By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Spending downtown seems to be up, as the Tourism Committee of the Economic Development Board will hear on Thursday.

The committee will review a report to the City Council that highlights downtown sales tax as a measurement of tourism.

The panel also will review a semi-annual marketing report for July through December 2012 prepared by city tourism consultant Wolf Communications.

In a report from Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani to City Manager Brad Kilger for the Council’s Feb. 19 meeting, downtown sales tax revenue is charted from 2007 to the second quarter of 2012.

According to the report, the second quarter of 2012 had the highest sales tax revenue since 2007, before the recession. One chart, prepared by city staff, shows 5.33 percent growth between the second quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012.

City Hall was closed Tuesday for President Lincoln’s Birthday and city officials were unavailable for comment.

Also Thursday, Jack Wolf, president of Wolf Communications, will review some of the highlights of the tourism campaign that occurred during the third and fourth quarters of 2012, including advertising and public relations efforts. Wolf will give his semi-annual presentation to the Council on Feb. 19.

In the third and fourth quarters last year, Wolf’s report shows, the consultant began creating video blogs for additional variety to content created for the website, Facebook page, YouTube channel and other media.

Wolf has also continued to pitch Benicia story ideas to journalists and helped promote newsworthy events through news releases, blogs and newsletters, according to his report.

According to the committee agenda, the city’s most recent contract with Wolf Communications, valued at $50,000, was approved in June 2012. It is the third contract between the consultant and the city since 2009; the value of all three is $380,000.

Other items that may be up for discussion are committee updates and representation reports. New retail businesses that will be highlighted are Smoke 4 Less and Benicia 76, both on Military East.

If You Go
The Tourism Committee of the Economic Development Board will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in Room 2 at the Community Center, 370 East L St.

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