by Kimberly Adams
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad City Council last week voted unanimously to deny the marketing contract recommendation by the Trinidad Tourism Board after discussing the issue at length March 10 during a work session.
Tourism board members Fred Vaugeois and Pat Patrick appeared before the city council last month to recommend marketing firm ZIV, LLC of Kansas who also has an office located in Boulder. The firm came out ahead of a business from Texas with local ties, and Square One, Inc. of Trinidad. Cy Michaels is the chairman of the tourism board
Mayor Pro Tem Carol Bolton asked Vaugeois and Patrick why the local firm was not picked during the March work session. The two tourism board members explained all three applicants were considered equally. A score sheet for the three applicants was utilized and each company was given a one-on-one interview, where all were asked the same questions. Vaugeois and Patrick also noted the tourism board adhered to the city’s RFP (Request for Proposals) process.
The one-year tourism marketing contract, a $150,000 expenditure item, is funded by the city lodging tax. HessArts of Trinidad previously held the marketing contract, but ended it with the city and the tourism board towards the end of 2014.
City council member Anthony Mattie was curious to know why ZIV, LLC was picked over the other two marketing contract applicants. Vaugeois cited professionalism and field of knowledge as their basis.
In review of the contract, it mentions branding and festivals as responsibilities of the contract holder. Bolton questioned if those duties conflict with other local boards and non-profits such as the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone wants to do branding for Trinidad,” Vaugeois said in response.
Council member Pat Fletcher said at the work session she had a hard time finding the ZIV, LLC business on the internet. The company was formerly known as Boxspring Design until December 2014 according to the company’s Twitter account. The company’s website is letsziv.com.
