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Home My WebLink AboutM111015 Tourism Coordinating Council Jefferson County Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors November 10, 2015 (DRAFT) The November 10, 2015 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson CALL TO ORDER County, was called to order at 10:09 amby Chair Bill Roney, noting a quorum present. Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Joy Baisch, Allison DuRoi, Bonnie Story, Bud Schindler, Shannon Meyers, Marsha Massey. Friends present were: Aaron Terada, Teresa Verraes, Christina Pivarnik TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. On motion by Bonnie Story, and APPROVAL OF MINUTES seconded by Allison DuRoi, TCC unanimously approved minutes from the meeting conducted on October 13, 2015. Motion carried. Steve reviewed the available year-to-date November 2015 financials with TCC. As of APPROVAL OF TCC meeting the Jefferson Co. monthly financials were not yet posted. Once posted these FINANCIALS documents will be included in the meeting minutes (see attached). YTD review referenced the Jefferson Co. reporting provided at OPTC (Jefferson Co. up 18.4%), Marsha noted that reporting does not reflect year-to-date, rather 4-year trend to date, combined as always with the multi month lag from WA Dept. of Revenue. Steve commented that regardless of the review lens, the TCC financials continued positive trending in lodging revenue of actuals vs. MTD budgeted tax revenues by 18-25%, forecasting strong finish for 2015. On motion by Allison DuRoi, seconded by Bonnie Story, the TCC financials YTD October, 2015 were accepted as received. Motion carried. APPROVAL TCC reviewed draft letters: OF SENDING a) To on behalf of Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission Review of proposed COROSPON- WDFW rule changes associated with Steelhead retention, gear changes, bait usage, and DENCE angling access on North Coastal rivers; TCC view is that proposed changes could have a negative impact on the majority of our visiting anglers, our local guides and our economy. TCC also asked to be notified as to further public hearings on this matter. Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, with Jefferson County Planning b) To Commission on behalf of Requested consideration of TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) hearing, and related study, on the proposed Olympic Discovery Trail extension 4- Corners to Gardiner. and deserves review. TCC felt that this a project that merits support OPTC REPORT After TCC discussion, including letter edits, letter a) on motion by Bill Roney, seconded by Joy Baish, and letter b) on motion by Bill Roney, seconded by Allison DuRoi, TCC unanimously approved sending both letters on behalf of TCC. Motions carried. Marsha provided an OPTC briefing, including reports of: Large recent OPTC meeting attendance in Sequim, enthusiasm can be credited to Summit success. Briefing from both Olympic NP and National Forest staff on weather study and on-going E-warfare testing range issues. Tourism Summit recap: 140 attendees. Post event survey going out. Good feedback thus far by all. Increased engagement for OCL / Fort Worden Tuesday pre-events of Overall excellent with MUCH thanks to the many TCC partners who helped throughout. cenic By-Way manager) hosting a series of meetings. All are encouraged to attend at least one. Fall FAM tours are Done! Compiling the stats and great exposure. Especially garnered from both travel writers and tour operators of France, the UK and Germany. WILD Olympic Group Rep. Kilmer in touch with REI & Patagonia partnership flagship Seattle store. Olympic Peninsula will be their point of celebration. Lots of good traffic REI black Friday #OPTOutside, #OlympicPeninsula Travel Planner deadlines underway. Application filed for 501c6 incorporation consideration. Listing of officers need: TCC NON-PROFIT FILLING approved by consensus titles and 2016 positions of: Chair/President Bill Roney, Vice- BOARD Chair/V.P. Joy Baisch, Secretary Steve Shively. were SEATS discussed. Still seeking TCC board member to fill that role. Bill reviewed Travel Planner work and TCC discussed placement of lodging list and ad for 2016 In Getaway Guide. Steve updated TCC on preparations for LTAC presentation, including one-time banked capacity request from Jefferson County Lodging Tax revenue reserves for collaborative funding and commissioning of a scholarly Conversion Study into Tourism Advertising ROI. TCC MARKETING Steve asked if Aaron could find more information on planned WA State Parks Guide COORD. publication. The RFP indicates a publication, supported by advertising, which REPORTS TCC should consider marketing in. On-going marketing efforts were discussed, including seasonal renewing of TCC Certified Folder will extend our digital ads in both San Francisco Bay area and Vancouver BC for very nominal additional fee, without requirements of supporting Activity Guide placement in those locations. After discussion TCC authorized Steve to submit, on behalf of TCC, 2016 LTAC funding application for $120,000 marketing / operations budget and $20,000 request for banked capacity of Conversion Study. Ongoing discussions with Utrip.com into how this self-curated travel planning tool could help visitors to the EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com site. Area Update reporting included these highlights: AREA UPDATES Port Ludlow Shannon shared excitement that that their Thanksgiving banquet has already sold out. . Good linkage for Port Ludlow events through N. Kitsap Community Facebook page. New additions of Sarah McHugh Group Sales. New Director Golf Shelly Washburn new GM for Golf. Plenty of fall lodging packages -line today. Tag line for current promotions includes: Quilcene Bonnie shared plenty of Holiday happenings, including: Crafts Fair on 11/28, food bank benefit, with crafts, and Santa on his vintage sleigh Town tree light 12/5 Worthington Park Project going great. Two of 5 major project phases complete: 1) Buy it ($300K done!), 2) Restore It (Re-Reroofing complete. More to do!) $1M raised thus far AREA Garden Club - $5K grants (Memorial Day plant sales), distributing school backpacks. UPDATES YMCA summer programs being distributed. (Cont.) Linger Longer Save the date: Aug. 6 Lobo De Mar big concert. Last Sat. in Sept. 24 th, ½ Marathon, 10K, 5K kudos to Joe and Joy for prepping North Hood Canal Joy Reports that Elk are back, beaches are full. Lots of Birding activity. And the entire Dosewallips area is BUSY! Emerald Towns Alliance is proposing consolidated marketing for area through 2016 LTAC funding request, Including annual events such as ShrimpFest. Pleasant Harbor Marine Resort is seeking on-site Manager for their Bistro and houseboat rentals. Port Townsend / E. Jeff. Co. Chamber of event. Planned collaboration with TCC and Chamber on LTAC presented projects and promotions. Chambers 2016 LTAC request will focus on: Map, Movie Night (at Pt. Ludow on a summer Thursday), Highway Signs Website building out itineraries and accommodations real- Fort Flagler Welcome Aaron! He updated TCC on on-working out kinks with new management plan. New Park staff includes: Two full time Rangers: Josh Person Ranger 2 & Abby Gullet - Ranger 1 Changing house keeper policy. Moving away from self-cleaning by guests to new housekeeping included in rental concept. Year round lower campground. All 68 sites full hook-ups. Business has only now started to slow down. New visitors center at main gate, plus power supply replacements are all part of $4M invest at Fort Flagler over next 2 . Infrastructure investments couple with funding from Friends group and grants from Parks Foundation for direction and interpretative sign improvements. Adjourn The TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:23 pm Next meeting date: December 8, 2015 10AM