President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. PDG Harvey Smith provided the prayer.
Today’s quote: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” By Thomas Edison
President Manning thanked our greeters today, Dave Trout & Jim Stuart, welcomed our guest Vimbai Madani, and welcomed back Rotarians Vas Appalaneni and Larry Marchand.
Today’s Announcements:
- Check the email about upcoming service opportunities and respond to Kelly McDonald about how you can help.
- Pancake committee meets again next week 11 am; Pancake Day signup sheet is set out each week, so pick your work assignments now!
- Oct 24 is World polio Day; District 6670 invites all to Pints to End Polio on Friday, Oct 6, 5-8:30 pm at Southern Ohio Brewing on Factory Road in Beavercreek.
- Brian Hayes announced the invoices for Pancake Day have started going out and reminded all to pay your dues.
- Sofie Ameloot announced the Socials Committee is working on a new event in October. Stay tuned.
- Uriah Anderson announced today is the final day to sign up to be invoiced for Pancake tickets. Pick up your tickets to sell and sell, sell, sell!
Happy Bucks this quarter are going toward Hannah’s Treasure Chest for Operation Warm, providing winter coats to children in need. Our Sergeant at Arms today was Jim Stuart.
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Erich Eggers turned in his $1,000 check pledged last week. Thanks Erich!
- Ron Hollenbeck is back and had a good visit from his niece.
- Don Stewart was happy for the Browns success on the football field!
- Larry Marshand is glad to be back after 6 weeks of work responsibilities getting in the way.
- Adam Manning was happy to see Vas, Larry, and Boyd back!
- Sofie Ameloot gave an IOU saying it’s good to see Boyd back and her Mother-in-law is coming this afternoon.
- Boyd Preston said he is honored to belong to this club of very caring individuals, and he’s pleased to be here.
- Elda and Harvey also gave their $1,000 check pledged last week. Thanks Elda & Harvey!
- Jackie D’Aurora was happy.
- Dave Trout gave for Boyd’s return.
- Jim Harris for Boyd’s return, and for getting to escape the country to Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Rhine.
- Dale Berry for Operation Warm and Boyd’s return.
- Carol Kennard for Boyd’s return and that she will be gone the next two weeks.
- Ginger Clark announced the Fall Fest is coming up September 30, and they need volunteer help with parking & pouring beverages, expecting 14,000 people. Let Ginger know if you can help. 2 hour time slots, all day
- Vas Appalaneni was happy to be back.
- Wyatt Thorp for Don’s Browns win - as that’s the closest thing they’ll have for a Super Bowl.
- Chuck King for Boyd’s return, quipping he’s happy he didn’t have to buy a new brick!
- Kelly McDonald thanked those who have signed up for the service days. He is still collecting phone donations, will take them to Artemis next week.
Our program today was Pam Plageman, with the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority speaking on Innovation Taking Flight
Pam joined MCCFA in 2020 as Exec Director and is responsible for Dayton Convention Center and the major renovations happening now.
Pam talked about the excitement around the revitalization of the downtown Dayton area, including the Dayton Convention Center.
The renovations are slated to be done Q1 2025, but they have remained open for business while renovating.
Pam introduced the volunteer Board members, including Belinda Kenley, who was also here today.
Pam said in April 2021, they took over ownership of the DCC just as they were reopening after COVID. A new management company was hired. They are funded by a 3% tax paid by visitors to hotels and a 3% Dayton tax.
Pam is one of two employees. The Fiscal officer is contracted.
ASM Global is the new Professional Management Team tasked to create a seamless experience for everyone. All parts of the convention experience are now under one management.
LWC & LMN Architects were hired as the design team and Messer as the construction team. They held stakeholder meeting to get input for renovations. An Owner’s Rep was hired to manage the improvements.
First, the metal rotunda was removed, then restrooms renovated and escalators modernized. They have a $40 million budget that was originally $35 million but with cost escalations, they had to increase the budget.
The lobby refresh includes columns that can be projected upon - to show your logo.
Gem City Ballroom - adding a new ballroom off this, so the old ballroom will be flex space. The new ballroom is now part of the Exhibit Space and will include new ceilings with color changing lighting. But can open up and still use as exhibit space.
Exhibit Hall had a design flaw - no electric/data in the floor but instead drops from the ceiling. $1.1 million to trench the floor and reseal.
3rd floor VIP suite footprint is expanding with an operable glass wall that can open up.
The theatre will get a refresh - they are currently soliciting sponsorships/naming rights.
They own the skywalk over 5th street, and although the other one belongs to the city, they are working together to refresh both.
The front of the DCC will be more park-like setting, more inviting, and better security. And they are adding a 2nd floor terrace to create more outdoor space. Drop off will now be curbside and they will add plants with seasonal color, that are easy to maintain.
Impact of investment: $13 million economic impact projected & will also create new jobs. This is part of a countywide collaboration to drive economic impact.
Added new furniture collections, tech friendly with plug ins. Bleacher seating can be tucked away for more open space. They are doing away with table skirts and using catering carts with multiple layers. Adding digital screens to improve wayfinding.
Pam said they worked with 14 business leaders to develop a 5 year Strategic Plan which identified these needs:
Hotels
Parking
Street aesthetics
The old Raddison hotel has new owners. They are having trouble with funding, and the debt left by the previous owner. MCCFA is working to gather partners together to help make it work and are also looking at other sites nearby for another hotel site.
They need 500 committable hotel rooms within 3 blocks of the DCC. The old Radisson has 287 rooms, but would only commit about half of those. They are working with a hotel consultant and developers to find more hotel space.
Adam Manning thanked Pam for the great update and announced next week’s program is For the Love of Children.
.png)
