High Gear, July 11 2016

Posted by Rosalie McCloud
 
Today's speaker was Anne LeClair, President and CEO of the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.There were signs this was going to be a fun meeting.  An interesting group of guests began arriving, we had really good attendance, and President Stan was his usual bubbly self.
 

 

PLEDGE, INVOCATION & GUESTS

Stephanie Lichaa, John Delaney and Mark Johnson manned the greeting table for today's meeting.
 
Former President and Debunking scribe Dennis Zell was invited to lead the pledge.
 
Jennifer Pence graced us with an invocation.
 
 

 

GUESTS & VISITING ROTARIANS

Doug McGeorge introduced guests including Mrs. Doug, Jan Petty, Mrs. Stan, Mary Moore, Doug’s son Matt, and Larry Lyons of Napa, known to many of us for his Peninsula community activities.  
 
Introduced by Ted Kruttschnitt was our speaker, Ms. Anne LeClair, President and CEO of the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.Sean Williams introduced his colleague Ashley Keightley, CPM, Asset Manager of G. W. Williams Co.
 
No visiting Rotarians.  Something we said?  Grab a passport and come on up!
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

While President Stan has the catchy, but unoriginal, motto “Make Rotary Great Again,” Fritz Brauner has been pronounced the “Fun Master.”  Fritz acknowledged the well-deserved smattering of applause this announcement elicited. His accomplices will be Sean Williams, Joy Aud, and Emily Matthews. Should you have suggestions for this quartet of merrymakers, please email Emily Matthews:  emily@nolamarketing.com.
 
Fritz promises to “Make Rotary Fun Again.”  It was remarked that a meeting that starts with a salad is not fun!  Be afraid, very afraid.
 
Mark Johnson recognized John Delaney for his  7/11 Birthday.  Bows were taken.  Happy Birthday, and how about joining President Stan’s President’s Club?   Mr. Delaney handed a check over immediately like the nice banker he is.  John is one year past a half century.
 
Turns out Julius Aires celebrated his birthday just last week.   Julius admitted to three score plus 16. As an afterthought, Jim Shypertt was wished a Happy Birthday as well.  Seriously, which one of those three can we not do without!!!
 
Mark Johnson once again acknowledged his debunking production team which included all but four people in the club it seems.
 
 

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER

Ted introduced speaker Anne LeClair, President and CEO of the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Anne Is one of the first three members of San Mateo Rotary.  According to Ted, Anne has a fetish for cross-dressing, and is the definition of a Type A personality.  Pete Wanger, a reformed, former member of the San Mateo Club was asked to verify Ted’s comments.  No dummy, Pete abstained. It is reported  Anne’s husband, Jim, sleeps with one eye open.  The reason was not shared, but probably a wise cautionary move when you live with a whirlwind. Ted says Anne’s reputation is one of character, integrity, and reputation. Wow! Why doesn’t she run for political office? Again…she has character, integrity, and reputation.  Not a good fit.
 

TODAY'S SPEAKER - ANNE LE CLAIR

Anne and President Stan have known each other for years, Stan having managed the Marriott Burlingame for years. There is apparently truth to the rumor that Stan Moore voted against Anne being placed in her position.  All is in the past.
 
Anne shared that Stan has nutrition issues, and he is banned from eating Cheetos at home. Ergo, his Cheetos habit is indulged in his office.  If you see a bright orange trail…Stan was complimented on how he maneuvered through his bumpy start at Marriott dealing with 9/11, then SARS, then a recession.  Good training for his Rotary presidency.
 
Burlingame City Manager Lisa Goldman was acknowledged for the excellent condition of our City. A great help comes from Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT), which in 2016-2017 is expected to total $25.2 million.  By comparison, the TOT in 2008-2009 was $10.2  million.
 
There is average revenue of $351.00 per day per guest, a nice portion of which is spent in downtown Burlingame.  Burlingame participates by subsidizing the Burlingame Trolley in an amount of $50,000 annually.  Some 30,000 people visit Burlingame annually, for its proximity to San Francisco International Airport, proximity to The City, and its scenic beauty.  The number one reason for return is our scenic beauty. Our Bayfront is a huge draw. It is so important that ye olde Hilton has incorporated the Bayfront in its name: Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront.
 
Anne acknowledged Burlingame City Manager Lisa Goldman’s team as “super helpful.” The revenue from the Film Commission is considerable.  They pay $100,000/day to film whatever locations they need for films and commercials.  Hotels hope for gorgeous weather, ideal for filming, then pray for rain to follow immediately so the crews will relax and “order in” to maximize revenue.
 
Always the salesperson, Anne reminded that she would be happy to hear of any convention business of which we might be aware. The Visitors and Convention Bureau will take it from there. Anne thanked Charles Voltz for referring her to the Pen Convention. They had an excellent experience, so will be repeating.  Pen Convention?   Yes, pens are a big collector’s item.
 
Interestingly, the mid-Peninsula suffers from a lack of entertainment activities and venues.   Anne mentioned a venue called “Top Golf” which is located in several areas of the United States. This is a high-tech golfing range with all the restaurants, bars, fun things to keep visitors there.   Rain or shine, it’s a party.  They have ways of cooling or heating the area as necessary.
 
Entertainment is figuring heavily in the redevelopment of Hillsdale Shopping Center to draw online shoppers into the stores. Thanks, Anne, for being a fabulous ambassador for San Mateo County and Silicon Valley.
 
 

More photos to share...

 
   
Our brilliant debunking writer Mr. Dennis Zell Dennis as a young boy. He hasn't changed much!
The one and only Jim Shypertt...our official photographer. Doug McGeorge, Jan Petty, and Doug’s son Matt.