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Home My WebLink AboutM030816 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Coordinating Council March 8, 2016 (DRAFT) The March 8, 2016 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson CALL TO ORDER County, was called to order at 10:05am by Chair Bill Roney, noting a quorum present. Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Allison DuRoi, Joy Baisch, Aaron Terada, Larry McKeehan, Debbie Wardrop, Shannon Meyers, Joy Baisch TCC friends present: Christina Pivarnik TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Members and friends Excused: Kathleen Kler, Marsha Massey, Teresa Verraes Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Moved for approval by Debbie APPROVAL OF Wardrop, Second by Larry McKeehan, Chair Bill Roney, called for TCC vote MINUTES approved minutes from the meeting conducted on February 9, 2016. Motion passed unanimously. Steve reviewedthe February 2016 financials with TCC. Noting that JeffCo. reports APPROVAL OF TCC for February have been posted with record 33.7% monthly performance over FINANCIALS budget, and YTD 29.8% ahead of budget. Credit to no winter break on marketing and lodging business, along with suspicion of initial wave of Airbnb lodging tax contributions. Debbie encouraged JeffCo. Treasurer to assist with researching transient rental lodging incomes – without exposing prohibited individual business identifications – which might assist TCC in better understand the impact of the Airbnb sectors contributions into Jefferson County Lodging Tax rolls. On motion by Allison DuRoi, seconded by Joy Baisch, the TCC financials for February 2016 were accepted as received. Motion carried. COMISSIONERS County Commissioner Kathleen Kler was unable to attend TCC meeting, but did REPORT supply a report that seven supplemental grant requests have been received for consideration by Jefferson County LTAC. Chair Bill Roney updated TCC that he wrote to State Legislators a letter of CONTINUING endorsement regarding WTA bridge funding. BUSINESS Bill briefly updated TCC on progress of 501 (c)6 incorporation application filing and required Bylaw work. Thanks was offered to Bud Schindler and Steve for input and review work related to draft Bylaws. Bill continues to work Phillip Morley and will include additional Bylaw review by County Attorney prior to presenting to TCC seeking action. Steve noted that he’ll open a fiscal year 2016/17 set of TCC books on July 1 in preparation for the potential of eventual TCC fiscal administration should 501 (c)6 become a reality. Bill updated TCC that 42,000 Activity Planner Maps are being printed and that the joint Jefferson Co. – Port Townsend city Lodging Matrix map in PT Leader Get Away Guide publication is underway. Bill noted, with appreciation, that the Printery has held Activity Planner Map printing for third straight year. Christina briefed TCC on meetings with Leader staff encouraging goal of travel writing vs. reporting for upcoming Get Away Guide. Emphasis for entire regional destination experiences vs. community-by-community listing of inventories throughout Jefferson County. Steve updated TCC with the current Portland Monthly display ad, successful joint marketing at the Seattle Wine & Food “Grand Tasting” event, and the continuing progress with web additions of UTrip and Aurasma, as well as theSTAR 101.5 TCC MARKETING “Neigh-Cation” marketing efforts. COORDINATORS Impressive social media production focused on NPS Centennial posts, all bode well REPORTS to help enhance visitor engagementthrough additional social media platforms to highlight lodging opportunities during the remainder of 2016. Port Ludlow – Shannon and Debbie noted the “Boat In Movie” with a 50’ screen AREA UPDATES this summer. No “Festival By the Bay” event this year. Black Ball’s “Get Off the Rock” campaign – inclusive of rates on par with Canadian dollar through June was their #1 web traffic driver for February. The soft renovation of the golf course to its original 18-hole masterpiece is getting lots of great press. New home sales continue, with new floorplans being added. Quilcene Museum – Larry reported on the 25 th Anniversary plans for the museum, with five new concerts and plenty of new events being added. Lead paint abatement and 3 rd story roof restoration phases all underway and on- schedule as all efforts aim towards houses’ 125 th birthday celebration in 2017. Restoration “behind-the-scenes” tours will be hosted 1 st Sunday of every month, at 1PM, beginning in May. Emerald Towns – Joy shared that Shrimpfest plans are moving along. Big news is redux of the belt sander race track, into an “official” track, eligible for officially sanctioned belt sander completion! (Who knew!) County work continues on washed out roads. Elk are wandering around looking for non-flooded places to rest. Fort Flagler – Aaron shared that Washington State Parks will host public meetings March 22, 6-8PM regarding the Public-Private Partnerships on properties program. Clarification offered that on only 10 acres of the identified 100 acres of Fort Flagler currently under consideration for Recreation Business Activity (RBA), might potential development occur. De-winterization work continues. Upgrading underground utilities to guest accommodations TBD, tentatively scheduled for April/May time period. Seasonal Beach Concessions will again be open prior to Memorial Day weekend. Port Townsend–Christina shared news of successfully having traveled with Fort Worden to Go West in Alaska, meeting with numerous Receptive Tour Operators seeking packaged lodging bookings. th Upcoming weekend activities, including Key City Players “Playfest”, 24Annual nd Victorian Festival, Farmers Market grand opening April 2, and Fort Worden Taps at the Guardhouse scheduled for May 1. WTA – Christina shared that the Legislative session did not consider tourism ADJORN assessment funding bill this session. Neither will requested $200K of state bridge funding – reduced from initial request for $400K - be allocated to help “keep the lights on”. WTA now working on strategy for web, state call-center, travel guide production & distribution, and Brand USA national membership. Target of September 2016 for state tourism summit with strategy and prep for 2017 Legislative session as primary goal. There being no further business, the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:56 pm, Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for April12, 201610AMat the Andrew’s Suite, Inn at Port Ludlow.