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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM080916 Tourism Coordinating Council Jefferson County Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Coordinating Council August 9, 2016 (DRAFT) The August 9, 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, Marsha Massey, Joy Baisch, Cleone Telling, Aaron Terada, Kyle Forgey, TCC friends present: Christina Pivarnik, Teresa Verraes TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Chair Bill Roney, called for TCC vote APPROVAL OF approved minutes from the meeting conducted on June 14, 2016. Moved for MINUTES approval by Joy Baisch, Seconded by Cleone Telling, Motion passed unanimously. Steve reviewed the July 2016 financials with TCC. Noting that JeffCo. reports for APPROVAL OF TCC General Taxes are 8% above trending average. Lodging continues record levels, FINANCIALS reporting positive 24.3% YTD performance ahead of budget. Moved by Joy Baisch, Seconded by Cleone Telling Motion passed unanimously. Gaining further understanding on Airbnb lodging tax contributions remains a goal of TCC. When combined with N. Olympic Peninsula Conversion Study, which TCC has banked capacity for helping with study. Bill reported Gateway in-house study recorded of 19% of their VIC visitors. Average length of stay. Demonstrating core Conversion Study questions wed all like to ask of our visitors. Christina asked for clarification of Tourism Summit funding payment. It was researched after meeting between Steve and Marsha and the correct allocation has been updated on TCC budget ledger. OPTC Report Marsha shared the following highlights from recent OPTC meeting: Park, NoAA, reports JEFFERSON GeoTours Mary working on details. 9/24 is the big kick-off COUNTY FARM Fall marketing underway, most ads placed. GeekWire, Co-opt Bus boards TOUR with TCC in Portland and return of Seattle metro busses are among highlights. Map Olympic Peninsula NP Map. We now better understand the NPS OPTC REPORT annual October map distribution formula, and can expand consideration for a potential Peninsula pad map which meets our many needs. Stef research goal of 20K pad map possibility Stef leaving. Interviews and target for her replacement are aiming for end of August With Stef contracted to provide part-time project assistance on st to OPVB staff through end of year Sept. 1 is her last day. TCC Marketing Report - TCC MARKETING Steve reviews his prepared report with Council, highlighting fall TCC focused COORDINATORS marketing with varied media platforms such as: Portland Transit, Seattle Radio REPORTS (STAR 101.5), UTrip web-user engagement and various print and digital Upcoming events include working with film crew from NOAA promoting coastal tourism at Kalaloch Lodge and other west coast National Marine Sanctuary locations. Area Update Sharing: th Quilcene Museum Cleone reported their upcoming Tasting Gala August 12 Beer, AREA UPDATES Wine and Cider event. Noting general challenges of festivals attracting food vendors and County health special event permits. This was echoed by many as a significant cost of doing business in the County, with recommendations that TCC should encourage both seated County Commissioners and candidates to take part in this conversation. Gateway VIC Bill noted that July was a great month at the VIC, up 10%. A VIC volunteer helped deliver CPR to a visitor suffering a heart attack. World class hospitality and first-responder emergency medical service too boot! Bill is excited by the potential of a unified and expanded Olympic Peninsula pad map, especially how it might help reduce visitor congestion as Heart of the Hills, Hoh and other popular NP, Forest Service visitor centers. Emerald Towns Joy reviewed past Shrimpfest and ongoing master plan development issues. th Raising up the 8/10 of a mile gap needing correction for the upper Dosewallips Road can once again connect 6-mile bridge to 10-mile bridge and the accessible wilderness beyond. Bill notes that this is the only ADA accessible Federal campground on the west side of Olympics. TCC encouraged Joy to reach out to Barbara Maynes of Olympic NPS to explore positional petition signing campaign for encouraging road completion. Fort Flagler Aaron was pleased to report a productive summer with full campgrounds and a full staff at the Fort. Two concerts by their Friends group with an upcoming September 4 concert. Pokeman GO has been an unwelcome craze with some visitors not exhibiting Happy Camper manners as they hunt Pokes. Next big event being hosted at Flagler is the October Permaculture Conference. Chamber Teresa reported good news from Tri-Area with 873 free summer meals served at Heart of Hadlock Days. At Finnriver Day one-man play; had the crowd buzzing with enjoyment! At the VIC, 12 volunteers have received awards from President Obama for 250+ hours of service. VIC numbers are showing positive growth over previous three months. AREA UPDATES Special emphasis on wedding and events group. Developing a gridal packet with (cont.) loveontheolympicpeninsula.com website being developed in time for Januarys big Seattle Wedding Show sharing booth with Fort Worden. Looking forward to the Aug. 24 Beach & Boat- Port Townsend Christina highlight a variety of recent and upcoming activities in Port Townsend. Including: Jefferson County Fair, Uptown Street Fair, record attendance for this seasons Concerts on the Dock shows, Sold out Olympic Music Festival at the Wheeler. Final Fort Worden Jazz and Blues weeks are full with students. Focused Port Townsend winter campaign for holiday season designed to help robust YTD lodging tax numbers for city. Olympic Tourism Summit is underway. Highlights include: Two-day Summit, Thurs and Friday, October 27 & 28 at Fort Worden. Day One is - Culinary Day with Culinary Loops Lunch & Learn, Afternoon persona based excursions, an Officer Row Progressive Taste of the Peninsula, concluded by a Fort Worden hosted dessert reception. Yum! Day Two details and on-line registration, including sponsor opportunities are coming soon. WTA Christina updated TCC on numerous Washington Tourism Alliance details, including: WTAs Executive Director resigned in early July. Branding / PR firm contracted to get message out and funding legislation passed. Rodger Dow Brand USA Travel Assoc. will key WTA Summit, to be held at Crown Plaza Airport, SeaTac, Oct. 14 8AM 5PM. There being no further business, the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am, ADJORN Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for September 13, 2016 10AM at the Suite, Inn at Port Ludlow.