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Home My WebLink AboutM121118 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council December 11, 2018 (DRAFT) The December 11, 2018 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:05 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting a quorum was present. Despite power outages and various work-around plans put into place thanks to the creative and dedicated Resort at Port Ludlow hospitality team, the meeting was held under full power with delicious cookies! • Voting Members present were: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Aaron Terada, Joy Baisch, Crystie Kisler, Debbie Wardrop, and Cleone Telling • Partners Present: Commissioner Kathleen Kler, Christina Pivarnik, Shelly Leavens • TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively CALL TO ORDER Bill thanked everyone for their attendance and for a full year of productive Jefferson County / Olympic Peninsula tourism promotions. After long intros and shared observations, the Minutes from previous meetings were reviewed, and a vote to approve TCC minutes from the meetings conducted on October 8, 2018 were moved by Debbie Wardrop and seconded by Joy Baisch. Approval for motion was unanimous. MINUTES REVIEWED Steve reviewed the TCC 2018 November financials with TCC. Noting that monthly Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax results exceeded budgeted YTD for 2018 6.8% ahead of targeted YTD budget projections. The Jefferson County Lodging sector is currently preforming stronger than other County sales tax generating sectors which are tracking 3.97% above YTD expectations. Approval of the November TCC Financial report was moved by moved by Debbie Wardrop and seconded by Joy Baisch. Approval for action was unanimous. Debbie encouraged future past minutes and financial review be consolidated under consent agenda approval. Commissioner Kler thanked TCC for being one of the “delight committees” she has had the privilege to staff. She announced that Greg Brotherton is the commissioner elect who will be considered by BoCC for work assignment with LTAC and TCC in 2019. Recent highlights include revised Growth Management Act Comprehensive Plan has just passed, and that staffing at key positions throughout the County is in place with ‘really good people’. Challenges continue related to ongoing meetings and hearings regarding shooting ranges. OPTC Update: Marsha Massey updated TCC on OPTC’s recent meeting held in Port Ludlow, highlighted by: • Large post Summit OPTC meeting. Overall Summit evaluations were good, with thanks for the focused work on destination assessment and strategy. • These will provide the beginnings of conversations regarding communications, transportation and sustainability, with goal of providing framework for eventual destination management plan. • The 3-month campaign funded through a Port of Seattle digital marketing grant resulted in over 2,500 sweepstakes entries for a grand-prize 4-night Peninsula stay. The 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. • The 2nd phase of GeoTour enjoyed a good launch with many visitors from out of town attending. TCC FINANCIALS REVIEWED COMISSIONER’S UPDATE OPTC UPDATE New Business: Bill lead TCC through a special proclamation of appreciation for Commissioner Kler, presenting her with a framed TCC declaration, a potted plant and our deep thanks. Other news business included acceptance of 2019 meeting dates: Jan 08, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 09, May 14, Jun 11, No July, Aug 13, Sep 10, Oct 08, Nov 12, Dec 10 Steve briefed TCC on various fall 2018 marketing highlights. Including: TCC reviewed the digital and print TCC ads purchased in support of Apple & Cider Fest (10/12- 14) and Fall Winery and Cider Tour (11/10-11 • Successful bus packer collaboration with OPVB, Sequim and the Resort at Port Ludow on Seattle, Tacoma and Portland transits routes • Results of our 84,000 OTT (Over the Top) streaming media 30-second ad buys supporting our Fall (and winter) Fun trip planning invitation • Noting increased average trip lengths (5.2 day), with visitors seeking increases in: Adventure, Culinary, Culture, Nature and Spontaneity • Our December Santa FM radio ad buy (82 30-second commercial radio plays between 12/10-23/2018 • TCC reviewed the – very full – introduction and familiarization itinerary Jonathan Tourtellot traveled as he – quickly – took in most of Jefferson Co. enroute to keynoting at the Tourism Summit. Jonathan offered great appreciation and praise for the Worthington House team of dedicated volunteers. Jonathan also encouraged exploration into possible applicability of a Tourism Improvement District for the various cultural heritage artisans and crafts located in the lower Hadlock, Marrowstone area. • Steve has shared these and other tourism progress with National Marine Sanctuaries as well as the Coastal Marine Resource Summit. Area Updates: Port Townsend & WTA– Christina Port Townsend’s Holiday Marketing is underway. WTA has two major committees in motion as we wait to get the contract signed with the state. One is a Marketing Committee which is developing a working plan to put in place as soon as the contract is signed. The second is an Outreach/Partnerships Committee which is tasked with getting funding the for the 2:1 match. Key will be meeting the 2:1 funding match requirements set in legislation. One data point for earned media tie-in is Barberstock– photo being set-up by region. With catalogue linking to global access. With good earned media tie-in. Hot button issues for WTA communications include Governor’s recommendations related to Whale Watching industry. Working hard to get plans in place to fulfill state-wide marketing plan Gateway VIC – Bill shared some initial findings from early analysis of their visitor survey • Finishing Gateway’s 2019 budget, and always working on volunteers in order to maintain 362 days of planned 2019 VIC operations. • Upcoming projects at VIC include improvements to: signage, renewal of railings and carpeting inside VIC • 40 wintering Swans have been spotted in Chimacum farm lands. • Jefferson Historical Society will be hosting First Night festivities for the 12th year, with Bill again raising the new years anchor at 9PM, Memorial Stadium. Brinnon – Joy reported power lines have been installed thanks to Mason Co. PUD. • Lots of parking impacts at Rocky Brook Falls with 32-50 cars often in this undersized lot. NEW BUSINESS TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT AREA UPDATES • Dosewallips State Park continues to remain busy as does trailhead access to Rocky Brook Falls. • ShrimpFest 2019 will return thanks to the Brinnon Parks & Rec community. Quilcene – Cleone reported the Worthington Houses’ Holiday party – exceeded last years record attendance. Community excitement for growing opening of the event center in 2019. Great thanks to Ann Marie Gibson – for help with their new website. Marrowstone – Aaron reported that Fort Flagler has enjoyed another busy year with lots of returning visitors. Experiencing a delay in capital renovations of retreat center will move finish date into May. Looking into packaging meeting spaces and accommodations for groups. Also looking forward to 4th year of year-round advance reservations, with off-season RV’ers passes. Anderson Lake State Park is again reopened. Tri-Areas – Crystie reports that the Chimacum Ridge trails collaboration and the Chimacum Grange continue with new energy, bringing lots of joint marketing and added potential. Finnriver is open daily until 9PM, featuring daily soup, 3-7PM This new years eve they will host their 3rd year of “Fishes and Wishes”, 9PM Fin the Salmon lighting at 9PM Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:15PM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday January 8, 2019 - 10AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow. AREA UPDATES (Cont.) ADJORN