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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 QUIMPER EVENTS COLLECTIVE 20262026 Proposal Checklist for Tourism Promotion Activities Organization Name: Quimper Events Collective Event Name, if different: Proposed Contract Amount: $ $245,000 WA UBI Number: 605 305 564 501(c)(3) ☐ (6) ☐ EIN Number: 93-2479284 Proposals should completely address the questions, and all requested supplemental information should be provided. Incomplete or late proposals may not be considered by the Jefferson County LTAC. To be eligible for consideration, your application must be signed, dated, and include the following items in the listed order. Check each item submitted: ☐Signed and Dated Proposal Checklist for Tourism Promotion Activities. ☐Declaration of capital expenditures and operations, if applicable (Attachment A). ☐Proof of liability insurance (Attachment B) ☐Section 1 - Itemized list of proposed services and estimated costs. ☐Section 2 - Proposal Questions. ☐Section 3 - Proposed 2026 promotion, facility, event or activity budget. ☐Section 3 - 2025 organizational budget and year-to-date income and expense statement(s). ☐Section 3 - List of names and addresses of the organization’s current Board of Directors. Name and contact information for event chairperson, if applicable. ☐Section 3 - Optional work samples such as season brochures, promotional materials, reviews, news/magazine articles, etc. (maximum of 5 separate pieces) To be considered, a fully completed and signed original application with supporting documents must be electronically received and date stamped at the Jefferson County Administrator’s Office, to Adiel McKnight @ afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us by WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 by 4:30 p.m. (Secure and approved file transfer links are acceptable to accommodate large file sizes if needed.) Documents submitted to the County are public records, potentially eligible for release. RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 1 of 25 2026 Proposal Checklist for Tourism Promotion Activities Proposal Deadline: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 AT 4:30 P.M. Electronically to Email Address: afmcknight@co.jefferson.wa.us Please type (10 point or larger) or legibly print in ink. To be considered: all questions must be answered; all requested documents provided; this form must be signed and dated. Organization Name: Quimper Events Collective Organization Address: 821 Washington St, Port Townsend WA 98368 Contact Name: Alexis Arrabito Contact Address: 310 24th Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Day Phone: 360-774-0825 Evening or Cell Phone: Same as above E-Mail Address:info@quimpereventscollective.com Facility/Event: (if applicable) Total Lodging Tax Request: $___245,000____________ Estimated 2026 org. operating budget: (Incl. Lodging Tax funds) $___250,000____________ If asking for funds for a specific event, list other cash funding sources and dollar amounts budgeted for this project. Note: This section is only due for specific event and festival funding requests. Dollar Amount $ $ $ $ $ $ Total Project Revenue Budget: $ Did your organization receive Lodging Tax Funds from the County in 2025? ☐ Yes ☐ No I understand that if my organization’s proposal for tourism promotion activities is approved by the County that my organization will enter into a contract with the County to provide the contracted services up to the maximum contract amount. I understand that the proposal herein is a public record potentially eligible for public release. Sign Name: Date: September 9, 2025 Print Name and Title: Alexis Arrabito, President RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 2 of 25 ATTACHMENT A Declaration of Capital Expenditures and Operations 1. The total amount of my request for LTAC funding is: $_____$245,000_________________ 2. Of the total listed in Paragraph 1, above: a. The amount requested for capital expenditures is: $__0_________________ b. The requested capital expenditures are for: N/A 3. Of the total amount listed in Paragraph 1, above: a. The total amount requested for operations is: $___$145,880______________________ b. The requested operations expenditures are for: $120,000 for two fractional positions ($60,000 each). Additionally, $25,880 is for administrative/overhead. This includes items like operating tools/software, supplies, printing costs, insurance etc. I declare under penalty of perjury under the law of Washington that the foregoing representation about the capital expenditures and operations is true and correct. Signed on this day of (date) (month) (year) at (city or other location, and state or country) Alexis Arrabito, President (Printed Name) (Signature) 9th September 2025 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 3 of 25 ATTACHMENT B Insurance Certificate RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 4 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding October 1, 2024 1. Itemized List of Proposed Tourism Promotion Services In the following space or on a separate sheet of paper, please specify each proposed tourism promotion, facility, event or activity, including quantities and costs. QEC/Jefferson County DMO Model – 2026 Regional Tourism Promotion Proposed Activity Cost Jeff Co Wedding Show $10,000 Website Expansion $10,000 Comprehensive Year-Round Marketing Plan $50,000 Industry Participation & Operations $20,000 Regional Partnership Opportunities -For example: FAM Tours, Local Tourism Ambassadors Orientation, continuation Workforce Development Training, partnership with Leader for Restaurant Week $25,000 Photo/Video Asset Development $10,000 Fractional Program & Marketing Manager $120,000 TOTAL $245,000 2. Proposal Questions Please confine your answers to no more than one page for each question. 2.1 Tell us about your promotion, program, facility, event or activity and why you think it will increase tourists traveling to and staying in Jefferson County. Include a general description of the promotion, program, facility, event or activity including its purpose, history, etc. Quimper Events Collective - Page 1 WEBSITE: quimpereventscoll ective.com INSTAGRAM: @quimpereventsco BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alexis Arrabito President Mia Garcia Vice President Natalie Maitland Treasurer Jessie Short Secretary Heidi Haney Director Bethany Mahaffey Director Marvin Copeland-Griggs Director RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 5 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding Our proposal, QEC/Jefferson County DMO – 2026 Regional Tourism Promotion is a coordinated, countywide marketing and destination management program. Its purpose is to: ● Increase overnight visitation and length of stay. ● Promote Jefferson County as a year-round destination, with emphasis on shoulder-season travel ● Consolidate fragmented marketing into a unified strategy aligned with the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan (destination marketing, community development, and public–private sector alignment). By combining events, digital infrastructure, asset creation, and professional staffing capacity, this proposal addresses current gaps in awareness, extends visitor seasons, and creates measurable conversion opportunities that directly benefit lodging, dining, retail, and attractions across the county. Key Components & Impacts 1. Jefferson County Wedding Show ($10,000) ● Continue the inaugural 2025 event, strategically scheduled in the early shoulder season. ● Target Market: Engaged couples, planners, and vendors across Western WA. ● Activities: Venue/showcase logistics, promotion at regional shows, digital/print advertising. ● Impact: Generates multi-season visitation through wedding bookings, tours, and guest travel. A single wedding booking typically results in dozens of overnight stays plus restaurant and activity spending, in addition, employs on average four local businesses in the course of their event. 2. Tourism Website & Digital Visitor Center ($10,000) ● Develop and maintain an inclusive, ADA-compliant digital hub for countywide trip-planning resources (events, itineraries, business listings). ● Equity Focus: Free listings ensure inclusion of small businesses that cannot pay membership dues and ensure that users gain a complete picture of businesses offering services in the county; DEI partnerships with DASH and Usawa ensure diverse and welcoming representation. ● Impact: Functions as a “digital visitor center,” improves discoverability for 98+ members (and growing), and extends visibility to underserved businesses. Quimper Events Collective - Page 2 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 6 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding 3. Comprehensive Year-Round Marketing Plan ($50,000) ● Multi-channel promotion (digital ads, SEO, social, print, earned media). ● 2026 Opportunity: Leverage the FIFA World Cup in Seattle to capture international/domestic travelers seeking nearby authentic Pacific Northwest experiences. ● Impact: Year-round visibility, balanced distribution of visitors, measurable ROI. 4. Industry Participation & Operations ($20,000) ● Memberships in organizations such as the State of Washington Tourism (SWT), Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA), and Visit Seattle connect Jefferson County to statewide and regional networks. ● Impact: These partnerships amplify our reach through cooperative marketing, training, and media opportunities, while also building credibility as part of Washington’s broader tourism ecosystem. To deliver on this visibility, we must also maintain the professional tools that allow us to operate like a true DMO: ● Email Service Provider: Enables segmented, branded communications with potential visitors, partners, and past attendees—one of the most cost-effective channels for driving bookings and tracking engagement. ● AirDNA STR Analytics: Provides comprehensive short-term rental and lodging data, filling gaps in traditional hotel tax reporting and giving us actionable insights into visitor demand, seasonal patterns, and campaign ROI. ● Project Management Software: Affordable but essential tools for managing complex campaigns, coordinating with multiple contractors, and producing consistent, professional-quality creative assets. 5. Regional Partnership Opportunities ($25,000) Partnerships are the foundation of sustainable tourism development, and this line item provides flexible funding to test and support collaborative efforts that can yield strong returns for Jefferson County. Rather than pre-determining each activity, this fund allows us to consider and implement the most effective opportunities as time, capacity, and results indicate. Potential Uses Such As: RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 7 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● Familiarization Tours (FAMs): Hosting regional planners, media, or influencers to showcase Jefferson County venues, lodging, dining, and experiences—generating direct bookings and earned media. ● Local Ambassador Orientation: Providing frontline hospitality workers with guided tours and resources so they can confidently recommend local businesses and attractions to visitors. ● Workforce Development Training: Continuing our State of Washington Tourism grant funded program to continue building hospitality skills and visitor services training to strengthen the local workforce and improve guest experiences. ● Regional Events: Collaborating with partners such as the Port Townsend Leader or other media outlets on campaigns like Restaurant Week, during the slower winter season, creating promotional reach that individual businesses cannot achieve alone and including “Stay & Dine” lodging packages with hotels. ● Business Development Expansion: Support growth of tourism-related businesses in attracting bleisure (business/leisure) travel. Aligns with OP Master Plan goals for new group travel development. Collaborate with public/private stakeholders to identify opportunities for tourism-related economic development. 6. Photo/Video Asset Development ($10,000) ● Build a professional, rights-cleared media library covering all seasons and experiences. ● Urgency: Current assets are outdated, unorganized, limiting competitive positioning. ● Impact: ○ Increases engagement across campaigns. ○ Provides assets for media, partners, and local businesses. ○ Positions Jefferson County to be “media-ready” for national/international coverage or filmmakers scouting locations. 7. Staffing Capacity | Program Manager & Marketing Manager ($120,000) ● Volunteer-led management is not sustainable for the scope of countywide, year-round work. ● This proposal is for two contracted, fractional roles with defined scopes of work, equal pay, and direct accountability to both the QEC board and Jefferson County through the LTAC contract. ● These are not W2 staff hires but professional service contracts with deliverables tied to project outcomes. Each contractor will provide regular reports to the QEC board, ensuring transparency, alignment, and financial accountability. Quimper Events Collective - Page 4 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 8 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● Roles: ○ Program Manager – contracts, event logistics, compliance, LTAC reporting, meeting with members, community and industry stakeholders ○ Marketing Manager – collateral creation, campaign execution, website maintenance and updates, pr/media, ROI tracking and reporting. ● Impact: Ensures professional continuity, accountability, and efficiency. Avoids missed opportunities while maximizing LTAC investment. Provides living wages to local Jefferson County residents. 2.2. If this is a continuing or reoccurring promotion, program, facility or event, describe your organization’s prior activities. This proposal builds on our 2025 LTAC-funded activities, which launched several successful initiatives, including the inaugural Jefferson County Wedding Show and the development of regional marketing collaborations. The 2026 plan expands scope and impact by: ● Enhancing the tourism ecosystem with an expanded online presence including a business directory, itineraries, and event calendar. See demo website https://ltacdemo.quimpereventscollective.com/ ● Scaling of photo/video library for broader partner use. ● Introducing a flexible Regional Partnership Opportunities fund to test and support collaborative efforts such as building out a county-wide Restaurant Week with The Leader, familiarization (FAM) tours, tourism ambassador orientations, workforce training, or development of business travel growth. This structure allows us to direct resources toward the activities with the highest return on investment while remaining responsive to capacity and funding levels. ● Adding operations and marketing manager capacity to ensure consistent year-round execution. 2.3 How does your promotion, program, facility or event support one of the Highest Priorities or Additional Considerations listed below under “Other Criteria”? Our proposal directly supports Jefferson County LTAC’s Highest Priorities: Destination Development: Our proposal advances the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan’s Goal #2 – Destination & Community Development. Quimper Events Collective - Page 5 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 9 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● The Tourism Website & Digital Visitor Center expands infrastructure by providing a centralized, ADA-accessible platform for trip planning and business discovery under a broader cohesive Olympic Peninsula brand. ● Photo/Video Asset Development & Business Development enhances visitor experiences and builds capacity for local vendors ensuring our county is a “complete package” for weddings, retreats, and group travel. ● Regional Partnership Opportunities creates flexible, high-ROI initiatives—such as a Restaurant Week, familiarization tours, ambassador training, or workforce development—that extend the visitor season and distribute visitation during slower periods. Regional Collaboration: ● Signature programs (Wedding Show, Comprehensive Marketing, and Regional Partnership Opportunities) bring together lodging, dining, retail, and attractions under a shared brand. ● We plan to leverage partnerships with other DMO’s including the city of Port Townsend, Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission, State of Washington Tourism, and Visit Seattle ● We are actively building collaborations with a wide range of local and regional partners, including the North Hood Canal Chamber, Team Jefferson EDC, and Port Townsend Main Street, with reciprocal membership models under consideration to ensure cross-promotion and resource sharing. ● We have also initiated conversations with organizations OWL 360/The Nest, Usawa Consulting, Disability Awareness Starts Here! (DASH), the Transit Advisory Group (TAG), and the Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS), creating bridges between tourism promotion, equity and inclusion, public transportation, and cultural preservation. ● These partnerships allow us to leverage broader networks, align with existing community efforts, and ensure Jefferson County tourism promotion is inclusive, historically grounded, and well integrated into regional economic development strategies. ● Neighboring counties have invested in tourism promotion through a variety of approaches (print-heavy, influencer-based, co-op advertising). Our blended model ensures measurable ROI while building local capacity by contracting Jefferson County-based professionals, expanding the skills of our local workforce, and creating shared assets (like photography, video, and a countywide tourism website) that remain in the community long after individual campaigns end. Our proposal also addresses LTAC’s Additional Considerations: Quimper Events Collective - Page 6 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 10 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● Season Extension: Events and campaigns are purposefully scheduled in late winter and early spring shoulder seasons, filling gaps in visitation. ● Overnight Stays: Lodging is built into every major initiative (Stay & Dine packages, group bookings from weddings/retreats, planner FAM conversions). ● Use of Data: STR data from AirDNA, lodging partner reports, and website analytics ensure transparent ROI measurement for LTAC reporting. ● Local Professional Engagement: We intentionally contract with local photographers, designers, coordinators, and guides so LTAC funds circulate within Jefferson County. ● Inclusive & Sustainable Tourism: Free business listings on the website, ADA enhancements, and DEI partnerships ensure that our tourism growth is representative and welcoming for all visitors. By explicitly addressing these Highest Priorities and Additional Considerations, our proposal ensures that LTAC funding directly achieves the County’s stated goals while building sustainable, locally rooted tourism capacity. 2.4. Describe how you intend to market/promote your promotion, program, facility, event or activity to potential tourists who reside outside Jefferson County or traveling more than 50 miles. a. If an event, the date of the event: Wedding Show – February 2026. Other activities would be implemented in late winter through the Regional Partnership Opportunities fund, depending on partnership participation and available resources. b. The timeline for the tourism promotion activity you are proposing. Year-round (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026), with campaign-specific pushes 60–90 days prior to events or activities. c. Target Audience: Engaged couples & wedding planners (Western WA); food and beverage enthusiasts; leisure travelers; regional event planners; media and influencers. d. Promotion methods you intend to use to reach the target audience. Paid social, digital display ads, print advertising, SEO-optimized content, press releases, partner cross-promotion, blogs, and itineraries. e. Describe how you will promote overnight stays at Jefferson County lodging establishments. We will market Jefferson County to out-of-county visitors, focusing on audiences traveling more than 50 miles. Package lodging with events (Stay & Dine, Stay & Play), feature accommodation partners on the tourism website, and track conversions via Special Offer booking codes. Quimper Events Collective - Page 7 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 11 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding f. If you intend to collaborate with another agency or non-profit to provide these services, please state the name of the organization and describe the nature of the collaboration: Work with lodging properties, restaurants, regional tourism partners including OPTC and city of Port Townsend, and business associations (such as PT Main Street, Team Jefferson EDC, and North Hood Canal Chamber) to extend reach and share costs. Collaboration partners detailed further in section 2.3 2.5. How will you measure the effectiveness of your promotion, program, facility, event or activity? a. Also, describe how you will document and report to the County the economic impact from your promotion, program, facility, event or activity. We will track the effectiveness of our LTAC-funded promotions using quantitative data, qualitative feedback, and third-party analytics. 1. Lodging & Overnight Stays ● Partner with hotels, to collect booking data and track “Stay & Dine” package redemptions. ● AirDNA Analytics: Monitor short-term rental occupancy, ADR, and booking trends, complementing hotel lodging tax data to provide a comprehensive countywide picture of tourism. ● Seasonal Tracking: Compare occupancy rates during campaign/event periods vs. baseline periods. Cross reference with lodging tax financial reports to draw qualitative observations on what data is demonstrating. 2. Event & Program Participation ● Attendance Counts: Track attendance at the Jefferson County Wedding Show and any activities implemented through the Regional Partnership Opportunities fund (e.g., Restaurant Week dining covers, FAM tour participation, workforce training attendees). ● Visitor Origin: Collect zip codes from reservations, ticketing, or surveys to verify the percentage of visitors traveling from 50+ miles away. ● Engagement Multipliers: Monitor bookings, tours, or reservations resulting from participation in events or programs selected under Regional Partnership Opportunities. 3. Digital & Marketing Analytics ● Website Analytics: Google Analytics reporting on traffic, geographic origin, time on site, referrals, and booking code conversions. Quimper Events Collective - Page 8 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 12 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● Campaign Performance: Metrics from social and digital ads (impressions, click-through rates, conversions). ● Email Marketing: Open rates, click rates, and ROI (industry benchmark: $40 return per $1 spent). 4. Media & PR Coverage ● Earned Media: Track number and reach of articles, blog posts, and influencer coverage secured through press outreach and hosted media visits. ● Share of Voice: Monitor Jefferson County mentions in regional/statewide tourism platforms (SWT, OPTC). 5. Stakeholder & Community Feedback ● Business Surveys: Conduct post-event surveys with participating restaurants, venues, and lodging providers to capture direct economic impacts (e.g., covers served, midweek bookings, visitor spending). ● Frontline Feedback: Collect qualitative insights from participants in the Local Ambassador Orientation to evaluate how prepared and confident staff feel in promoting countywide experiences. 6. Reporting & Accountability ● Annual Report to LTAC: Compile a consolidated report of overnight stays, visitor origin, spending estimates, and marketing performance. ● Transparency: Share results with LTAC, participating businesses, and community stakeholders, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. These measures will allow us to provide LTAC with the required annual reporting to the Washington State Department of Commerce on overnight stays and tourism-related economic impacts, per RCW 67.28.1816. 2.6. What economic impact can we expect in Jefferson County from your proposed promotion, program, facility, event or activity? a. Actual or estimated number of tourists at your event/facility last year (2025): Jeff Co Wedding Show had an attendance of 104 people. Out of the 20 pre-sold tickets, we had attendees from 50+ miles away including: Port Angeles, Tacoma, Sequim, Edmonds, Hansville, Poulsbo, South Beach OR, and Lynnwood. We attributed one direct hotel booking at The Resort at Port Ludlow through a booking rate code from direct outreach at a regional wedding show. Quimper Events Collective - Page 9 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 13 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding b. Estimated number of tourists who will attend your event/facility this year (2026): 2026 Projections: Growth in attendance at the Wedding Show and increased participation in activities delivered through the Regional Partnership Opportunities fund. Depending on implementation, these could include Restaurant Week dining reservations, workforce training participants, or group bookings generated by familiarization tours. c. Projected economic impact in Jefferson County from your event/facility (e.g. number of tourists who will stay overnight in Jefferson County-based lodging establishments; economic impact for Jefferson County restaurants, community facilities, amenities, events, and businesses). Economic benefits include increased spending at lodging establishments, restaurants, and retail, as well as greater use of community facilities such as county parks. The combined initiatives are expected to generate multi-season visitation, support local employment, and enhance Jefferson County’s reputation as a year-round destination. 2.7. Describe your organization’s area of expertise. Do you provide a unique service? The Quimper Events Collective (QEC) is a grassroots, member-led nonprofit representing more than 75 small businesses across East Jefferson County, from Port Townsend to Brinnon. We bring together professionals in tourism, hospitality, events, marketing, and the creative industries to collaboratively promote Jefferson County as a premier year-round destination. Unique Service & Positioning ● Collaborative Network: QEC is the only countywide organization dedicated specifically to uniting local event, hospitality, and tourism professionals under one coordinated marketing and destination development strategy. ● Community Integration: Our board members are not only industry professionals but also active leaders in local commissions, and nonprofit organizations. This ensures QEC maintains strong connections with both the private sector and public entities shaping Jefferson County’s tourism landscape. ● Local Knowledge: As long-term residents and small business owners, our board brings lived experience of the region, deep relationships with local stakeholders, and authentic storytelling that resonates with visitors. ● Capacity for Professional Delivery: Through prior LTAC-funded projects, QEC has successfully organized countywide events (Jefferson County Wedding Show), marketing campaigns, and foundational infrastructure development (county-wide accommodations guide). This track record demonstrates our ability Quimper Events Collective - Page 10 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 14 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding to manage funds responsibly, deliver measurable outcomes, and provide continuity year over year. Board Expertise Our board collectively contributes decades of experience across tourism, business development, arts, and marketing. Each member brings distinct strengths: ● Alexis Arrabito, President & Founder – 25-year Jefferson County resident, small business owner, hospitality strategist, and Chair of the Port Townsend Arts Commission. Alexis holds a Master of Science in Information Technology & Administrative Management and founded QEC to create a collaborative network for regional event and tourism professionals ● Mia Garcia, Vice President – Artist, community connector, and project manager with strong administrative and organizational expertise, dedicated to elevating opportunities for local residents. ● Natalie Maitland, Treasurer – Executive Director of Port Townsend Main Street with 15+ years in marketing, communications, and hospitality. She is deeply involved in regional tourism and business development initiatives and currently serves on the Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). ● Jessie Short, Secretary – Lifelong Jefferson County resident and current Marketing Lead at the Resort at Port Ludlow. Jessie also serves on the Jefferson County Farmers Market board and brings strong expertise in marketing, communications, and regional promotion. ● Bethany Mahaffey – Founder of Snowberry Weddings, offering wedding planning, styling, and floral design inspired by the Pacific Northwest while also managing a local Port Townsend restaurant, giving her dual expertise in events and hospitality operations. ● Heidi Haney – Owner of Tipsy Gypsy, a mobile bartending social purpose corporation, and Taps at the Guardhouse. With decades of hospitality experience, Heidi brings expertise in guest services and beverage tourism. ● Marvin Copeland-Griggs – Venue Manager at Northwest Maritime Center and former chamber/tourism board member in Georgia. Marvin contributes experience in visitor services, event management, and organizational governance. This collective expertise ensures QEC can deliver tourism promotion services that are: ● Locally rooted and authentic, reflecting Jefferson County’s unique culture and character. ● Professionally managed, with board and contracted leadership skilled in marketing, event coordination, and compliance. Quimper Events Collective - Page 11 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 15 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding ● Collaborative and inclusive, leveraging cross-sector partnerships and ensuring small businesses of all sizes are represented. ● Strategically aligned with LTAC priorities and the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan, advancing destination marketing, community development, and public-private coordination. Together, our breadth of experience and proven capacity make QEC uniquely positioned to serve as Jefferson County’s countywide tourism promotion organization. Quimper Events Collective - Page 12 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 16 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding 2026 Proposed Budget EXPENSES Bank Charges & Fees $ 300.00 Contractors - Marketing $ 60,000.00 - Operations $ 60,000.00 Event Supplies $ 1,000.00 - Signage $ 250.00 Industry Participation $ 6,000.00 Insurance $ 1,200.00 Marketing - Ads Digital $ 5,000.00 - Ads Print $ 6,000.00 - Trade Shows $ 2,500.00 - Website $ 10,000.00 Membership - Member Relations/Appreciation $ 200.00 - Social Programming $ - Mileage $ - Office Supplies & Software $ 2,000.00 -AirDNA etc. $ 12,000.00 Other Business Expenses - Postage $20 - Printing $250 Rent & Lease $ 2,000.00 Strategic Initiatives - Comprehensive Regional Tourism Marketing $ 50,000.00 - Regional Partnership Opportunities $ 25,000.00 - Asset Development $ 10,000.00 Taxes & Licenses $ 110.00 $ 253,630.00 Quimper Events Collective - Page 13 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 17 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding INCOME Donations - Earned Income - Ticket Sales $ 600.00 Grant Revenue - JC LTAC $ 245,000.00 - PT LTAC - Membership Dues $ 4,400.00 $ 250,000.00 Quimper Events Collective - Page 14 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 18 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding 2025 Organizational Budget (Income & Expenses) Quimper Events Collective - Page 15 2025 EXPENSES BUDGET $ 30,876 YTD $16,067 ADMINISTRATIVE Bank Fees $ 148 $ 376 Insurance $ 1,200 Licenses & Permits $ 120 Postage / Printing $ 1,000 $ 4 Technology $ 198 $ 340 MARKETING Advertising - Print $ 8,000 $ 5830 Advertising - Social $ 2,800 $ 590 Advertising - Trade Shows $ 1,000 $ 1720 Contract Labor/Professional Services $ 900 $ 950 Website $ 130 $ 60 MEMBERSHIP $ 8,030 Social Programming $ 500 Member Relations/Appreciation $ 180 $ 49 EVENT EXPENSES $ 7,350 Facility $ 3,450 Supplies $ 1,500 $ 4005 Signage $ 1,500 $ 633 Contractor $ 900 2025 REVENUE ANNUAL $ 37,959 YTD $51,050 MEMBERSHIP Professional $ 4,704 $ 3,920 Vendor Partner $ 225 Gig Seeker $ 30 OTHER REV Donations $ - $ 208 Grants $ 32,500 $ 45,500 Merchandise Sales $ 500 $ 1,242 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 19 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding 2025 YTD Income & Expenses Quimper Events Collective - Page 16 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 20 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding Board of Directors as of 9/1/2025 Alexis Arrabito , President 821 Washington St Port Townsend WA 98368 info@quimpereventscollective.com The Washington Private Suites Mia Garcia , Vice President 2120 West Sims Way Port Townsend, WA 98368 miagarciaknits@gmail.com Jeff Co Created Jessie Short, Secretary 70 Breaker Lane Port Ludlow WA 98365 jshort@portludlowassociates.com The Resort at Port Ludlow Heidi Haney, Treasurer 300 Eisenhower Ave Port Townsend WA 98368 info@tipsygypsy.party Tipsy Gypsy Mobile Bar & TAPS at the Guardhouse Natalie Maitland 211 Taylor St., Ste 3, Port Townsend WA 98368 keenbeeconsulting@gmail.com Keen Bee Consulting & PT Main Street Bethany Mahaffey 105 Magnolia Ave Port Townsend WA 98368 snowberryeventdesign@gmail.com Snowberry Weddings Marvin Copeland-Griggs 431 Water Street Port Townsend WA 98368 marvin@nwmaritime.org Northwest Maritime Quimper Events Collective - Page 17 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 21 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding Work Samples As part of this application, we developed a demo site to illustrate what a centralized tourism website for the Quimper Peninsula and East Jefferson County could look like. This site demonstrates layout, navigation, and potential content organization tailored to visitors and community stakeholders. ltacdemo.quimpereventscollective.com Quimper Events Collective - Page 18 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 22 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding In addition, we have included a dedicated page of supporting documents that guided our proposal: https://ltacdemo.quimpereventscollective.com/support-faq/ This includes: ● Olympic Peninsula Tourism Master Plan (2024-2029) ● A Kitsap County DMO Executive Summary, which outlines governance models for destination marketing organizations ● Letters of Support from our QEC Members Together, these examples provide context and best practices that have shaped our approach to developing a strategic and sustainable tourism platform for Jefferson County. Full Page Ad in Olympic Peninsula Weddings PDN Special Publication Accommodations Guide in PDN Visitors and The Leader’s Getaway Guides Quimper Events Collective - Page 19 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 23 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding Brochure for Jefferson County Wedding Tour - Funded by Port Townsend LTAC Quimper Events Collective - Page 20 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 24 of 25 Quimper Events Collective Jefferson County Lodging Tax RFP Application Request for 2026 Funding Digital Download Wedding Guide for Wedding Show Ticket Holders included Local Itineraries, Venue/Accommodations/Restaurant Guides Quimper Events Collective - Page 21 RECEIVED 09/10/25 Page 25 of 25