Please read the description below and if you think you can l
end a hand\, please apply!
\nPlease note\, the deadline to ap
ply is 5 pm July 10th!!
City of Sedona opens applications
for a Tourism Advisory Board
\nIn an effort to solicit a range of co
mmunity perspectives around the topic of tourism in Sedona\, the City of S
edona seeks applicants for a new Tourism Advisory Board (TAB). This volunt
ary body\, vetted and chosen by City Council\, will consist of 11-people a
ppointed to advise the Council and staff on decisions related to tourism s
trategic planning\, branding and marketing\, visitor management programs\,
regional tourism efforts and any other tourism related matters assigned t
o it by the city council.
Through the development of an in-house c ity tourism program and the work of the TAB\, city council intends to supp ort tourism to ensure a healthy economy but also balance business needs wi th resident quality of life. During 2021 and 2022\, with the rapid increas e in visitation to Sedona and the associated impacts\, the city council pa used funding for destination marketing and refocused its efforts towards t ourism management and mitigation. As the Sedona economy has softened somew hat over the last year\, additional strategies for both targeted destinati on branding and marketing\, and responsible destination management and env ironmental stewardship must be explored.
\n“This group has a unique opportunity to play an instrumental role in creating a destination marketi ng and management program that considers and addresses today’s tourism cha llenges. Approaches that may have worked historically should not be assume d to be the right ones for the future. We look forward to convening this g roup by early fall and getting started on this important work\,” said City Manager Karen Osburn.
\nBackground
\nIn Spring 2023\, the Sedo
na Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau informed the city they did not p
lan to renew the current contract for tourism management and marketing ser
vices. Soon after\, city council designated the city of Sedona government
as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) with the Arizona
Office of Tourism and directed staff to develop a new municipal tourism ma
nagement program. As this program is built out\, a beginning step is to cr
eate a TAB as one method to ensure that the voices and perspectives of all
community stakeholders and stakeholder groups are equally and fairly repr
esented in future conversations regarding tourism and tourism related goal
s and actions.
Board details and application process
\nThe TA
B should represent a broad diversity in representation\, perspectives and
opinions. Applicants should be at least one of the following: a Sedona res
ident\, own or operate a business within the city limits or represent an o
rganization serving the community.
At least initially\, this group is expected to meet monthly starting in the fall. Over time as the initia l work lessens\, meetings could transition to being held quarterly. It is also anticipated that subcommittees may be formed to tackle specific issue s and/or special meetings may periodically be needed. Meetings will be sub ject to Open Meeting Law requirements with agendas posted ahead of time\, and meetings broadcast live and recorded for full transparency. TAB terms will be a mix of two or four years in length.
\nApplications may be picked up at the City Clerk’s office\, at 102 Roadrunner Dr. or by accessi ng this fillable PDF version. Return completed applications to the City Cl erk’s Office or via email at cityclerksdept@sedonaaz.gov no later than 5 p .m. on July 10\, 2023.
\nOnce the application deadline closes\, city council will review applications and schedule in-person interviews.
\nMore information
\nLearn more about the TAB responsibilities by co
ntacting City Manager Karen Osburn (928) 203-5067 or kosburn@sedonaaz.gov.