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Home My WebLink AboutM051314 Tourism Coordinating Council Jefferson County Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors May 13, 2014 At 10:04am Chairman Bill Roney called to order the meeting of the TourismCALL TO ORDER Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, noting a quorum present. Voting Members present were: Allison Willing, Jennifer Lampe, Walter Kochansky, Joy Baisch, Mike Zimmerman, Member Excused were: Diane Schostak and Larry McKeehan TCC Friends in attendance: Christina Pivarnik and John Austin TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively On motion by Mike Zimmerman and seconded by Jennifer Lampe, TCC APPROVAL OF unanimously approved the minutes from the meeting conducted on April 8, 2014. MINUTES Bill reviewed the TCC transactions of the past month, noting savings over budget on FINANCIAL REPORT On motion by Allison Willing and seconded Jennifer Lampe, TCC unanimously voted to approve the April TCC Financial Report. A.Bill reviewed a previously communicated e-mail notification to TCC that ADDITIONS TO proposed funding of $300 for transitional orientation and training of new TCC AGENDA Marketing Coordinator Steve Shively during the last half of April. Discussion concluded that funding come from Digital Marketing category. On motion by Jennifer Lampe and seconded by Allison Willing, TCC unanimously voted to approve this authorized expenditure B. Bill, Christina, Jennifer and Steve spoke on an OPTC request from Diane that TCC partner in supporting a German FAM tour of OP, featuring lodging and accommodations at both Inn at Port Ludlow and Kalaloch Lodge. This large and successful FAM tour was organized by Lufthansa Air, Visit Seattle and Brand USA. Affirmation was expressed for the potential FIT and packaged tour travelers resulting from this tour, however universal desire for more advance notice was voiced by all. On motion by Mike Zimmerman and seconded by Allison Willing, with one abstention (Lampe), TCC approved allocation of $500 from Opportunities (Ads) TCC budget category Commissioner John Austin updated TCC on the following: A.Successful DNR Trust Fund transfer of 300 acres adjacent to Beausite Lake, creating expanded multimodal recreation and trail opportunities. UPDATE B.Good progress on Dosewallips State Park waste water treatment plant. Eventually promising to providea much needed resource to the park and capacity for numerous community hook-ups. C.Updated general sales tax receipts and motel / hotel lodging tax figuresfor April were distributed and reviewed. YTD trending is tracking well. OPTC UPDATE important role as a collaborator to overall Olympic Peninsula tourism promotion. MARKETING Steve thanked TCC, Kitti de Long and Diane Schostak for assistance and patience COORDINATORS throughout his TCC Marketing Coordinators steep learning curve! REPORT Steve reviewed the TCC digital inventory and assessm a SWOT analysis of the TCC strategic marketing plan. Branding of Visit the Dragon and baseline implementation and minimal campaign- to-date impacts through TCC web and Facebook platforms was reviewed. Coordinating keywords, content and emphasis on TCC mission-focused locations and activities is strongly recommended. By voiced consensus TCC encouraged work on www.emeraldtowns.com, and Stefanie Rotmark and Mary Brelsford on (OlympicPeninsula.org) and Teresa Verraes (www.visitjeffersoncountywa.com). Bill will write to thank Bonnie for her TCC service and provide introduction for Alternative TCC digital media communications potential was discussed via existing domain www.HEARTOFTHEOLYMPICS.org or another domain which better communicates the Olympic Peninsula sense of place. TCC encouraged Steve to quickly work on identifying alternate domains and related social media platforms in order to link with current OPTC Spring Campaign messages underway. Bill reported that Aldrith Aldryth O'Hara, CPA with Gooding O'Hara & Mackey PS, 501(c)6 Port Townsend will review and provide TCC with recommendations regarding INCORPORATION pursuit of TCC non-profit status. WTA Christina provided Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA) update: AREA UPDATES Recent in person WTA Board meeting reviewed. HB 2229 has passed resulting in optimistic meeting on assessment collection process with DOR. Resulting bridge- funding is operating state visitors call center and paying fulfillment on visitors travel planner requests. -committees: 1.Branding 2.Website & digital marketing (Chaired by Diane) 3.Destination Development (Chaired by Christina) 4.Tourism Sales 5.International Outreach Timeline is for draft marketing plan by late summer 2014. Finalized this December Port Townsend - Christina updated TCC on numerous upcoming activities and milestones: This week Rhody Festival Memorial Day Weekend Artesian Food Festival, celebrating bountiful county June 6-8 - Steampunk Festival. Co- opt advertising in Stranger and Portland Mercury publications. A number of Bests: as best place to listen music. King 5 Port Townsend 2 nd best tourist town (Leavenworth #1) CBS News Port Townsend Best beach town places to retire. Fort Worden PDA took over May 1 st. New branding, new strategic marketing plan reservation system.May 31 Grand Opening celebration with Nandaplanned. Enjoy Port Townsend website redesigned in a Responsive Web Format (enabling compatible view on all internet devises). Social media platform Instagram added. Full of lovely photos for visitor engagement. Port Ludlow Jennifer reports that plenty is in production. Stay tuned! Upcoming first of four farm maker dinners. Food and Wine weekend, June 27-29 SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboards) being added to kayak rental options. Quilcene Museum - S AREA UPDATES (Cont.) Museum open for the season (April -September, Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon from 1 -5 pm) 10 events scheduled on Stage at adjoining Worthington Park property Packaging a "Season" ticket priced at $100, good for 3 concerts plus wine tasting event with VIP parking and gifts. North Hood Canal Chamber and ETA - Joy shared the following highlights and happenings: Memorial Day weekend - Shrimp Fest! Again to be held between theYelvik General store and the Cove RV Park & Country Store. Free admission to active Military and Vets. Thanks to a great shrimp catch plenty to eat and celebrate. Lots of hikers, bikers, waterfall trail and VIC visitors. Shell fishing has been great too. Agreement with John that the Dosewallips waste water treatment plant will be a much needed addition to the Brinnon area. Joy had great Olympic Peninsula tourism response representing our area at a recent NSAB Whidbey tourism promotion. Lots of educating on ferry reservations, Native American culture and north end surfing opportunities. Fort Flagler Mike reported that Anderson Lake has been closed to fishing after only a week + run, park remains open for other recreation. Advance reservation season opens May 15 for Fort Flagler. Advance reservations for season looks good. Possible upcoming Legislative tour week of June 23, Dose, Fort Worden and hopefully Flagler will offer looks at infrastructure and potential cabin installations. Annual Seaweed season opens soon, shellfish season opening May 15 for balance of 2014 sans red tide closures opens soon. Forecast is for great Salmon Season. We all should celebrate this great news! Marrowstone Allison reported DFW has been in contact with area property for potential restoration and protect project regarding Kilisut Harbor / Oak Bay Reconnection and the resulting causeway work. Project still in early stages NEW BUSINESS No new business The next TCC Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th at 10:00am, NEXT MEETING location TBD. There being no further business, the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:14pm. ADJOURN