vote.

 

Last Meeting

Standing ovation given to Chief Bruce Edwards, Director Virginia Beach EMS who is retiring after 40 years with the City.

I have three quick updates I would like to share.

First, Doug Smith is handling the hiring process for the new Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Searchwide has been hired as the executive search firm (http://searchwide.com/job/executive-director-4/). Searchwide will pre-screen applicants and send the list to Doug. At this point Doug is looking to have interviews the end of February.

Second, Tiffany Russell, our Director of Public Relations, will be our interim VP for Marketing and Research until the position can be filled. Mr. Smith has asked the department to hold off on hiring this position until a new director can be hired.

Third, CONGRATUALTIONS to the Virginia Beach Convention Center staff for hosting a wonderful 10th Anniversary Celebration. Without your hard work and dedication the VBCC would not be as successful as it is.

Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication.

Jim Ricketts
Director