ITEM TITLE:
Approval of Budgeted Travel for Commissioner Colleen Stephens to Attend Cruise Industry Meetings in Miami.
SUBMITTED BY: Martha Barberio, Economic Development Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve budgeted travel.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
This approval is for Commissioner Colleen Stephens to join city staff in Miami to meet with scheduled cruise ship companies in April 2024. This is an opportunity for us to meet with cruise representatives and decision makers directly.
This will allow staff to re-connect with and establish new industry contacts and network seasonal issues. Because we have been out of the cruise industry for so long, we are rebuilding and re-connecting our relationships with the cruise industry.
Colleen is in a unique position, as she serves in leadership positions on various boards nationally, statewide and locally (EDC & Ports & Harbor commissions). She has the connections in the cruise industry and is willing to help make these introductions and facilitate meetings with many of these cruise lines. Colleen has been instrumental in Valdez Cruise Ship Operations for decades and has been effectively assisting staff with the recent return and growth.
Colleen has a successful history accompanying city staff and elected officials in similar cruise, travel, and trade missions.
These expenses were included in the Economic Development Department budget for 2024 and per Council’s adopted policies travel by a member of a Citizen Advisory Group for City of Valdez travel must be approved.