RLPSA Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes for
November 3-4, 2015
Location: La Cantera Hill Country Resort
In Attendance: Rob Holm, Van Carney, Scott Elkins, David Johnston, Michael Loox, Rocco Prate,
Tamara Wasserman and Jim Forlenza.
Not Attending: Anne Sullivan
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order on November 3, at 8:25am.
2. 2015 Final Financial Documents: The Board reviewed the final numbers for the 2015 budget
year. Final revenue and net revenue was up. The event exceeded budgeted net revenue by 7%
and overall, the association had a better than 20% increase above projected net revenue.
3. 2016 Conference Updates: Forlenza and Prate updated the Board on the developments for the
2016 conference plans. General and Breakout Sessions that the Planning Committee is
developing were revealed, as were thoughts on keynote topics and speakers. A special designated
track for Safety topics was agreed upon. The Board also approved the Tuesday Night Dinner at
the Alamo. Forlenza reported exhibit space was running ahead of 2015, although it is likely not
as many exhibit booths will fit in the facility as in 2015. Discussions were held on ways to
improve both traffic in the exhibit hall and it was agreed to move the luncheon to a separate area
rather than host the lunch within the exhibit hall – freeing up additional exhibit space but also
create true exhibit only hours without competing with lunch. Discussion was also held to
determine the elimination of the Spotlight Theater for 2016. Elkins, Wasserman and Sullivan will
continue to survey exhibitors for other ideas. The Board voted to name the San Antonio
Foodbank as beneficiary of the 2016 Conference charity efforts. The Board voted to continue
research into a formal spouse program for the 2016 Conference.
4. Marketing Updates: Amber Bradley, called into the meeting and gave an overview of 2015
marketing activities and outlined a plan for 2016 – continuing further development of the Today’s
Dish, Blog and video series that was implemented in 2015. Amber has suggested working closer
with the Marketing & Membership committee to strengthen their efforts to reach out to more
franchise member opportunities. Bradley and Forlenza also presented the need to re-develop the
current website – in particular the back-end administrative portion which is outdated and limited.
This upgrade is included in the proposed 2016 budget. Other items discussed included: creating a
history of NFSSC/RLPSA that can be captured in both filing efforts, on the website and in
promotions; utilizing Facebook; reconfiguring the Member Exchange procedure by possible
moving from the website to LinkedIn.
5. Committee Updates:
a. Marketing & Membership: The Committee has followed through on the promotional
video and franchise flyer. Future efforts include looking into a potential Restaurant LP
certification in cooperation with LPF. Johnston will reach out to LPF and look to set a
meeting for future discussions.
b. Program Committee: The Committee will work in-coordination with the M&M
committee on certification research. The group also continues to explore a member alert
systems – in particular looking at a program involving the RLPSA Twitter group.
c. Safety Committee: The Committee is working on a safety survey that will dig deeper
into the findings of the general member survey taken earlier this year. The committee
also continues its efforts to develop topics for the 2016 conference. A sub-group
continues to work on a safety video in conjunction with Domino’s.
d. Proposed Committee: Holm had requested of Elkins and Wasserman to consider the
development of a future Service Provider or Exhibitor Committee to aide in future efforts
such as exhibit floor activity.
6. Board Terms: Due to the mid-term departure of a previous Board Member, three new Board
members were elected for 2016. However, the Board wishes to avoid having a 3-on/3-off
rotation for future Boards. Therefore, David Johnston, volunteered to serve a two-year Board
term to keep in compliance with the Board rotation per RLPSA By-Laws.
7. RLPSA Awards: The Board voted to waive the one-year term limit for the Salute to excellence
Award – opening the award to past achievements. The Board also voted to add an Achievement
Award – recognizing past accomplishments in the Restaurant LP industry. The award does not
have to be an annual award. The Program Committee will work with the Planning Committee to
determine the best time/place to present the awards (i.e., The Alamo dinner).
8. Liaison Committee Financial Participation: The Board voted to include Liaison Board Members
in future budget planning and financial discussions.
9. Non-Disclosure Agreements: All Board members, including Liaison Board Memebers, were
presented with a Non-Disclosure Agreement for signature. This agreement is to ensure the
confidentiality of financial information related to the budget planning and any association-related
financial discussions. Board members are required to send signed agreements into the association.
.
10. Membership: The Board discussed future member recruitment activities and the timing of a dues
increase. The decision was made not to introduce a dues increase for 2016 but the Board will
continue to monitor the concept as expenses continue to rise. A dues increase has not been
implemented since 2009. The Board also agreed to develop an Associate Member Resource
guide as a further benefit to Associate Members. The guide will be added to the website for
reference of restaurant members looking for products and services.
11. 2018 Annual Meeting: The Board discussed possible destinations for 2018. Among those to be
researched include: Atlanta, Charlotte, Louisville, Nashville, Minneapolis
12. 2016 Budget/Finances: Forlenza presented the draft 2016 budget. Minor changes were made to
the exhibit revenue (accounting for the newly created exhibit space). The Board also would like
to include the one-day workshops as part of the overall budget and not as a separate budget
account. The Board voted on an agreed to transfer excess funds from the Association’s
Checking Account to the Saving Account, as well as to discuss future transfer of funds from
Checking account if said account exceeds $250,000 to remain in line with current FDIC standards
of practice.
13. Site Visit: The Board toured the La Cantera Resort to review locations and space use for the
2016 conference.
14. Adjournment: The Board meeting ended at 11:15am, on November 4.
15. Next Meeting: December TBD