Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

Item # 11.

Council Meeting 2023

Meeting Date:	10/25/2022
Department:	Economic Development
Pillars:	Innovation in Entrepreneurship & Business Optimize the Addison Brand
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 Approving an Agreement for Funding Between the Town of Addison and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and Authorizing 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 and international protocol consulting services.

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 2023 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 completed the deliverables in the FY 2022 agreement and provided quarterly reports to staff. This was the first full year of Liz Brailsford’s tenure as the new president of the World Affairs Council, and she values the relationship the Council has with the Town of Addison.

The scope of the services in the FY 2023 Agreement are similar to the FY 2022 Agreement. The proposed scope of services highlighted in the FY 2023 Agreement include the following:

International Promotion and Business Development:
1. Assist Addison in strengthening its International Business Focus.
2. Work with Addison to maintain and strengthen existing relationships and forge new relationships with targeted countries.
3. Assist Addison to develop strategy on marketing its airport to international businesses.
4. Plan, organize, execute and co-host at least two (2) forums/luncheons in Addison unless current COVID-19 conditions or group gathering restrictions prevent such events from being held. In lieu of such events, significant virtual events with Addison as a high-profile participant, through actual participation or major sponsorship, focused on a relevant international business topic will be held.

Entrepreneur Development:
1. Recommend Addison as a prime location for international entrepreneurs/groups to launch a start-up.
2. 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.

Provide Town of Addison with opportunities to participate in international events:
1. Make recommendations on events that would be appropriate for Addison City Council to attend including virtual events.
2. Provide passes to Town of Addison to such events.
3. Recognize City Council present at events from podium where appropriate.

Feature the Town of Addison as a Strategic Partner:
1. Recognize Addison as a partner on World Affairs Council website.
2. Recognize Addison as a partner in designated events hosted by World Affairs Council.

Consulting Services:
1. Provide consulting services on how to respond to issues having an international focus.
2. Provide cultural consulting awareness services on how to appropriately address dignitaries from particular countries.
3. 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 or the German American Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed scope of services was shared with Council Member Lori Ward, who serves as the liaison to the group, for her review prior to the development of the agreement. The total annual funding amount was approved in the FY 2023 Budget as part of the Economic Development & Tourism Department annual budget paid out of the Hotel Fund.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval.

Attachments
Resolution - World Affairs Council Agreement