Page 189 - Fort Worth City Budget 2019

Special Revenue Fund

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC) was named the 2018 Facility of the Year by The League of Agricultural
& Equine Centers. The League cited excellence in the management and operation of an equestrian/agricultural
center and facility improvements as key factors on selecting WRMC for the award.

Signature events held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in FY2018 included: National Cutting Horse Association
Triple Crown of Cutting, National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity and The Grand Prix of Fort
Worth which brought top level show jumping back to Fort Worth for the first time in over twenty years. The major
horse shows create millions of dollars of economic impact in the City of Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Convention Center has had major success with the exclusive food & beverage provider in the
partnership with Trinity Food and Beverage/Omni. In FY2018 the contract was approved to be renewed for an
additional 10 years and increased commission payments to the City.

Signature events held at the Convention Center in FY2018 included: Association of Water Board Directors – Texas
1,800 people with over 3,500 room nights and bringing an estimated economic impact of $1.99M, Science
Teachers Association of Texas 2018 Convention 7,000 people with 4,000 room nights and bringing an estimated
economic impact of $4.13M, plus many other major conventions and events.

FY2019 DISCUSSION
The Culture & Tourism Fund is a Special Revenue Fund that requires revenues and expenses to balance. When
comparing FY2019 to the FY2018 budget, there are a few significant things that contribute to the $1.2M increase
in the operating fund:
• The major increase is in the projected Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). The 7% portion of HOT generates over
50% of the operating fund revenue. With current travel trends, this is budgeted to increase by 4.8%.
• Additionally, with a combination of new business, an aggressive sales staff and a wonderful partnership
with Visit Fort Worth to promote Fort Worth, the event revenue generated at both the Convention Center
and Will Rogers Memorial Center is projected to increase by 11%.

On the expense side, there were some increases that were offset by some operational decreases and supported
by increased revenues. The most significant is that the department will reimburse the management group for the
Dickies Arena for the commercial liability insurance that is estimated to be $350k. Reiterating the importance of
the partnership with Visit Fort Worth, their contract increased by $240k. This will allow them more capacity to
market Fort Worth as a premier destination as will the Tourism Public Improvement District (PID).

In an effort to continue providing an outstanding customer service experience to our clients, Will Rogers will be
adding five new staff to establish an overnight crew to improve efficiencies and ensure that the facility continues
to be the “Facility of the Year”.

The challenges that the department continues to face are the aging facilities and the mounting repairs and
replacements. In FY2018 both facilities have had to address water leaks, electrical outages, escalator repairs and
replacements, and lighting issues. These will continue in FY2019 and they will continue to be addressed as the
funds are available.

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