HomeMy WebLinkAboutM021318Tourism Coordinating Council — Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
February 13, 2018 (DRAFT)
The February 13, 2018 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for CALL TO ORDER
Jefferson County, was called to order at 11:03am by Chair Bill Roney, after a live
webinar presentation of the WTA State Wide Marketing plan, lead by Mike Moe
(WA Tourism Alliance) and Stacia Allen (Green Rubino Marketing). And a
combined coffee and cookie toast to Christina Pivarnik for her 7+ years of state-
wide work on helping get State Wide Marketing funding restored. "Here, Here!"
TCC Chair Roney noted a quorum present.
• Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Debbie Wardrop, Marsha
Massey, Aaron Terada, Joy Baisch
• TCC friends present: Commissioner Kathleen Kler, Christina Pivarnik
• TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. A move to approve TCC minutes
from the meeting conducted on January 9, 2018, was made by Joy Baisch. APPROVAL OF
Motion to second by Bill Roney. Unanimously approved. MINUTES
Steve reviewed the TCC 2017 January financials with council. Noting that APPROVAL OF
January's Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax exceeded budget by 13.6%. Commissioner TCC FINANCIALS
Kler noted that the Jefferson Co. Auditor commented that this is the highest
January revenue report of all time.
Bill and Steve brief TCC on status of working with Jefferson Co. to get all
agreements and annual contractors notifications signed by BoCC and County
Administrator. TCC's January tourism marketing purchases haven't yet been
reflected in our YTD budget, awaiting finalized agreements. Bill noted that TCC
Chair has again been authorized to endorse marketing purchases on behalf of
TCC, inclusive of our annual cooperative marketing agreement with OPTC.
Motion to approve current TCC Financials by Joy Baisch. Motion seconded by Bill
Roney. January TCC Financial report approved.
COMMISSIONERS
Commissioners Report: Commissioner Kler reported that LTAC is aiming for a REPORT
March approval of a new and improved LTAC application. In March Jefferson
County finance will confer with LTAC and a determination will be made regarding
potential 2018 supplemental funding opportunities.
Black Point Master Planning hearing to be set soon.
OPTC Update: Marsha Massey updated TCC on the selection of JayRay, a
branding, advertising and strategic communications agency in Tacoma, to OPTC UPDATE
develop the new OlympicPeninsula.org website and related refresh of the OPTC
brand. Steve and Bill, Christina and Marsha are all part of the OPTC Web
Committee working with JayRay on the design program. Marsha is exploring
opportunities of Port of Seattle grant request for possible multi -language website
translation.
OPTC's annual Travel Planner is at the press. Hoping for debut at the March
OPTC meeting.
FAM Tours on-going, including an in-house travel writer at Kalaloch. Third in a
series regarding the "1 SQ. Inch of Silence" story.
New Business: Steve briefed TCC on the Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary — Advisory Committee's (OCNMSAC) comment process regarding
response to BOEM National OSC Oil & Gas Leasing Program proposal.
TCC reviewed draft comment letter, adding cc: to our Congressional
representatives, and requested motion to approve Chair Roney to send
comments. Action moved by Joy Baisch. Motion to seconded by Bill Roney.
Approved.
Steve shared January marketing highlights and insights into promotional results
with TCC. Reviewed topics included:
• Review of successful 2018 Washington Tourism Rally.
• Current progress of E4 SSB 5251— 2017 -18
• TCC's joint strategy with Gateway Visitor Center to leverage each social
media platform to uniquely message visitor experience vs. advocacy calls -to -
action.
• Importance of collaboration and new opportunity presented due to City of
Port Townsend's transitions from traditional tourism marketing pros, to
working through Jefferson County Chamber's VIC.
• Steve's involvement with OCNMSAC has lead to his invitation to Wash. DC
Hill Climb in March and NOAA media advocacy event in April
• YTD Facebook 2017 — 2018 growth resulted in 35.17% increase for Enjoy
Olympic Peninsula.
• Current TCC marketing is up on NW Tennis Magazine, with campaigns getting
ready for Spring launch with Sinclair Media and Here&Now Media.
• With Super Bowl 52 last Sunday, Steve showed with 35 years of banked TCC
LTAC allocation could buy us in the form of 30 -second Super Bowl TV ad! (We
chuckled over viewing Visit Australia's ad, and agreed not to wait until 2053
to place our next media buy!)
Area Updates:
Gateway VIC — Bill shared that the Gateway Visitors Center was open and well
staffed by volunteers.
Visitor count down in January, largely due to weather.
Pleased that the VIC's LTAC agreement has been signed by BoCC.
Brinnon — Joy reported that Dosewallips State Park continues to remain busy,
despite the less than ideal weather and mudslides.
ShrimpFest is off — Quilcene Festival is back (in parts), based on new blood of
volunteers responses.
NEW BUSINESS
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
AREA UPDATES
Fort Flagler & Marrowstone Island – Aaron shared that the Fort is gearing up for
spring with seasonal position openings. Glad that the Friends group is back on AREA UPDATES
line. Working on a full concert series and docent lead museum and naturalist
tours of much of the park. (Continue)
Tri -Areas – Crystie shared the following: in case you know of anyone looking for
Chimacum office space— the Farmhouse at Finnriver has an office opening!
Port Townsend Marketing – Christina reported:
• Strong PT LTAC and Sales taxes for 2017
• Ongoing Mainstreet construction marketing being coordinated with
Mainstreet
• Jefferson County Chamber in transition with City of PT regarding future
marketing role.
• Jefferson Transit has announced planned launch of an "express / direct" bus
between Port Townsend and Kingston. Similar to Port Angeles's "Direct Shot"
between PA and the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal. The PT "express" will be
ideal, come this fall, with the Port of Kingston launches a fast foot ferry
between Kingston and Seattle.
Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned ADJORN
at 12:13 pm
Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for March13, 2018 10AM at the Inn at Port
Ludlow, NOTE: relocated meeting to the Heron Room.
Note also: April 10 meeting moved to April 12, 2018