By John Compisi, BitesFlightsandSights.com
On a beautifully sunny and warm day (70° F), February 24th 2024, the BATW held its February in-person meeting. About 15 of us gathered at the Santa Clara Convention Center for a delicious hosted breakfast and our monthly meeting. The meeting was followed by a fascinating presentation on the City of Santa Clara and a vigorous tour of Levi Stadium, home of the National Football League, NFC Conference Champions, the SF 49ers.
Breakfast was served promptly at 9am and was catered by Levy Restaurants, who cater all events at the Convention Center. Every item was tasty and presented beautifully. Of special note were the glazed donuts from Stan’s Donut Shop, a Santa Clara culinary icon.
Breakfast was followed by a quick meeting led by co-President Ruth Carlson. After a brief welcome and introduction of our hosts, Ruth asked every member and guest in attendance to introduce themselves.
Next, the January Board Retreat and meeting was reviewed. Ruth asked Board Member, John Compisi to say a few words about his new role as Volunteer Coordinator and the goal of the program. Compisi related that the intention was to increase and enhance member engagement as well as improve the new member experience. He reviewed a few of the volunteer activities that will be promoted and recruited for, in the coming months. They included: Check-in desk at in-person meetings, the New Member buddy system, completion of meeting summaries (like this) for each meeting (in-person or zoom) and coordinating a once per year Happy Hour (no host) in each of the sub-regions of the BATW organization (SF, North Bay, East Bay, South Bay & Reno).
Ruth asked Laurie Armstrong Gossy to review the programs planned or developing for the year. The review was thorough and the in-person and zoom activities sounded exciting. Ginny Prior reviewed the upcoming Destination Showcase scheduled for May 14th in Zoom format. Check the BATW website for more details referencing dates, times, locations and formats for upcoming events.
The BATW meeting was followed by Discover Santa Clara®, President and CEO, Christine Lawson. Christine used an informative power point presentation to wow the attendees with many amazing facts about the City of Santa Clara and its Dynamic Duo: Great America and Levi Stadium. Each member in attendance was provided a gift bag which included a thumb drive with the presentation, a 49ers key chain, a $50 gift certificate (mine was for Eataly), two etickets for Great America, a 49ers rally towel and a multiport USB drive.
Following the Discover Santa Clara® presentation we all walked the short distance to Levi’s Stadium for an hour-long tour of the Stadium, the 49ers Museum (A very cool experience with amazing statuary and mementoes from Kezar, Candlestick and Levi’s Stadiums), a couple of the special clubs (the United Club) and the gridiron, which was covered by grow lights on one half to keep the natural turf in great shape. We were told of the economic impact of the concerts held in the stadium to include the recent Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Ed Sheeran concerts. As much as $33.5m for Swift and for Sheeran, 88k attendees.
After the Stadium tour we were encouraged to visit the Team Store which had fun fan gear for 49ers faithful.
Special thanks to:
Christine Lawson and her Discover Santa Clara® team (Katelyn and Ben).
Kelly Carr, GM Santa Clara Convention Center and his team.
Lorne Ellison, GM Catering Levy Restaurants and his team.
Angelica Perez, Manager, Levi’s Stadium Event Sales and her team.
And a special thanks to Laurie Armstrong Gossy, BATW Corporate Member Lead.
Photos will be emailed separately to the board along with this completed meeting summary template.