Agenda

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Item # 14.

Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	10/13/2020
Department:	Economic Development
Pillars:	Innovation in Entrepreneurship & Business
Milestones:	Leverage Addison's assets to grow and expand placemaking business programs and events that will set Addison apart to attract talent and businesses

AGENDA CAPTION:

Consider Action on a Resolution to Approve a Contract with The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth for Consulting Services and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000.

BACKGROUND:

Over the last few years, the Town of Addison has maintained a formal agreement with the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Dallas/Fort Worth. In the initial years, WAC provided support to the Town to enhance its efforts with World Fest. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, the focus of WAC's efforts evolved to provide support in enhancing the Town's international business development efforts.

The management of the agreement falls under the purview of the Economic Development and Tourism Department. A request is being made for approval of the FY 2021 agreement with WAC for an amount not to exceed $60,000. The agreement includes an amount of $50,000 to cover deliverables highlighted in the agreement, plus an annual amount of $10,000 to be utilized for marketing and venue costs for events hosted in Addison.

The World Affairs Council successfully completed the deliverables in the FY 2020 agreement and provided quarterly reports to staff. The reports were shared with Mayor Joe Chow, Mayor Pro Tempore Lori Ward, and Council Member Ivan Hughes who serve as the Council Liaisons to the World Affairs Council.

The scope of services in the FY 2021 Agreement are almost the same as in the FY 2020 Agreement with slight adjustments made for virtual events to promote social distancing in light of the current pandemic. Successful completion of the scope of services makes the group eligible for quarterly payments from the Town of Addison. The scope of services include:

1. International Promotion and Business Development:

Assist Addison in strengthening its International Business Focus.
Work with Addison to maintain and strengthen its relationship with former Spotlight countries and forge new relationships with targeted countries.
Assist Addison to develop a strategy on marketing its airport to international business.
Plan, organize, execute and co-host two (2) forums/luncheons in Addison or virtual high-profile events with Addison as a major sponsor focused on a relevant international business topic.

2. Entrepreneur Development:

Recommend the Addison TreeHouse as a regional entrepreneur resource center to international entrepreneurs/groups interested in the North Texas Start-up Community.
Work with Town staff to include their business resources and city council members in “virtual” visits of delegates from the International Visitor Leadership Program sponsored by the State Department. The goal is to showcase Addison’s international image and outreach.

3. Provide Town of Addison with opportunities to participate in international events:

Make recommendations on events that would be appropriate for Addison City Council to attend including virtual events.
Provide passes to Town of Addison to such events.
Recognize City Council present at events from podium where appropriate.

4. Feature the Town of Addison as a Strategic Partner:

Recognize Addison as a partner on World Affairs Council website.
Recognize Addison as a partner in designated events hosted by World Affairs Council

5. Consulting Services:

Provide consulting services on how to respond to issues having an international focus.
Provide cultural consulting awareness services on how to appropriately address dignitaries from particular countries.
Explore the opportunity to plan a new authentic German program element for the Town’s annual Oktoberfest event in collaboration with the German Consulate in Texas.

The total annual funding amount was approved in the FY 2021 Budget as part of the Economic Development & Tourism Department annual budget paid out of the Hotel Fund.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval.

Attachments
Resolution - Funding Agreement with World Affairs Council