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Home My WebLink AboutM091118 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council September 11, 2018 (DRAFT) The August 23, 2018 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:06 am by TCC Vice-chair Debbie Wardrop, noting a quorum was present. • Voting Members present were: Marsha Massey, Joy Baisch, Debbie Wardrop, and Cleone Telling • Partners Present: Commissioner Kathleen Kler, Christina Pivarnik • TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively CALL TO ORDER Minutes from previous meetings were reviewed, and a vote to approve TCC minutes from the meetings conducted on August 23, 2018 were moved by Joy Baisch and seconded by Cleone Telling. Approval for motion was unanimous. MINUTES REVIEWED Steve reviewed the TCC 2018 August financials with TCC. Noting that JeffCo. had yet to post updated Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax nor County sales tax reports as of the start of this meeting. The resulting financials were limited to roll-up County reports coming from OPTC (+4%) and review of TCC’s current allocated fund balance. TCC’s April supplemental budget allocation is finally on the BoCC agenda for approval. Hoping for acknowledge of funding authorization prior to years end. Approval of the August TCC Financial report was moved by moved by Debbie Wardrop and seconded by Joy Baisch. Approval for action was unanimous. Commissioner Kathleen Kler briefed TCC on a variety of issues and updates. Including: • Acknowledged that 2018’s unacceptably lengthy LTAC Supplemental process is part of rational for the 2019 funding request process having started early, with goal of a single cycle of funding allocations vs. the possibilities of another Supplemental process. • Good over all trends for sales and lodging taxes, yet BoCC and Budget Committee are watching forecasts of future potential downturns. • District 3 Planning Committee seat is open. Encouraging applicants, especially with aquaculture perspectives to consider serving. • Upcoming area call regarding Hood Canal Bridge traffic. OPTC Update: Marsha Massey updated TCC on OPTC activities, highlighted by: • Upcoming regional transportation meeting • The new OlympicPeninsula.org is live. (Steve took TCC on a quick visual tour of the site as part of his report). • Fall marketing campaign is underway. Print is in place. Working on coop bus ads in three I-5 corridor cities. Focus of digital marketing to TX, AZ and CA thanks to support from a Port of Seattle grant, focusing on shoulder-season fly-in markets • Save the Date (10/31 – 11/2) for the FULL Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit in Port Angeles. DesinationNEXT will summarize the results of over 200 destination analysis surveys sent out to TCC and other tourism stakeholders in advance of the Summit. Overall focus will be on Sustainable Tourism indicators and strategies. Destination Next will be joined by Jonathan Tourtellot, Founding Director National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations. Jonathan will keynote the Olympic Culinary Loop’s “Lunch & Learn” held on Halloween (10/31) in Port Angeles. Dress in costume for “Halloween Happy Hour” Wednesday night! TCC FINANCIALS REVIEWED COMMISSIONERS UPDATE OPTC UPDATE NEW BUSINESS • The first WA Tourism Marketing Authority meeting was held. Marsha holds a Governor’s appointed seat on that board. Awaiting the sole source declaration so that WTA can be the official state marketing origination. • GeoTour rev. 2 is coming along. Mary is working with GroundSpeak on an October 20 kick-off event for the additional ~ 30 2nd phase cache trail. Steve briefed TCC on various marketing highlights. Including: Reported that the 2019 TCC LTAC funding application has been submitted. • Fall TCC emphasis includes partnering with OPTC in joint marketing efforts. • TCC is currently running print ads in 1889 and OutdoorsNW. Plus continued print distribution care of WA State Visitor Guide and the Olympic Culinary Loop map. • Digital campaign on contains a SeattleRefined sponsored article targeting Fall and Winter active and relish & relax vertical markets. • Fall marketing focus will include videos by John Gussman and an accompanying itinerary on the TCC’s interactive UTrip feature, visit.EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com • Fall Bounty will be served up with a series of local Ag events, including: Farm Tour, CrabFest, Apple & Cider Fest and Harvest Wine & Cider tour. An industry focused Farms-to-Chefs Buyers Expo will be taking place Nov. 4 at the Port Townsend Community Center. Everyone is encouraged to consider attending the WA Hospitality Convention, Nov. 11-13. • Steve gave a quick introductory tour of the OPTC’s new website OlympicPeninsula.org all were pleased and impressed. Area Updates: Port Ludlow – Debbie shared news regarding the following items of interest: o Still regularly seeing walk-in guests hoping (assuming) there will be room for them at the Inn. Really an interesting trend amongst travelers. o Concluding season of Wed Farm Dinners at end of Sept., moving into Burger Wednesdays and comfort food features for the fall. This Thanksgiving will offer a – Community Table – reservations suggested, with first seating at 2PM. Starting a new package reservation package for the Value Season– Enjoy life in Port Ludlow, featuring 2-night stay and two breakfast/Brunch vouchers. Check out “ENJOY”. o Dungeness Crab and Seafood packages continue to be booked. Port Townsend & WTA– Christina reported plenty regarding her role with WTA communications. o Another successful and busy fall festival started with Wooden Boat Festival. Next up is Jefferson County Farm Tour, PT Film Festival and finally The Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race! o Holiday Come Back campaign, in coordination with Mainstreet is the focus of the Port Townsend winter marketing effort. o Port of Seattle – Ad at SeaTac in lieu transit program. Both campaigns will emphasis the “Escape to Port Townsend - Relax, Refresh, Renew” – tagline, rack cards on ferries, plus KUOW sponsored (ad) spots. Brinnon – Joy reported: o Still issues with forest fires. Lots of smoke. Keeps campers “hunkered” down in campground or on shorter hikes. o Lots of parking impacts at Rocky Brook Falls with 32-50 cars often in this undersized lot. NEW BUSINESS (Continued) TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT AREA UPDATES o Dosewallips State Park continues to remain busy as does trailhead access to Rocky Brook Falls. Quilcene – Cleone reported o Quilcene Oyster Races begin at 8:00 a.m. September 16 for details on the race, go to http://www.QuilRaces.com. Event will also include Day in the Park this weekend with good food and Worthington House open house tours. o Good news that Larry McKeehan is back in action after successful hip surgery. Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:12AM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday October 9, 2018 - 10AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow. AREA UPDATES (Cont.) ADJORN