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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM041117Tourism Coordinating Council - Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council April 11, 2017 (DRAFT) The April 11, 2017 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, Debbie Wardrop, Cleone Telling, Aaron Terada • TCC friends present: County Commissioner Kathleen Kler, Christina Pivarnik • TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Chair Bill Roney, called for approval of TCC minutes from the meeting conducted on March 14, 2017. Motion to APPROVAL OF approve by Debbie Wardrop, seconded by Bill Roney. Minutes unanimously MINUTES approved. Steve reviewed the YTD March 2017 financials with TCC. Noting that JeffCo. reports for total General Tax revenues YTD reported ahead of Lodging Tax revenues for first APPROVAL OF TCC time in recent memory. FINANCIALS General Tax 6.77% ahead of budget. JeffCo. Lodging Tax revenues 15.5% ahead of budget. TCC's allocated spending for early 2017 continues to be expended, as anticipated, against budgeted Spring and year-round campaigns. Debbie Wardrop moved for acceptance of January 2017 Financial r eport, seconded by Bill Roney, Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Kier commended TCC on their part with helping L TAC funds trending ICOMMISSIONER'S well. LTAC is exploring potentially new funding application in response to expanded UPDATE scope of tourism funding applic ations received this past year. New department leadership at County, including new DCD and new Environmental Health planners, bring new skill sets to each position. County real estate discussion with TCC, including both a ffordable housing and service level staff housing to support hospitality positions. All will be critic al to maintaining long-term growth of industry throughout Jefferson County. Bill Roney noted numerous Jefferson County natural resource areas and NEW BUSINESS infrastructure projects being targeted for funding in proposed state construction budgets. WTA (Washington Tourism Alliance) Christina Pivarnik updated TCC on current legislative efforts related to HB1123 / SB5251 bills for funding state-wide tourism. WTA REPORT Upcoming revenue forecast is expected to add projected funds to state, helping bipartisan efforts to fund tourism. WTA is proactively developing a marketing plan with RFP for chief marketing officer expected to be ready for July 1St publication. OPTC Report Marsha shared highlights from recent OPTC meeting last week at Fort Worden. About 40 a ttended a lovely celebration of all our Volunteers in the Chapel. • InstaFAM spring campaign continues. Summary of fan followers of all Instagram Olympic Peninsula content contributors exceeds 1.25M potential reach. • Lake Crescent Lodge reopens the end of April. Lak e Crescent highway work OPTC REPORT planned to start May 1. Barb Maynes has retired. Action OPA officer as interim. • Bill successfully carried the NPS resolution for supporting main tenance backlog to OPTC for their affirmation. • Visitor Center seasonal brochure mailing is completed. Calls for brochure inventory starting to come in. TCC Marketing Report - • Steve reviewed TCC marketing work with the Council, highlights included TCC MARKETING details on: COORDINATORS • TCC's Spring "Adventuresome Play" tie-in with Instagram through Sinclair REPORTS Media. Initial audience response analytics to the initial week of aired radio endorsements. • Development of featured "Adventuresome Play" featured trip by Marina Rockinger on our trip planning w ebsite. With the direct web analytics and Digital Media results attributed to this integrated campaign efforts. • Average length of web sessions increased from 9 minutes and 49 seconds to 13 minutes 4 seconds. • Highlights and reflections of Jefferson Co. BoCC tourism work session presentation lead by Bill, Steve and most of Bill's Gateway VIC volunteers! • Steve even shared some Greek tourism findings resulting from his recent travels. AREA UPDATES Area Update Sharing: Port Ludlow: Debbie shared news that the talented Kaitlin Chester has left their marketing team. Leaving big shoes to fill. • 26 boating Rendezvous are sailing in this season. • Golf is back up and running • Housing is hot, with ne w models open a t Olympic Terrace • Easter Brunch will be delicious! • Fireside Restaurant's "Sunday (Wine) School" tasting sessions held the 4 th Sunday of each month. Quilcene Museum - Cleone noted that the Museum work parties are helping get the Museum ready for opening Day April 22nd Anticipated hours will be Friday - Monday IPM - 513M. Open thr ough the 3rd Saturday of September. Credit to a $167,000 Mur dock Foundation grant, phases 4 and 5 of the house renovation are being completed. Gateway VIC - Bill reports poor March visitation numbers at the Gateway. • Parking lot resurfacing underway • New Activity Map is out. AREA UPDATES • Looking forward to the June 4th start of the Sunday Chimacum Farmers Market. (Continue) Tri -Area: Crystie relayed to Steve a number of activities hap pening including: • Chimacum Corner store is installing a windmill to serve as a community gathering spot. • Deborah Taylor, see link, the chef at Staple & Fancy in Seattle who is moving to PT with her husband to open a farm to table restaurant! • Also Keith Rasmussen opening a ne w tap house in Chimacum, hoping t o open by August! In the little yellow house by the nursery, just north of the intersection. 21 and older, open 7 days a week, 15 taps, community oriented fellow excited to build on the Chimacum momen tum • Debbie mentioned all the Finnriv er updates going on at Finnriver. Fort Flagler: Aaron reported busy times at the Park. Thanks to seasonal reservations having started April 1. • Seasonal openings of Beach Comber Ca fe and Museum. • Replaced dock to be installed. • Anderson Lake set to open April 22 nd with state-wide trout fishing. • New Park Ranger 2 recruitment at Fort Flagler underway. Kathleen reports having discussions with Kyle at Kalaloch regarding emergency disaster preparedness planning. Port Townsend Tourism - Christina shared that the Port Townsend is running well with a big USA Today "best small town" voting. Encouraging everyone to get out the vote. Opening Day on the Bay is May 1st JC Chamber - Lorna is looking f orward to seeing the results of Grant Street Kindergarten "A -Z of PT" class assignment she has helped f acilitate. • They will be attending the WA State Association of VIC's in an upcoming conference. • Visitor counts tracking similar with Gateway, with some unseasonably slow days recently. Adjournment - There being no further business, the T CC meeting was adjourned at 11:51 am, Next meeting of TCC is scheduled f or May 9, 2017 10AM at the Andrew's Suite, Inn at Port Ludlow.