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Home My WebLink AboutM010819 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council January 8, 2019 (DRAFT) The January 8, 2019 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:04 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting a quorum was present. • Voting TCC Members present were: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Aaron Terada, Joy Baisch, Crystie Kisler, Debbie Wardrop • Partners Present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, County Administrator Philip Morley, and representing Port Townsend marketing Christina Pivarnik, • TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively CALL TO ORDER Bill welcomed everyone to a new year of efforts in Jefferson County / Olympic Peninsula tourism promotions. TCC members and partners provided intros and orientation for Commissioner Brotherton and Mr. Morley, the TCC consent docket, including minutes from the meeting conducted on December 11, 2018 and available year-end 2018 TCC financials were moved by Debbie Wardrop and seconded by Aaron Terada. Approval for motion was unanimous. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Brotherton acknowledged that he is new to the the LTAC and TCC seats, bringing a strong appreciation to the value of tourism. He expressed interests in transformative technologies and ecological tourism initiatives. He is eager to ask questions. Philip reviewed the county wide LTAC funding process for 2019. He reported that he came bearing TCC agreements and related professional services contracts to be reviewed for signature by Bill and Steve. He supported the exploration into expanded GSI mapping with County staff as an example of enhanced technology offerings for our visitors. OPTC Update: Marsha Massey updated TCC on OPTC’s recent meeting held in Port Ludlow, highlighted by: • The 2nd phase of GeoTour enjoyed a good launch with 200+ visitors participating since the November relaunch. • Blog posts featuring non-National Park focused winter activities have been launched in response to the Government shutdown. • Ongoing marketing efforts, with Spring campaign approval next week from OPTC partners. Marketing Report Steve provided a TCC briefing for Commissioner Brotherton in the form of a 2018 year-in- review. Noting various TCC activities including: • Anticipated travel trends and regional collaborations vs. reality • Efforts and outcomes of the DMO OlympicPeninsula.org website redux • Performance of TCC’s Utrip personalized itinerary generator and our traditional mix of 4 traveler personas against the spring and fall/winter campaign seasons. • The continued rise of mobile devices over desktop computers for reaching travelers. • Increases in both social media and regional cruise industry. • Successes in state-level tourism authority, NOAA’s Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary appropriations, communicating Lake Crescent Hwy 101 construction, combatting off-shore oil & gas exploration and stopping proposed 180$ increase in National Park admission fees • Military, International Food Wine & Travel Writers, and various FAM tour fulfillment • Lots of media buys. Some TCC independent. Most in collaboration with OPTC or partners COMISSIONER’S UPDATE OPTC UPDATE TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT • Successful addition of video for both increased social engagement and OTT video commercials • Growth in most fall seasonal festival marketing, including overflow accommodation package sales for legacy events such as Lavender weekend and Crab Fest. • Sustainable Tourism Study with Olympic Tourism Summit kick-off. • Finished 2018 with call for transformational opportunities, including call for great consumer engagement vs. simply message broadcasting. Destination brand building and growth in collaboration and partnerships. • Successful bus packer collaboration with OPVB, Sequim and the Resort at Port Ludlow 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 Ludlow - Debbie • Boating rendezvous are nearly booked for all sailing season weekends. • Lots of buzz for golf tour packages • Welcoming once again destination (“Right Sized”) weddings to the property • Upcoming wine makers dinner with Guardian Cellars • January 22 big employee party at Finnriver Chimacum – Tri-Area – Crystie • Grange gearing up for a home-grown playwrights production of historical life on the Chimacum farm • WA Liquor Control Board has reinterpreted the 20+ year process used by Olympic Peninsula Wine (and Cider) Association. Possible impacts for upcoming Red Wine and Chocolate Trail • Local gathering of organizations under the moniker F.E.E.D. (Food, Education, Enterprise, Development program), taking on topics such as: sustainable tourism, bio-energy, bio- digester Port Townsend & WTA– Christina • Plenty of changes with the new year. • A New Year’s gifts, MSN named Port Townsend one of the Best Small Town in WA. • Looking forward to annual Strange Brewfest, • Port Townsend’s Lodging Tax #’s in for 2018, up about 8%, $535K • Lots of credit to Fort Worden for lots of the recent growth in group business being credited with PT’s strong 2018 lodging numbers. TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT (Cont.) AREA UPDATES Gateway VIC – Bill shared some initial findings from early analysis of their visitor survey • Through the door visitation dropped 7% 2018 YTD over 2017. Staring 2019 up 4% MTD over average. Possibly contributed to the travelers need to pivot due to Government shutdown and Olympic National Park access restrictions. • Value of having always working volunteers, giving insightful and real-time tips. Thanks to volunteers who help to maintain 362 days of planned 2019 VIC operations. • First Night festivities were biggest ever with over 600 people watching the anchor successfully rise in front of fantastic fireworks display in front of Memorial Field at 9:00 PM, New Year’s Eve. • West End Weekend looks like it’ll be moved from traditional fall to winter 2019. Stay tuned! Brinnon – Joy reported power lines have been installed thanks to Mason Co. PUD. • ShrimpFest is back! Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to the Brinnon Parks & Rec community • Dosewallips road washout (at 10-mile bridge) over to Elkhorn campground shows that its getting good usage, and being relatively well cared for by hikers. Philip recommends local advocacy to the Forest service seeking to get that section of road restored. • Dosewallips State Park continues to remain busy as does trailhead access to Rocky Brook Falls. Marrowstone – Aaron reported on numerous Island and Fort Flagler events, including: • Popular 1st day hikes welcomed a turnout of about 50 with a historical theme talk/walk. • Many other WA State Parks also had successful 1st Day Hike programs. • Nordland hosted the annual New Year’s Polar Bear Dip. • MLK Day is the next free access day for WA State Parks. • Lots of storm clean-up. Had to close park on 12/20/18 due to high winds and falling trees throughout trails. • Overnight accommodation remodeling is still delayed – Fort Flagler will be without Vacation Housing rentals through Spring. • New WA State Parks system-wide reservation system pending. West end – Marsha reported that Maple Creek Outfitters are working on opening new lodging accommodations on the Hoh. More details as they come available. Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:48 AM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday February 12, 2019 – 10:00 AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow. AREA UPDATES (Cont.) ADJORN