HomeMy WebLinkAboutM031015
Tourism Coordinating Council Jefferson County
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors
March 10, 2015 (DRAFT)
The February 10, 2015 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for CALL TO ORDER
Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:04am by Chair Bill Roney, noting a
quorum present.
Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Allison Willing, Debbie Wardrop,
Jennifer Lampe, Joy Baisch, Bonnie Story, Marsha Massey, Bud Schindler
Members Excused: Mike Zimmerman
TCC Friends in attendance: County Commissionaire Kathleen Kler, Christina
Pivarnik
TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Correction on spelling of name APPROVAL OF
Teresa Verraes noted. On motion by Debbie Wardrop and seconded by Bonnie MINUTES
Story, TCC unanimously approved the corrected minutes from the meeting
conducted on February 10, 2015.
RESIGNAITON
Chair recognized Jennifer Lampe who informed TCC that she has accepted a
AND THANKS
position with Suncadia Resort, resulting in her leaving the area and necessitating
her resignation from TCC. Chair thankedJennifer for her work with TCC and
outstanding leadership on behalf of all Jefferson County tourism.
Steve reviewed the year-to-date March 2015 financials with TCC. Noting that
reprint of the Olympic Peninsula Travel Planner was a large, yet within budget,
financial transaction for TCC this past month.
Year to date County Lodging Tax and Sales Tax receipts through Feb. 2015 are
21.1% better than projections, currentlytrending higher than the final year-end
2014 +15.4% above 4-year average.
Discussion and concern was expressed over annual challenges with 1Q processing
and payment of TCC invoices through Jefferson County. Some invoices are reported
unpaid since December. Some are possibly linked to TCC and County contract clean-
up, but others have no known relationship to contract issues. Similar reports of
concern were shared from Gateway Visitors Center and North Hood Canal
Chamber. Commissioner Kler reported that present LTAC fund balance is
$565,866.70. Debbie, on behalf of County LTAC expressed concern that timely
fulfillment of LTAC allocated funds to Jefferson County tourism producers and
promoters should not suffer distribution of approved and readily available funds.
Commissioner Kler will discuss this issue with County Administrator. If needed LTAC
will be reconvened to address. TCC asked Bill to represent Council as appropriated
with the County in effort to end this apparently annual inability to provide regular
funding of approved and necessary TCC invoices.
APPROVAL OF
TCC FINANCIALS
On motion by Allison Willing, Seconded Joy Baisch the TCC financials through
February, 2015 were accepted as received. Motion Carried.
County Commissioner Kathleen Kler briefed TCC on a number of on-going activities
of interest to County tourism, including:
COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
inclusive of lobbying efforts for HB 1938 supporting state tourism assessment.
REPORT
Jefferson County still lags behind other parts of state in terms of economic
recovery. Current BoCC work in partnership with Brinnion and City of PT to forecast
population growth trends.
One harbinger of economic recovery is that most counties are suffering a lack of
Planners to staff and fulfill development requests.
Marsha Massey updated TCC on general OPTC meeting and Spring Marketing
campaign (Olympic
OPVB / OPTC
REPORT
Victoria and Vancouver markets.
Steve is part of OPTC workgroup developing RFQQ for new OlympicPeninsula.org
website.
Electric Vehicle charging station progress and installation options are continuing to
be discussed.
Olympic National Park numbers are seasonally down for Hurricane Ridge due to
lack of snow, yet Park trails and beach attendance is up thanks to early arrival of
Spring-like conditions. ONP is still awaiting decision of possible entrance fee
increase.
nd
OPVB will be moving offices, 2 week of April, staying in Port Angeles.
TCC CHAIRS
Bill and Steve reported that productive meetings with County Administrator
REPORT ON OLD
regarding TCC contracts and administration have resulted in successful signatures
BUSINESS
on all agreements.
Bill will be again be
incorporation filing process. County Administrator expressed support for non-profit
filing, and interest in LTAC funding models used elsewhere.
TCC MARKETING
Steve reviewed the supplied Marketing Coordinators report, highlighting WTA
COORDINATORS
Summit attendance; WA State Filmworks tax credit extension needs; Winter B2B
REPORTS
issue of eNews sent to TCC stakeholders; House
Restaurant in Sunset; 30 of 72 listings on the new Culinary Adventure Map are from
Jefferson County; new Instagram social media platform still in works; desk audit of
TCC Marketing Coordinators current work; and representing TCC & Olympic
Peninsula along with Christina, Mary Brelsford and Shannon Meyers at upcoming
Visit Kitsap annual meeting. Steve reviewed ongoing social media and strategies;
Area Updates:
AREA UPDATES
a) Port Ludlow Debbie Reported
Buffets
are planned. Lots of golf rendezvous. Again sponsoring Wooden Board Fest with
shuttle. Bill thanked Debbie and Chef Dan for hosting an excellent FAM tour for VIC
reps from Gateway, Port Townsend, and Poulsbo recently. Debbie noted that Chef
Dan is cooking up an October culinary retreat for foodies. Yum!
b) Quilcene Museum Bonnie Shared info regarding two upcoming
le
Homesteader banjo event. S
Leland. Museum on track for opening in April. Upcoming Linger Longer stage
highlights.
c) North Hood Canal Chamber Joy shared that the Dosewallips road is
open. Still some culvert crossings. Without snow in mountains hope is for stream
flows to remain strong. Joy is very interested in the Military Travel Fair day, April 26
at the Tacoma Convention Center.
e) Marrowstone Allison Writers on the Beach event details were
discussed.
f) Port Townsend
eam to promote
with a ½ page ad in May/June NW
Travel Magazine, featuring the Rhody Festival, Rhody Run, Fort Worden Open
th
House June 13 and return of July 4 Fireworks.
Port Townsend is targeting Oregon Spring Break (week before Easter).
Proud of being named one of Top 10 Most Beautiful Towns!
Second weekend of Playfest has great attendance, co-op ads in Stranger
(Seattle) and Mercury (Portland) publications have produced good ROI.
rd
Upcoming: Victorian Fest (3 weekend March), Easter weekend opening of
New Business:
NEW BUSINESS
Bill noted completion of updates with Jefferson County regarding review of annual
status of contracting with TCC
upcoming. Scop
noted. TCC desires continued roles of collaborative representation across region
MARKETING
On motion by Allison Willing, seconded by Debbie Wardrop TCC approved
COORDINTORS
increase of TCC Marketing Coordinators professional services contract to $1,500 /
CONTRACT
month. Instructing Chair to request a supplemental budget increase of $6,000 to
SERVICES
fund this increase for 2015. Motion unanimously carried.
INCREASE
Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for April 14, 2015 10AM at the offices of Port
NEXT MEETING
Ludlow Associates.
There being no further business, the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:23 pm.
Adjourn