Thanks to Boyd Preston, our guest Editor this week!

President Brian Hayes called the meeting to order by leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Hoback led the prayer.

Brian’s announcements-

• His inspirational quote for today came from the writer Vivian Greene- “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain”.
• Brian shared a note from Mindy Cline, Principal of the Primary Village North school, thanking the club for our support of their Nature Program which was used to purchase boots for the participants.
• He wished a happy birthday to all Rotarians born in July and a happy anniversary to all those celebrating either a club or wedding anniversary.
• Brian informed the club that Peachy Metzner has unfortunately, had to resign from the club as health reasons are not allowing him to be as involved as he would like to be. He will continue to be available to help, as needed.
• Centerville Rotary’s 2021-22 pledge cards have arrived. Members are asked to help the club plan for this year by noting your individual or business donations for our 3 big upcoming projects. These are the 50^th anniversary project at Grant Park, our Pancake Day in October, and the golf outing in the spring of next year. Goals and cost estimates are included on the card. Brian asked each member to take 1 and think what he/ she may want to give. Completed cards can be returned to him.
• Ginger Clark reported the club donated $4000 last week for Operation Warm via Happy Bucks. This brought our total to date for the quarter to $4896, almost 50% of our $10,500 goal.
• Boyd introduced his returning guest, Larry Marchand who has decided to join our club.
• Boyd also shared that a service day will be held on September 9^th to support the 50^th Anniversary project. We will be collecting habitat seeds in the pollinator meadow at Bill Yeck Park from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. Sign-ups will start at a club meeting in mid-August.
• Next week’s speaker will be Shannon Schweitzer from the Lions Eye Bank, West Central Ohio.

Happy Bucks - “Operation Warm”- Pat Beckel was our Sergeant of Arms

• Ron H. kicked off donations as he was happy a friend is recovering from COVID.
• Frank- as usual, was happy to be here.
• Scott Kujawa- happy to be the club’s newest member.
• Boyd- glad Larry decided to join our club
• Bill M.- just happy
• David T.- happy to be here
• Lee – gave as he is still baling hay
• Dick H. – glad he is not baling hay
• Jim H. – gave for 5 coats and is happy with project’s progress.
• Susan S.- confirmed she is going to school this fall to earn her master’s degree in social work.
• Mark F.- had a successful company picnic/ luau for clients and staff
• Crissy A.- Looking forward to an upcoming visit of cousins and other company
• Jeff S.- paid his pledge from last week’s Happy Bucks
• Sofie- happy to be back and had a great trip to Belgium. Only had euros with her, so will pay next week.
• Mike W.- happy the project is coming together
• Gerry- just happy and happy Larry is joining us
• Brad T.- happy Sofie is back.
• Elda- happy a number of family members are coming to visit. She will be doing a lot of cooking
• Adam- glad to be sitting at the fun table.
• Pat gave as he was just happy plus he paid the fine he wanted to impose on Jeff S. for being mentioned in the latest Park District’s newsletter as their newest Board member. Jeff did state in the article that he was a proud member of our club and was wearing his rotary pin in his picture.

Program- our speakers were Kelli Donahoe, GM of the Dayton Convention Center (DCC) and Jacquelyn Powell, President and CEO of the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau (Daytoncvb). Jacquelyn is a member of the Dayton Rotary Club.

Daytoncvb (Jacquelyn)-

• Serves all of Montgomery County
• It is an economic development organization funded from the county’s lodging tax.
• They work to bring in outside visitors and their spending
• Marketing Destination- Dayton area – targeting convention planners, youth & amateur sports, meeting planners, reunions, association groups, motorcoach group tours, among others
• How they work- Daytoncvb.com, free app, strong social media presence, attending conventions of planners and independent trade shows.
• Advertising- runs outside of Montgomery County via radio, billboards, digital advertising, meeting planners trade journals, etc.

• They strive to bring in overnight visitors which generates a greater economic impact
  • Average spending- $106 for a day trip vs $327 for overnight visitors
• COVID pandemic had a devastating impact on the local economy and their efforts. 88 groups/ conventions were canceled in 2020 and the Daytoncvb had a 50% drop in annual revenue. However, business is beginning to pick back up, but the important business travel is still slow. Some events have already rebooked, including the “First Four” college playoffs and our area’s largest impact event, the Winter Guard International competition, both of whom will be back in 2022.

• Given our interactions outside of Rotary with businesses and groups, Rotarians can help by sharing any potential opportunities with them for their follow-up.

DDC (Kelli):

• She is new to her job here and actually works for ASM Global, which is the company hired to provide management services for the center.
• Facility is expected to undergo a much-needed, multi-phase renovation. The budget will be around $35MM which will be funded from the recent increase in the county’s lodging tax and bonds.

• A master plan for the renovations will be shared in the coming months.

• Sales & Marketing plan- partner with Daytoncvb with a focus on hotels use to help drive economic development.
• Also plans are being worked to establish outstanding customer service.

Brian closed the meeting by leading the club in our 4 Way Test.