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Home My WebLink AboutM031219 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council March 12, 2019 (DRAFT) The March 12, 2019 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:06 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting a quorum was present. • Voting TCC Members present were: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Aaron Terada, Larry McKeehan • Partners Present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Owen Rowe and Christina Pivarnik • TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively CALL TO ORDER Bill welcomed everyone who survived the snows of February to the ongoing efforts on behalf of Jefferson County / Olympic Peninsula tourism promotions. TCC members and partners provided intros, the TCC consent docket, including minutes from the meeting conducted on January 8, 2019 and available February 2019 TCC financials were moved by Aaron Terada and seconded by Marsha Massey. Approval for motion was unanimous. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Brotherton acknowledged that February snows had canceled the scheduled Westend Days, looking forward to a possible fall rescheduling. Dosewalips State Park is looking to share septic capacity with the neighboring community. Indian Island Naval Base is seeking to engage with the community beyond hosting the annual fun runs. Specific conditions of use would be involved. Their resources are potential are grand. Jefferson County’s move to biennial budgeting should have no impact on LTAC or TCC budgets. Greg asked for reporting topics of interest to TCC. Sharing included updates on shooting ranges, recreational road access into National Forest and Pleasant Harbor Resorts ongoing development. OPTC Update: Marsha Massey updated TCC on OPTC’s recent meeting held in Port Townsend, highlighting: • Deep into Spring campaign and related ongoing marketing efforts including annual Scenic WA, State Visitors Guide and MV Coho co-opt ads, • Upcoming FAM tours include Australian (April) and German (May) travel agencies. • Recently attended Visit Seattle annual meeting share emphasis on international travel marketing, especially thanks to new airlines, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Air. Norwegian Bliss of Norwegian cruise lines has added the sister ship, the Norwegian Joy, to the Seattle – Alaska run starting April 2019 • Upcoming Seattle Hotel Concierges industry event will have OPVB and TCC sharing Olympic Peninsula resources. New Business Activity Map and Getaway Guide - Bill updated TCC on the process of reprinting the Activity Map and PT Leader’s Getaway Guide. Both products are similar to last year in design. Both have estimates that – while an increase over last year – are within the acceptable range. Activity Map will be printed locally at the Printery. TCC agreed with plan and affirmed Bill’s recommendations for production. WSDOT SR-104 Roundabout – Bill, Steve and Greg briefed TCC on the formal Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) underway by WSDOT regarding proposed State Route 104 and Shine Road/Paradise Bay intersection just west of the Hood Canal Bridge. COMISSIONER’S UPDATE OPTC UPDATE NEW BUSINESS TCC reviewed scope of project and formulated comments for consideration in a draft TCC letter to WSDOT. Areas of comment included: • Extension of the current westbound passing lane, possible to Garten Road • Improvements to eastbound posted speed signage – including considerations for night illumination and activated speed feedback signs • Addition of a second roundabout at the SR 104 and Hwy 19 / Beaver Valley Road • Reduction of SR 104 speed limit from 60 mph to 55 mph • Plea for coordination construction communications See attached DRAFT comment letter, for TCC action in April. It is hoped that OPTC will echo TCC’s comments regarding this project. Marketing Report Steve provided a TCC briefing of current marketing activities, including: • January’s JeffCo. LTAC was 44% ahead of budget for the same period • February’s snow storms, and the 32 day Federal Government shutdown have cost our accommodations greatly. Some reporting $100K in lost bookings. • Review of recent digital promotions include an engagement campaign to have visitors enter to win gifts by simply completing their own visit.enjoyolympicpeninsula.com personalized travel planner. • Both the entry campaign and “National Parks worthy of winter visits” article appealed to more men than women, as well as a to a younger than typical demographic. • Travel Planner and OPTC website have lodging listings that place Discovery Bay and Chimacum properties under the listing of “Port Townsend”. This is not unique to TCC as Clallam has west of Joyce accommodations listed under “Port Angeles”. TCC discussed the dilemma and short of changing US Postal rules, we’ll encourage travelers to wisely use their smartphone when planning and navigating. • Timeshares such as Wyndham’s WorldMark on Discovery Bay are a Lodging Tax gray area that has been around for much longer than Airbnb or VRBO. • Updating the TCC print and digital ad sets with a new “hero” image resulted in a “dreamy” Finnriver image and a pair of coastal hikers image. Both ads are now being utilized. Area Updates: Port Ludlow - Debbie • Debbie Wardrop has accepted the GM position at the, to be developed, 7 Cedars hotel complex. Bill and Steve met with Debbie February 14, expressing TCC appreciation and thanks for her good work with us. Dan Ratigan has been promoted to the role of GM at Port Ludlow. We look forward to working with Dan in this new tourism marketing role. Chimacum – Tri-Area – Crystie • Crystie sent the following report – Have submitted a proposal to the Arts Commission for a partnership with the Jeff Co. Farmers Market for an event called “Wording the Land” that would have a July/November component to celebrate the intersection of poetry and farms. • Also meeting today with the PTC folks to further discuss their September Freddy Pink concert and trails fundraiser at Finnriver this year • Would love to host a TCC meeting sometime on Finnriver’s new Tasting Porch Gateway VIC – Bill • Shared that February’s numbers were down 17% due to snow, which required adjustments in operating hours and a Sunday closure. • Bill requests that the VIC parking lot be plowed during next snow event. NEW BUSINESS (cont.) TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT AREA UPDATES Quilcene – Larry reported power lines have been installed thanks to Mason Co. PUD. • ShrimpFest is back! Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to the Brinnon Parks & Rec community • Timberhouse Restaurant is closed. • Worthing House marketing for museum and event space are underway. Hoping for a late summer 2019 “grand” opening. • Quilcene festival weekend September 14-15 will host Half Marathon race on Sunday. Marrowstone – Aaron reported on numerous Island and Fort Flagler events, including: • Overnight accommodation remodeling is still delayed – Fort Flagler will be without Vacation Housing rentals through summer 2019. • New WA State Parks system-wide reservation system has launched. Retreat center and campgrounds are all full. • Friends of Fort Flagler Cajun and Celtic concert this St. Patty’s Day, 4-7, with a $10 donation. West end – Marsha reported about a recent visit to Kalaloch Lodge, and she shared the rumored openings of an exclusive new lodging/dining project on the Bogachiel River. More details as they come available. Owen shared about an ArtsWA State “Certified Creative Districts” project. Possibilities for Chimacum Cross-Roads and possibliy lower Hadlock / CedarRoot. More info at www.arts.wa.gov/arts-in-communities/certified-creative-districts Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:58 AM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday April 9, 2019 – 10:00 AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow. AREA UPDATES (Cont.) ADJORN