Ann Shea works on special projects within the convention sales department of the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. She is also the chair of Saturday’s Hard Hat Loft Tour 2002.
WHAT IS THE HARD HAT TOUR?
Volunteers will lead interested parties on a stroll through the new residential developments downtown for a sneak peek at what’s going on behind the dust. Presented through the Chamber’s Downtown Council, the tour is Shea’s idea.
WHY HAVE THE TOUR?
“The common goal is to bring people downtown. Springfield, San Marco and Riverside have a home tour. Why not downtown? We are looking to promote downtown as a viable living accommodation. Last year, we just had a couple of residences [coupled with commercial sites] to showcase. We want to bring downtown to the level where everything doesn’t close at five. We want people to capture a bit of downtown they haven’t seen or maybe see it in a different way.”
SITES ON THE TOUR THIS YEAR
Berkman Plaza, The Carlington, the Central Fire Station, One Shipyard Place, 11 E. Forsyth, the W.A. Knight Building and Parks at the Cathedral.
WHAT ROUTE DOES THE TOUR FOLLOW?
Participants can catch a trolley at the Jacksonville Landing or start snooping around at any of the locations. Free rides will be provided on the trolley, with the drivers also functioning as tour guides. Programs with data on each building will be provided. Complete tours run about every two hours, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.
WHAT WILL THE SIGHTSEERS SEE?
Each developer will have a representative walking participants through the tour site and answering questions. Those structures which are in the initial phases of construction will have drawings or renderings of the completed project. If someone is interested in buying or leasing the property, contact information will be available.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT IN 2002?
“This year we have numbered tickets so we can keep track [of sales]. Last year I’d say probably 150 came through. This year we have printed 500 tickets. The tickets will have a perforated edge they can fill out and we’ll be doing surveys. We’ve definitely increased our marketing.”
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The tour is sponsored by the Downtown Council, where Shea is secretary of the board. Volunteers number between 50 and 75. “That [Downtown Council] is where the budget and all the people came from. The CVB has nothing to do with it.”
ANY CHANCE OF PARTNERING IN THE FUTURE?
The CVB has provided assistance by way of manpower. “I know DVI [Downtown Vision, Inc.] is interested. They have helped with cash sponsorship. We’ve also talked to the DDA [Downtown Development Authority].”
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN AT THE CVB?
Previously the convention sales manager, Shea assumed her new position in February. “I wanted to get out of sales. I had been in it for 10 years.”
WHO ELSE HAVE YOU REPRESENTED?
Before relocating to Jacksonville, Shea served on the Convention and Visitors Bureau in both Madison and Telmah, Wis. and Jekyll Island. While in Georgia, she also worked at a hotel.
BORN
Milwaukee.
SCHOOLING
Shea majored in hospitality at Madison Area Technical College. “I wanted a job that involved working with people. I wanted something fun. When I was 19, it sounded like a cool thing to do.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT
YOUR JOB?
“Being able to start a project, see it through to completion and see how everything falls into place. That, and getting to promote a city I love and believe in comes easily to me.”
WHAT CHALLENGES DOES YOUR JOB PRESENT?
“Promoting the convention center. It’s one of our biggest weaknesses. We need a larger one with a hotel across the street.”
PERSONAL
A Riverside resident, Shea enjoys reading, walking and traveling. Visiting with friends and family back home are important to her. If she happens to be at home, she’s probably tuning into “Will & Grace” or popping in a video. “I’m big on movies. I should work at Blockbuster part-time so I could get a discount.”
—by Monica Chamness