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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM111417Tourism Coordinating Council —Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council November 14, 2017 (DRAFT) The November 14, 2017 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:07am by Chair Bill Roney, noting a quorum present. Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Debbie Wardrop, Crystie Kisler, Aaron Terada, Marsha Massey TCC friends present: Christina Pivarnik TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. Moved for approval of TCC minutes from the meeting conducted on October 10, 2017, by Debbie Wardrop. Motion to seconded by Bill Roney. Unanimously approved. Steve reviewed the TCC YTD October 2017 financials. Noting that Jefferson County Treasurer reports General Sales Tax missing YTD by just -0.02% under budget, while Lodging Tax again is at record highs for the period. With current actual over 2017 budget by 20.3%. TCC's allocated spending for 2017 continues to be expended as anticipated against budgeted year-round campaigns. TCC is also pleased that LTAC recommended full 2018 funding of TCC's requested $150,000 was forwarded to JeffCo. BOCC for budgetary approval. Motion to approve current TCC Financials by Debbie Wardrop. Motion to seconded by Bill Roney. October TCC Financial report unanimously approved. New Business: TCC approved commenting opposition to proposed National Parks admission fee increase for Olympic, Mount Rainier and 15 other National Parks. Steve and Bill will coordinate delivering TCC comments to NPS. All TCC is invited to the December OPTC meeting, December 7 at Port Ludlow. Marsha briefed TCC on the following OPTC highlights: • OPTC renewed IPW and 2018 Visit Seattle industry travel trade planner ads. • Early Tourism Summit evaluations are being reviewed. Largely positive with plenty of well-deserved praise for Port Angeles host and OPVB's leadership. Just over 140 people attended. Thanks to lots of in-kind services — e.g. PA Schools, PA City and Chamber and Black Ball / MV Coho Ferry — the preliminary Summit financials are looking good. • December's OPTC will have a discussion on what future Summit's will look like, with OPTC partners decisions to be made in January. • Renewed exploration of marketing to Military family travelers, inclusive of upcoming travel show vendor display will be lead by Steve and Namaste Cousins of Sequim's Holiday Inn Express. • Mason Co. has confirmed that under leadership of new tourism marketing team, they will return to OPTC and the Olympic Culinary Loop in 2018. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF TCC FINANCIALS NEW BUSINESS OPTC UPDATE Steve share current marketing insights and promotional results to TCC. Topics covered included: TCC MARKETING • Numerous display and digital ad placements, inclusive of Portland and Seattle COORDINATORS bus campaigns, all supporting TCC's fall into winter marketing efforts. REPORT • Reviewed recent promotional activity for Jefferson County Farm Tour and very successful —15t annual — Apple and Cider Festival. • TCC's process with state -level tourism leadership related to National Park fee proposal support obtained from WA Hospitality Association. • Steve gave TCC a primer on "Overtourism"; reviewing existing global analysis on the issue and reviewing the National Geographic Society's "Geotourism" principals for sustainable tourism. Implications are important for TCC, (as well as Jefferson LTAC and OPTC), to be intentional when moving forward so that future and on-going successes don't result in unstainable Overtourim. Port Ludlow— Debbie shared information of a continuation of trend of plenty of AREA UPDATES same-day independent traveler — and short planning horizon — group business. Fall has been busy at the Inn, with a midweek full -house on a recent Wednesday. Knitters group was checking out today. They are again booked for three retreats in 2018. The Fireside restaurant is fully booked for Thanksgiving dinner, with good advance reservations for culinary events through the end of the year. Gateway VIC — Bill shared the good news that Gateway VIC enjoyed its best October since 2013. Travelers are approximately 10% local, 50% 1-5 Corridor and 40+% out-of-state (with FL, TX and CA topping the visitors, and leading the pack in asking about relocation information). Bill continues to coordinate the Jefferson County content for the OPTC Travel Planner. Bill again invited everyone to Kalaloch for the annual West End Historic Society meet -up the weekend of November 17-19. WTA - Christina reported that WTA has identified that - from a pool of 11 bids - a marketing firm to write the state-wide marketing plan and related method for measuring resulting impact analytics. Legislative WTA rally will be January 30, 2018 in Olympia. TCC extended deep thanks to Christina for all her efforts on our behalf through her many years of serving on WTA. Port Townsend Marketing — Christina shared good news of the continuing activities and upcoming Port Townsend holiday marketing efforts. Lots of upcoming radio, digital and print marketing for Port Townsend, many co- opted with Fort Worden, including Seattle Times and Oregonian ads. Planning underway for "pardon our dust" messaging efforts to address Port Townsend's numerous upcoming infrastructure projects. Tri -Area, Chimacum — Crystie reported on numerous Tri -Areas activities, including: a) Good Harvest Wine Tour. Megan is their new events coordinator. b) WSU Extension now has Clea Rome as new Extension Director c) December 7-10 Chimacum Craft Fair / Fiber event is coming up AREA UPDATES d) Work is underway on rebranding Chimacum Grange property and its legacy mission (Continue) e) Finnriver will be hosting an New Year's eve family friendly event. f) Finnriver has finally hit solar array funding goal! Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:20 pm ADJORN Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for December 12, 2017 LOAM at the Andrew's Suite, Inn at Port Ludlow.