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Home My WebLink AboutM121217Tourism Coordinating Council —Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council December 12, 2017 (DRAFT) The December 12, 2017 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:09am by Chair Bill Roney, noting a CALL TO ORDER festive holiday quorum present. Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Cleone Telling, Debbie Wardrop, Crystie Kisler, Aaron Terada, Joy Baisch, Marsha Massey TCC friends present: Tim Rensema (JeffCo. Historic Society Board member and Gateway VIC volunteer extraordinaire) TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed. A move to approve TCC minutes from the meeting conducted on November 14, 2017, was made by Joy Baisch. Motion to second by Marsha Massey. Unanimously approved. Steve reviewed the TCC YTD November 2017 financials. Noting that Jefferson County Treasurer reports General Sales Tax remain essentially on target with YTD under budget, while Lodging Tax again is at record highs for the period. With current actual over 2017 budget by nearly 20% (19.9% actual). Expectations remain that JeffCo. Lodging Tax revenues should top $500,000 for 2017. TCC's allocated spending for 2017 continues to be expended as anticipated against budgeted year-round campaigns. Motion to approve current TCC Financials by Joy Baisch. Motion to seconded by Aaron Terada. November TCC Financial report unanimously approved. New Business: TCC received nominations from the floor for officer positions. President — Bill Roney stood and expressed his interest and enthusiasm in remaining TCC's Chair. Bill was ready to read his reams of pages of prepared statement should an opponent rise against him. (Wisely, no challenge was offered!) Cleone agreed to serve as Vice -Chair, and Steve agreed to renew as TCC Recording Secretary. Slate of 2018 TCC officers moved for acceptance by Debbie Wardrop, Dual Second offered by Joy Baisch and Aaron Terada. Slate approved. Bill thanked all of TCC for their collaborative support and service to JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Tourism throughout 2017. Appreciation for "engagement, time, energy and nurturing of the whole Olympic Peninsula on behalf of our highly valued tourism offerings." Proposed 2018 TCC meetings (2nd Tuesday of month, skipping —July), meeting at Port Ludlow were discussed and approved by common consent. 2018 TCC dates: Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8, June 12, July — no meeting, Aug 14, Sep. 11, Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 18 Marsha briefed TCC on the following OPTC highlights: Forest Service news included: Sandra Garner replacing Paula Jablonski as public affairs representative. Paula Highlighted their comprehensive and beautiful new interpretative Map piece. Forest Service is also evaluating APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF TCC FINANCIALS NEW BUSINESS ELECTION OF TCC OFFICERS 2018 APPROVED TCC MEETING DATES OPTC UPDATE potential fee increases. Numerous weather-related road closures from the west -end Hoh to east -end Lake Cushman area. OPTC UPDATE • National Park Service reports seasonal Hwy 101 construction hiatus around Lake Crescent wrapping up until resuming next March. (Continued) • The GreenRubino marketing agency has been selected by WA Tourism Alliance (WTA) to prepare the statewide marketing plan in conjunction with revised tourism legislation to be introduced in Olympia January 2018. • Marsha encouraged TCC to "save the date" of January 30 as WTA's tourism rally day in Olympia. WA Hospitality Assoc. will host a legislative session and reception on the 291H • Mason Co. has confirmed that under leadership of new tourism marketing team, they will return to OPTC and the Olympic Culinary Loop in 2018. • Adding Mason Co. back into Olympic Peninsula Travel planner has been one of the design challenges. Second round edits continue, with projected print run of 110K units to be produced in 2018. • Web designer finalist will be interviewed Friday December 16. Steve and Bill will join Marsha and the rest of OPTC's Web committee for a full day of interviews. • Seattle Viaduct and seawall renovations will result in Coleman Ferry terminal moves and plenty of additional transportation challenges for all visitors to navigate in the new year. Steve shared 2017 marketing highlights and insights into promotional results with TCC. Reviewed topics included: TCC MARKETING • Numerous display and digital ad placements throughout the year, inclusive of COORDINATORS Portland and Seattle bus campaigns, all supporting TCC's Spring and Fall into REPORT winter marketing efforts. • TCC providing support for OPTC FAM tours as well as running one of our own in support of TCC leveraged Spring Instagram, radio and Geo -fencing promotional campaign. • Success in offering Jefferson County lodging as markets for both traditional festivals such as CrabFest and Farm Tour, and partnering for the success of 1St annual —Apple and Cider Festival. • TCC's involvement with state -level tourism leadership related WTA Tourism funding, communicated opposition with National Park fee proposal, and global futuring with a local look at the Community Marketplace influence of AirBnB, VRBO as potential vertical marketing channels and the growing body of research related to the topic of "Overtourism" • All-in-all the record returns within Jefferson Hotel / Motel lodging tax revenues - especially in the spring and fall Value Season - are good indicators that our message is getting heard, as we help encourage and welcome more visitors to "Enjoy Olympic Peninsula"! • 2018 looks bright thanks to JeffCo. LTAC full funding of TCC's budget request Port Ludlow— Debbie shared information that the Inn's Fireside restaurant has AREA UPDATES almost sold out for Christmas eve dinner, and they are well ahead of pace for New Years eve. New staff additions with Lisa Bainter joining as a new sales manager, Tyler Sweet as Golf Pro, and Chef Noah adding to their kitchen talent. Continuing traditions with 3 -course dinners every Wednesday ("Pork & Knife" continues through December, $29/person + tax & gratuity), and lobby decorated AREA UPDATES with Wishing Tree for needy youth and employee's stockings getting stuffed with notes of well earned praise. (Continue) Taste WA will fly — via Kenmore Air — into Port March 23 d from Seattle for Finnriver Farm Dinner prepared by Chef Dan. Worthington House — Cleone shared news of a profitable holiday party for members with successful dessert sale. Proceeds will help Larry with Victorian era furnishings and paint enhancements. Still waiting on County for septic variance converting historic home from residential occupancy load to public space. Quilcene happenings include Pat and Dana as new owners to Loggers Landing restaurant and Sarah Munn -Mahan of Smiling Rain Photography have both added new creative energy to Quilcene. Gateway VIC — Bill shared the good news that, thanks to exceptional volunteers such as Tim, Gateway VIC is wrapping up on one of its best October years yet. Time has facilitated the statistical survey of parking traffic and purpose. He is one of 10 volunteers who help Bill keep the VIC open 362 day each year. THANK YOU! Brinnon — Joy reported concern that the Quilcene Forest Service information center is no longer carrying OPTC related materials for visitors. Steve and Marsha will investigate. Dosewallips State Park continues to remain busy, thanks especially to the recent additions of vacation cabins and yurts. Joy and Cleone both recommended a TCC briefing from Forest Service and Jefferson Co. in early 2018 regarding impacts of forest access roads from Dose to the Hoh Fort Flagler & Marrowstone Island — Aaron shared that the Fort noticed a downturn in attendance this Fall. Not quite sure the cause. However, the opportunity for deep cleaning and guest accommodation maintenance is welcome. Increased RV and campground attendance continues. Recent Fun Run, relocated from Oak Harbor, welcomed 100+ participants. Ongoing volunteer recruitment campaign with lots of fall sightings reported of their resident Cougar. Project scoping for Kilisut Harbor re -opening slated for June 2018. ADJORN Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:20 pm Next meeting of TCC is scheduled for January 9, 2018 10AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow.