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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM011017 Tourism Coordinating Council Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council January, 10 2017 (DRAFT) The January 10, 2017 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for CALL TO ORDER Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:09am by Chair Bill Roney, noting a quorum present. Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Aaron Terada, Shannon Allman-Meyers TCC friends present: County Commissioner Kathleen Kler, Christina Pivarnik TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Bill welcomed all to 2017, taking a moment to extend special TCC thanks for the collaborative good work everyone has contributed to help make 2016 a very successful tourism marketing year for the Olympic Peninsula. Adding great hope for an even better 2017. Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Chair Bill Roney, called for approval of TCC minutes from the meeting conducted on December 13, 2016. Motion to APPROVAL OF approve by Shannon Allman-Meyer, Seconded by Bill Roney. Minutes unanimously MINUTES approved. Steve reviewed the year end December 2016 financials with TCC. Noting that APPROVAL OF JeffCo. reports for total General Tax revenues ended the year 9.8% ahead of TCC FINANCIALS budget. JeffCo. Lodging Tax revenues ended 2016 16.5% ahead of budget and 39.1% ahead of the previous 4-year average. Approved 2017 TCC budget, care of allocation, was distributed. TCC discussion regarding ongoing JeffCo. Finance and LTAC thoughts related to tourism supporting infrastructure investments. Discussions included need for additional education and clarification that such infrastructure must be wholly owned by the County, and uncertainty regarding visitors impacts both locally with upcoming Elwha River bridge and Lake Crescent road construction and domestic tourism. All scenarios leading to current position of no anticipated supplemental budget opportunities in 2017. Marsha Massey moved for acceptance of December 2016 and 2017 Financial reports, seconded by Shannon Allman-Meyers, Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Kler updated TCC on many tourism related topics including: UPDATE Addition of new Commissioner Kate Dean, who Bill Roney has sent a TCC welcome and overview letter to. County Commissioners divide staffing of 43 committees. Commissioner Kler pleased to select reassignment to TCC. Successful attendance at both Westend Weekend Days and Qulicene Worthington House Museum Christmas gathering. Ongoing County investment in roads, bridges and public safety & comfort amenities critical to both visitors and residents. NEW BUSINESS Chair Bill Roney reviewed a proposed letter of endorsement with TCC for recommending renewal of contract marketing coordinato r with Steve Shively, dba S3 Solutions, for 2017. Motion to endorse renewal and forward recommendation to BOCC was moved by Aaron Terada, seconded by Shannon Allman-Meyers. Action unamiously approved. Commissioner Kler offered to carry Bill endorsement to County for processing. Jefferson Co. Activity Map reprint Chair Bill Roney reported reprinting quotes ON GOING and lead discussion on increasing printing from 43,000 to 45,000. Bill Roney moved BUSINESS and Shannon Allman-Meyers seconded that TCC increase Activity Map printing to 45,000 for quoted sum of $4,237.80. Motion carried. Chair Bill Roney, collaborated by Christina Pivarnik, reviewed both past campaigns and current quote for printing Jeff. Co. lodging accommodation matrix and corresponding After good discussion on both strategy and objective outcomes for the 2017 guide Aaron Terada moved and Shannon Allman-Meyers seconded that TCC contract with the Leader for purchasing accommodations matrix ($1,849) and full page ad ($1,462). Motion carried. WTA (Washington Tourism Alliance) legislative preparations and update was shared WTA REPORT by Christina Pivarnik. Plans are that new bills for funding state-wide tourism will be submitted early in the upcoming 2017 Legislative session. Bipartisan bill highlights, strategy and meetings with District 24 Legislators will be featured January 24 at the free Tourism Summit in Olympia. Christina encouraged everyone to attend the full day of education, networking and advocacy, vital to our state-wide efforts for sustainable tourism marketing. OPTC Report Marsha shared highlights from recent OPTC meeting. Topics included: OPTC REPORT End of year wrap-ups. Including College presentation, on-going Marketing Sub-committee work, plus updates on 2017 Travel Planner progress. January OPTC meeting is annual planning with partners. February 2 will be first full OPTC meeting of 2017. TCC Marketing Report - Steve reviewed recent and upcoming TCC marketing work with the Council, TCC MARKETING highlights included details on: COORDINATORS Audience demographics driven rational for upgrading REPORTS EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com website to a Mobile First platform Spring campaign supporting planned OPTC Adventure persona Instagram emphasis TCC MARKETING Survey findings regarding most trusted types of ads when consumers are COORDINATORS making purchase decisions. REPORTS (Cont.) Reflections and results of exhibiting at Jan. 6 Tacoma Travel Expo. Good Chevy Cha Ongoing: Digital Media results Area Update Sharing: AREA UPDATES Port Ludlow: Shannon Reported Jumping into 2017 after successful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Successful 38 hours Flash Sale resulting in 540 room nights sold with average stay of 1.7 day length of stay, a great new years kick-off, supporting the on going work on Port Ludlows Things To Do page continues to draw in travelers and can be credited with helping extend reservation length of stay. Port Townsend Tourism Christina shared their Port Townsend marketing highlights including: Winter marketing continues into early January for Port Townsend. Feb/March magazine of having some extra end-of-year funds. -8% web page view increases. Good December in Port Townsend. Extensive upcoming development in 2017. Discussion on addressing dark downtown in conjunction with 2017-18 Water Street repaving project. Goal of getting more lights downtown. Increased co-opt marketing with Fort Worden in 2017. Olympic Gateway Visitors Center Bill reported flat visitation figures for 2016 Gateway VIC over 2015. Last year tracked overnight length of stay. In 2017 new survey question will be where are visitors are staying, e.g. staying with friend, camp, vacation rental, motel/hotel. Fantastic First Night celebration, excellent fireworks and anchor raising Fort Flagler State Park- Aaron reported ongoing electrical project throughout park, moving previous overhead utilities underground. Construction ends late January. Construction has impacted vacation housing rentals. Camping continues to increase over past years thanks to advance reservations. Adjournment - There being no further business, the TCC meeting was adjourned at ADJORN 11:56 am, Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for February 14, 2017 10AM at the Suite, Inn at Port Ludlow.