HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Tourism Advisory Commission - 12/15/2025MINUTES
ORO VALLEY TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
December 15, 2025
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair D'Angelo called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Christopher DeSimone, Commissioner
Malarie Puggioni, Commissioner
Mark Van Buren, Commissioner
Sasha Case, Vice Chair
Tony D'Angelo, Chair
Staff Present: Crystal Franke, Destination Marketing Manager
Paul Melcher, Community and Economic Development Director
Attendees: Mary Murphy, Town Council Liaison
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair D'Angelo led the commission and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO AUDIENCE
The following individuals spoke during Call to Audience.
- President and CEO of Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) Danette Bewley spoke on collaborating and sharing data
with the TAA related to Oro Valley tourism.
- Chief Communications Officer Austin Wright, also with the TAA, reiterated the importance of collaboration and a
strong relationship with Oro Valley tourism.
COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS
Council Liaison Mary Murphy reported on the recent volunteer reception dinner at Hilton El Conquistador, the OV
Path Forward general plan, Hot Cocoa run on January 1, the Northwest Recharge Recovery Delivery System
(NWRRDS), and the Oro Valley Marketplace redevelopment project.
*REPORTS ON CURRENT TOURISM EVENTS
Each commissioner shared tourism events they recently attended.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
December 15, 2025 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 1
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
1.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2025 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Mark Van Buren, seconded by Vice Chair Sasha Case to approve the
November 17, 2025 meeting minutes as written.
Vote: 5 - 0 Carried
2.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION 2026 MEETING DATES
Motion by Commissioner Christopher DeSimone, seconded by Vice Chair Sasha Case to approve the
2026 meeting dates schedule, with a possible change to the March 16, 2026 meeting date.
Vote: 5 - 0 Carried
3.REVIEW OF THE DRAFT ORO VALLEY LEISURE TRAVEL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher advised that he would be tracking the
commissioner's comments on this item, with the intent of reporting to the Town Council work session on
January 28, 2026.
Richard Cutting-Miller with CSL International, shared a presentation via Zoom that included the
following:
- Today's objective
- 1. Executive Summary
- 2. Understanding Oro Valley as a Leisure Tourism Destination
- 3. Crafting the Leisure Travel Destination Management Plan
- 4. Recommendations and Action Plans
- 5. Big Ideas and Action Plans
- 6. Implementation
- 7. Explore Oro Valley
- Next Steps
Discussion ensued among the Commission, staff and Mr. Cutting-Miller throughout the presentation.
There were three speakers with public comment:
- Austin Wright (completed a blue card, but had left before he was called).
- Shelby Francom stated for the record that the Hilton El Conquistador Resort has not received any
monetary refunds or support in the form of master account credits, familiarization tour or trade show
monies.
- Oro Valley resident Ghee Alexander emphasized the importance of Return on Investment (ROI).
Further discussion ensued among the commission, staff and Mr. Cutting-Miller.
4.DISCUSSION REGARDING ORO VALLEY DESTINATION MARKETING PROJECT AND OPERATIONS
UPDATES INCLUDING CURRENT PROGRESS ON THE EXPLOREOV WEBSITE, EXPLOREOV
WEBSITE AND APPLICATION PERFORMANCE, MARKETING, SPECIAL EVENTS SUMMARIES OF
THOSE THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE OCTOBER 1, 2025, A LIST OF FUTURE EVENTS, AND A
SUMMARY OF SPORTING EVENTS LEADS
Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Franke provided a presentation that included the following:
December 15, 2025 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 2
Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Franke provided a presentation that included the following:
- Explore Oro Valley App Analytics
- Explore Oro Valley QR Code distribution
- Explore Oro Valley Analytics
- Marketing & Communications
- Events Overview
Discussion ensued among the Commission and staff.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Christopher DeSimone, seconded by Commissioner Mark Van Buren to
adjourn the meeting.
Chair D'Angelo adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m.
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the
Town of Oro Valley Tourism Advisory Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 15th day of December 2025.
I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
______________________________________
Jeanna Ancona
Senior Office Specialist
December 15, 2025 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 3