Since February 27, 2018, several reports have been placed on Council agenda related to the City’s contracts regarding the Convention Center and the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Below is a quick summary of City Council Action. 

Full staff reports and video links are available to view on the Agenda Reports/Documents.

April 9, 2019 – Governance Model for a Convention-Visitors Bureau (CVB)

Discussion regarding the governance, oversight and funding for a new CVB. Direction was provided to the City Manager to proceed with the formation of a new destination marketing organization. Progress update be provided to City Council at future Council meeting.

April 9, 2019 – TID Assessment

City Council approved the Annual Report for the Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District and adopted Resolution of Intention to levy and collect assessments with the TID. The Public Hearing is set for May 21, 2019.

February 5, 2019

On February 5, 2019, the City Council City Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Global Spectrum L.P dba Spectra Venue Management (Spectra) for the management and operation of the Santa Clara Convention Center. The scope of the Management Agreement did not include the provision of convention and visitor services. Understanding that Spectra would not provide the CVB services through its agreement, concurrently the Council approved an Amendment No. 2 to an Agreement with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), to interface with the Tourism Improvement District (TID) to discuss potential governance and operating models of a possible new destination marketing organization (DMO or CVB) that would work closely with the Convention Center and TID to provide convention and visitor services in Santa Clara.

November 27, 2018 - TID Audit

TAP International presented its audit findings of the Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District (TID).

November 15, 2018 - Governance and Visioning Workshop 

The City of Santa Clara held a Governance and Visioning Workshop on Nov. 15 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Feedback from all community engagement efforts has been made available to the potential operator, the panel who reviewed the proposals, and the City Council that will award a contract.

October 9, 2018

At Council’s direction, staff issued a 180-day termination notice and has developed a recommended procurement strategy for a contract award to manage the Convention Center and related sales and marketing services. To provide a fair opportunity to participants through a competitive process for the award of this contract, staff recommended approval of procurement process integrity and conflict of interest guidelines.

September 18, 2018

The City of Santa Clara provided notice of termination of Management Agreement for the Santa Clara Convention Center to the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce.

September 11, 2018

Informational Report on the Status of Tourism Improvement District Financial Audit.

August 28, 2018

Public Hearing: Action on the Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District (TID)
A public hearing was held to allow lodging businesses subject to the assessment an opportunity
to submit comments, voice concerns, and protest the assessment.

August 21, 2018 – Information Report regarding Convention Center Management Agreement and CVB Agreement

Information Report provides Council with an update on issues. The performance audit process, and preliminary findings, of the Convention Center and CVB have revealed that the operation and funding of the TID are interwoven in the financial and operational structure of the Convention Center and CVB. Staff will be returning to Council on August 28, 2018 to request augmentation of the TAP International contract to include a financial audit of the TID.

July 16, 2018 – Information Report regarding Convention Center Management Agreement and CVB Agreement

Information Report provides Council with an update on issues to be placed on an August or September City Council agenda for further action.  Two of Council’s previous actions require more clarity on the governance structure for and legal authority of oversight of the Convention Center.

June 26, 2018 – Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) Annual Agreement

In addition to the discussion of the Chamber’s request to fund a FY18/19 contract with the Chamber for CVB services, staff provided an update on previous Council direction including the commencement of a performance audit by TAP International.  Preliminary audit observations were reported (see below) and apparent inconsistencies between written records and federal tax filings were also disclosed.

Council action:  Council did not fund a $1.5 million request from the Chamber for convention and visitor service activity.  Directed the City Manager to: 1) provide funds to Chamber for the sole purpose of funding salaries and specific related costs for up to 60 days; 2) retain JLL to assist the City in the development of options for the provision of convention and visitor services; and 3) obtain the return reserve funds from the Chamber to the City for the sole purpose of funding salaries.

Based upon the June 26, 2018 Council action, staff advised that there would be disruption in the delivery of convention and visitor services until an alternate service delivery method/provider  was identified and operational.

June 12, 2018 – Update on Previous Council Direction regarding Convention Center Status of CVB Agreement

Identified auditor and advised of Council of the status of Convention Center and CVB matters.

May 22, 2018 – Convention Center Management Fee

Council action:  Directed the City Manager and City Attorney to: 1) begin process of exploring a term sheet for a new agreement with the Chamber for their management of the Convention Center; 2) begin process to execute a financial and performance audit; and 3) suspend management fee until such time as completed.