SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock offers Sedona the best of times and the worst of times in the ongoing dispute between the Chamber of Commerce destination marketing program and its local government control in a tale of one city.
Sedona AZ – The following phrase suggesting radical opposites is from the opening paragraph of the famous Charles Dickens’ novel, “A Tale of Two Cities:”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity …”
Considering the number of ongoing disputes here in Sedona (perhaps beginning, but most assuredly not the ending) was the idea of becoming an incorporated city. Of course that argument was settled by the voters, and the City of Sedona designation became official.
However one ongoing tug of war has existed and continues to this day and it is the extent, if any, to which the Sedona Chamber of Commerce has controlled local government. Logically it stands to reason that a member-driven, non-profit organization should not be playing the role of acting as a tail wagging the dog (City of Sedona)… especially since its primary function is to serve Chamber of Commerce members, many located outside the “city limits” and thus are unauthorized to vote, charge Sedona city sales tax, or allegedly make viable decisions within incorporated Sedona boundaries. Old news? Of course.
However a huge mistake occurred at the time Sedona was seeking a source for a “destination marketing” contract and, instead of following the guidelines set forth to obtain bids by way of RFP (Requests for Proposals) and under intense opposition, a contract was approved with what realistically was the “regional” Chamber of Commerce and war, figuratively speaking, was declared.
This conflict quite possibly has recently been resolved by the Chamber of Commerce giving written notice they would not be renewing its contract as Sedona’s official Designated Management Organization (DMO).
Sedona has newcomers on the City Council. They are smart. They are asking a lot of questions. They are astute. But perhaps best of all, they recognize Sedona residents and respect City Limits as their jurisdiction. They have also expressed interest and intent to cooperate with regards to the spirit of regional communication and indicate willingness to seek and share ideas with other Verde Valley communities, but at the same time always to respect the limitations of their jurisdiction.
At recent meetings, the Sedona City Council has graciously spoken well of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce while at the same time maintaining their position relating to the current differences of opinion existing regarding goals and direction of a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) under which the Sedona Chamber of Commerce had been under contract. That apparently was the basis by which the C of C made their decision to not renew the contract with Sedona.
Conflicts between Sedona Arizona residents and its city councils began after a council awarded a destination marketing contract to a local non-profit membership-driven organization tasked with promoting its paid members businesses and commercial interests, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. The contract’s negative impact on city residents quality of life issues before, during and after the pandemic, resulted in contentious local elections and city council meetings. In 2023, after newly elected city council members joined existing, the Chamber program was agendized for discussion, review and action.
Recently the following was on a city council agenda:
3.a. AB 2930 Discussion/possible direction/action regarding next steps towards the development of a municipal destination marketing and management program, including a Resolution designating the City of Sedona as the official Destination Marketing Organization.
Because as it appears the transition of a DMO will revert to where many think it should have been in the first place, City Hall, a great deal of thought and logical strategy is being considered, particularly from the newer faces on City Council beginning, but not ending with hiring a professional consultant for direction.
City Council members display a sincere desire to support the premise that tourism needs to have a positive result. The majority of the city council members favor taking a slower approach, while the mayor stated that he “Can’t support waiting.”
Was expressing the need to work for “all Sedona residents and businesses” in fact a confirmed admission that during years gone by residents have, indeed, been shunned and perceivably treated like irrelevant nuisances? Is it fair to relate the overblown credit bestowed upon the Chamber of Commerce and Lodging Council as being the direct source of Sedona’s tax revenue? Has overextended and, perhaps, unprofessional pursuits actually been the cause resulting in out of control tourism creating overuse and disintegration of our most spectacular attraction, Sedona’s beauty, as well as local quality of life being shunned in the process?
Is it the obligation of Sedona government to promote businesses? No. Tourism should have positive results. Hasn’t too much time already been wasted on a “messy relationship” with the Chamber of Commerce? Yes.
It was suggested and agreed upon that most likely it will be good for the Chamber to do their own thing because, among other reasons, their vision is not the same as that of incorporated Sedona, which as presently stated is to “work for Sedona residents and businesses.” Residents, as stakeholders, should no longer be shunned and treated like second-class citizens or flatlanders.
With the task of tackling the logical decision to relocate the official DMO under the roof at Sedona City Hall, a new focus will be directed on the beauty of the area with a realistic approach and recognition of its capacity and thus indicating the need to include a method of educating our visitors. “Brand Sedona” and allow the Chamber of Commerce to deal with commercialization to benefit its members? The suggestion of an Advisory Board consisting of both residential and business participation to work in conjunction with the proposed hiring of a consultant was well received.
Newer members on the Sedona City Council were prudent in inquiring about return on investments. To-date nothing has been made available to speak to the success or failure of the contract with the Chamber of Commerce. For example, was the end result merely the extensive miles of backed up traffic? Who knows? What about success, failure, return on investment, use and participation of the newly created Sedona Transit System?
But all things considered, it seems logical to accept that certain changes, no matter what they are, will result in perhaps “the best of times” for some while for others they will, from their perspective, complain about suffering through “the worst of times.”
However, when seeking an answer about Sedona’s investment in the transit system, most assuredly not a profit producer, perhaps the answer will not be known unless transparency is practiced.
By establishing an appropriate Sedona City Designated Management Organization and, to include an “official” City of Sedona Visitors Center to rightfully represent ALL Sedona licensed businesses, then . . . at that time . . . won’t the City of Sedona finally revert to being the “dog” who rightfully takes control of wagging its own “tail”?
The best of times?
What’s infuriating is when our education system doesn’t prepare you for understanding anything. Tails that wag the Sedona dogs are unchallenged because the people aren’t very intelligent and virtue signaling is their excuse for being lazy cowards even when voting.
charge inner n outside circles
they knew
thanks for always taking them on at city hall and proving city shouldn’t have done what they did
@em. maybes maybes maybes.
It’s very good news to learn we have newcomers on the Sedona City Council who actually consider residents and we thank them very much. What a welcome change. Add our names to a list of appreciation. Respect for most of us living in Sedona is perhaps long overdue but as the saying goes it’s better late than never.
During these difficult days of inflation and uncertainty regarding the future of our country, positive news is like a breath of fresh air – in spite of the dreadful wind that continues to persist day after day.
Yes – life, indeed, is good. Let’s hope to keep it that way. Please, people, remain aware of the extremely high fire danger. It’s serious.
“maybes, maybes, maybes” @Sedona Keith. Have you any prediction(s) to accompany with the “maybes”?
Good news? Bad news? Good times? Bad times?
Rain, sunshine, drought, monsoon flooding? Indeed points to ponder and the answers will unfold with time.
Not for me to make predictions. The only truth lies in the history of Sedona – before and after incorporation. No guessing there . . .
What and where are the revenues and expenses from the almost $300k passengers, and where was it line itemed in the city budget? The $19.09 is a ridiculous expense per passenger.
What and where are the revenues and expenses from the almost $300k passengers . . . @Diana, Sedona.
Great question. City Council, answers please.
maddock gets to the heart of city politics, good reminder
Always good articles and interaction on this site about lovely Sedona, a quick take from southeast AZ.
Banks failing again this week causes we the people to have fewer avenues of investment and personal account security and weeks ago a local banker platitudes not to worry seems disingenuous with White House talk of bigger recession with further rate hikes and promised consumer supply chain disruptions and airline groundings for summer to keep people home. Clearly Joe’s worker goons are running a clown show from his electric clown car.
Why hasn’t White House dismissed faux cabinet secretaries like Myorkas and Blinken and Buttigeg chosen for being good followers not leaders and need for paybacks destroying our economy? I didn’t vote for the man yet it makes me and others want former President Trump back in office even with his big effing mouth and gigantic ego because we’re seeing CIA and FBI collusion against him and it’s damn damn damn scary because we used to believe our justice system culture of moral impartiality addressing American injustices and becoming a laugh now? My Tucson, your Sedona and every Arizonan (American) deserves better government at every level that takes good people not morality fluids.
City Needs Lower Taxes $$$ Cut the 2024 Budget by 50%
Heard news & read here parking garages may fail with extra weight of Electric Vehicles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Did the civil and structural engineers factor in the future weight loads?????????????????Did they factor in higher earthquake probabilities coz fracking in Sedona??????????NYC parking garage and a Philly parking garage failed with injuries and deaths!!!!!
Bye bye Sedona
I bet you believe all kinds of stupid things also. I would hide under a rock if I were you, because behind every corner is danger! LOL…you people are priceless!
Reading something positive relating to newly elected council members was/is uplifting. It appears they have good intentions towards returning local government to focusing on the jurisdiction of incorporated Sedona’s citizens and businesses and stop catering to special-interest regional member-driven organizations. Good for them!
A side observation: As if we didn’t have enough traffic congestion most likely created by the stupid contract with the C of C for destination marketing can anyone P U L E E Z E explain why ADOT must disrupt SR179 from Chapel Road to the Y with road repairs and improvements? Why – oh why – can’t they perform this work at night?
It took three hours yesterday afternoon to get from Back O’Beyond road to to the Y and this morning it was a 45 minute ordeal to get from the Y to Chapel Road.
It isn’t uncommon for ADOT to do road work during evening, nighttime, or early morning hours. Why not this current project???
If anyone dares to venture out with this disruptive reduction to a one-lane state highway horror story believe me, it will definitely NOT enhance chances of having a Good Day!!!
Just another opinion from a lowly flatlander.
Over the past twenty years when out of towners come into Sedona they bring minimal environmental respect and that won’t change because they want full access to even the fragile ecosystems and have no self control or take responsibility. We want limited access by others to our city because we live here, and they take away from us and leave nothing but damage and refuse.
(deleted by editor) freak show!!! Preplanning prevents poor performances (deleted by editor)
Tourists leave green in Sedona Chamber pots that trumps locals environmental demands and drivel always.
“Tourists leave green in Sedona Chamber pots” @MHP “. Yep – that’s been the score keeping method here for too many years. But . . . with new people on the city council . . . maybe, just maybe things might change. It won’t happen over night. If the new focus will be on branding Sedona instead of the blatant display to market commercialization of the past, the future of Sedona is looking pretty darn positive. Good times ahead YES!
Reading a report on the Chamber etal current plans for MO (mode of operation) essentially it includes destination marketing with an effort to attract rich people (minimum of $250,000 annual incomes) and high end spenders. LMAO where have we heard that before? From Sedona City Council Chambers at the time the original contract was negotiated with the Sedona (in name only) Chamber of Commerce. This time there is a big difference! It WON’T be funded with Sedona tax revenue.
It might be a fun game guessing just how many rich people they will attract to miles and miles of backed up traffic. As if sniffing auto fumes is an asset to the beauty of Sedona.
Maybe the best thing for Sedona residents will be the unintended consequence of wealthy folks who will use common sense and stay elsewhere in the Verde Valley since that area will also be a party to this newly formed coalition forthcoming from??Sedona geniuses?
There apparently is already a campaign to find future candidates to run for Sedona city council who own or are involved in commercial businesses in order to reclaim former control of Sedona City Hall which managed literally to exist here for far too many years. And who are the pathetic whiners these days?
The best of times? Yep for so many of us ignored for far too long. But don’t forget nothing lasts forever like the greed mongers have just been reminded.
hey eddie Another big American retailer announced it was pulling out of downtown San Francisco Nordstrom blamed flagging foot traffic and the “dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market” when it announced it would not renew the lease on its massive retail location as well as its discount outlet in the heart of the city.
rich shoppers can leave frisco will come & buy houses instead of shoes
Still haven’t heard costs analysis of these programs and reports? Where’s the accountability?
What employees are they saying will be added to city hall and money for our tax bill now?
Whatever it costs the city to hire an advisor and run their own marketing department (instead of promoting non-city chamber members) in my opinion will be worth the price – more or less!
Underhanded deals should have no place in Sedona government. Keep all cards on the table – transparency should and needs to be the name of the game. Better late than never.
Thanks to the new council members responsible for making this happen:-)
Joe Biden and the far Left want to regulate away your standard of living in the name of climate change and green energy. You let corporate corporations need politicians take away your rights to gas and oil and let them take our rights to medicines during pandemic. Where’s the hospital or clinic they should have built in Sedona instead of blowing up rocks for a road for tourists?
Still waiting for costs.
Google destination marketing pay and 10 highest paychecks are in California and Brooklyn NY and not one of those extremely high tax and cost to live states is over $80K annually and all are in-house or private contracts with agencies. SEDONA WAKE UP. Google destination marketing and get informed.
Answers to many questions may be forthcoming at a SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th – 3:00 PM City Hall – Council Chambers.
AGENDA: Special Business
a. Discussion/possible direction/action regarding the development of a municipal destination marketing and management program, including consideration of a Resolution establishing the Tourism Advisory Board.
Sedona safe space in question with illegals surging across the border now and Biden sending military but they’re not allowed to engage the illegals? WTF
Council needs to remove the Sanctuary city label our ignorant leftist politicians saddled us with when it was safe to play the poor victim game.
We’ve learned the asylum and fleeing oppression UN NGO pass out credit cards game is played at our borders and they’re anti American opportunists.
Are there sex traders and dealers in Sedona? Let the Sedona police and county sheriff’s tell us what’s truthfully happening here with crime before branding a city that doesn’t need one.
Mayor Sandy said we don’t need to advertise because they will find us and come here. Heed her words. No destination marketing.
If Mayor Sandy said we don’t need to advertise because they will find us and come here @Rocky why did she support the ridiculous destination marketing contract with the Chamber making her part of the problem?
30% commercial vacancy rate in San Fran and climbing according to its city and that’s likely a positive spin. NYC in same shape and Seattle and Portland are worse off after summer of looting. If that doesn’t scare Sedona city council in its build it and they will come and spend their money branding then they aren’t worthy of governing.
some politicians have chamber pots & some don’t go figure it out
What’s the vacancy rate for Sedona?
What amount of commercial space does Sedona have in total?
How much vacant undeveloped land?
Questions answered before new ones imagined..
(Deleted by editor) fun
Schools important, children important, CNN thinks it’s more important.
https://youtube.com/shorts/tKIOGSnmvTo?feature=share
@Liz – vacancy rate for Sedona? Do you mean residential or lodging?
Commercial property? Apparently not enough because of efforts to rezone the former Cultural Park property (pledged to NEVER be considered for dense development or, especially, commercial). Residential has been saturated largely because of the lousy decision by former Gov. Ducey to allow short term rentals. Too many out-of-state property owners have become Sedona landlords – better term landlovers – and own properties managed by rental agencies for tourists!
Undeveloped land? Apparently not enough because of the effort to increase density on existing available land.
Be grateful that USFS land such as the vast area north of 89 between approximately Mariposa and Soldiers Pass Road is US forest and cannot be traded. The same is true with land east of the Chapel and Broken Arrow subdivisions. Some of that area may even be designated as wilderness and off limits to everything except wildlife.
What is most likely needed is better cooperation with the Forest Service regarding enforcement in the event it really is being violated.
But perhaps an even bigger problem proposed high density development is and will remain accommodating the additional traffic that will come along with it. Clearly it isn’t feasible to even consider such nonsense.
But greed mongers don’t care. It’s up to our elected officials to put the brakes on and firmly! Enough is enough and Sedona has already been exploited almost . . . almost to the point of destruction. Just another opinion.
Good words to heed @Marve
(But perhaps an even bigger problem proposed high density development is and will remain accommodating the additional traffic that will come along with it. Clearly it isn’t feasible to even consider such nonsense.
But greed mongers don’t care. It’s up to our elected officials to put the brakes on and firmly! Enough is enough and Sedona has already been exploited almost . . . almost to the point of destruction. Just another opinion.)
Ought to be a big colored map hanging at city hall with its limits highlighted and UFS areas highlighted and Coconino and Yavapai counties areas highlighted that council & people don’t forget.
It’s Sunday morning, attend a beautiful Sedona church or find a seat amongst our rocks and commune with God.
Wonderful suggestions from “Vince, West Sedona” and “PCC”. How do you suppose “Cathedral Rock” achieved the name???
As for the ID MAP at city hall, our hunch is that maybe – just maybe – our NEW MEMBERS on the SEDONA CITY COUNCIL are well aware of their jurisdiction.
Potential direction resulting from that “special” council meeting this coming Wednesday afternoon might shine some light on just who it is controlling how the “dog wags its tail” these days.
The issue for Sedona Democrats isn’t whether they have enough of your money, but how they’ll spend it.
It’s important that we face facts that this administration won’t do anything to avoid creating another problem and our problems are being manipulated by forces unfriendly to Americans peace and prosperity. Just sayin.
Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs just vetoed a bill that would ensure votes are counted safely and securely, SB 1077.
Why would she possibly veto a bill like this? She isn’t doing it to protect Arizona residents and 86% of Arizonans want this bill to pass and be in place before next election – does she owe paybacks and cannot say NO but she is going to do it with a VETO!!!!!! She works for us, we don’t work for her.
Every American who believes in safe and secure elections should be frightened. Call Gov. Katie Hobbs office and keep Arizona’s elections safe & secure. 91% of Americans voted they want this election protocol passed in some shape or form and to outright keep elections safe, and that was among minorities!!!!! Hispanics and Blacks want this passed not vetoed.
Believe us when we say this is one the most important things you can do to defend our Republic. Overturn that VETO.
Call the Governors office today and tell them you want a YES on this bill. Thank you Kristen Sinema for standing up to her. Thank you Mark Kelley for standing up to her. Overturn the VETO in Arizona.
Don’t let what happened in the last election EVER happen again. Get off your butts and call. Exercise your right to vote.
@vince good words
I call BS on you
The governor spent a lot of time in an Arizona basement avoiding campaigning and campaigners and pulled off an amazing spectacularly unforeseen win. Maricopa O Maricopa why?
wrong call, you need to call KH
The council member meeting tomorrow will signal power or strength for the newest council makeup future direction. I’m a betting man they’ll kick the chamber to the curb and create a small boutique in-house travel office that coordinates with the locals vision and daily lifestyle. Please remember, city council, that Sedona tourists are hosted by Sedona residents who view them as a parasitic group experience.
A dollar you held at the beginning of the Biden Administration is now worth $0.88.
That’s inflation, city council. Factor 12% in today’s debt to know what you owe If paid today because tomorrow is guaranteed to be worse numbers and the days after.
Yes indeed Bill Uptown. The hopefully “has-been” control freaks will be out in force to overthrow the notion that only members of the “regional” Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Lodging Council (misleading by the title of “Sedona”) are responsible for every single penny of sales tax here.
Let us rally for the new faces and logical thinking of the “city of Sedona” council members and send our thanks and best wishes for responsibly returning our beautiful area and the “incorporated” portion back into the purpose for which it was intended – to serve those of us, businesses AND residents, located in the designated area and resist control by any and all special-interest organizations that has existed in past years. ENOUGH!
Dominos at Roadrunner will fall down soon? I’d be looking for their past few years email exchanges about chamber business, eh?
It will be interesting to find out what plans if any the Sedona City Council has whether or not they put forth city revenue to promote the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center (& Tourism Bureau?) in uptown Sedona. Several years ago it was publicly verified by then Chamber Pres/CEO Jennifer Wesselhoffen that the Chamber ONLY promoted THEIR members at uptown Sedona visitors center – NOT representing any Sedona city businesses if they weren’t Chamber members! Sweet deal for all the chamber members in the VOC, Verde Valley, and elsewhere outside Sedona City Limits.
In other words, the council members back then absolutely snubbed tax collecting businesses in Sedona city by refusing representation unless they joined and paid dues to what was clearly a [member-driven regional] association. Shameful and disgusting.
Please, please new City Council Members – keep these past disgraceful blunders in mind when you’re asked to make honest and unbiased decisions on behalf of Sedona city residents and businesses.
Those in opposition of a change in the former policy are running scared as indicated by a campaign (already) to elect “business people” the next city council election. (As if those presently on the city council don’t qualify? Maybe the present whiners should review the backgrounds of our newly elected?)