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Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
August 13, 2019 (DRAFT)
The August, 2019 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was
called to order at 10:08 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting membership to reach a quorum was not
present with Council members Cleone Telling, Diana Smeland, and Bill Roney, four members are
required to reach a TCC quorum.
Partners Present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, and Christina Pivarnik
• TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Brotherton shared information on the following topics of tourism related
interest and insight:
• Ariel spraying update on Pope timber lands, impacting neighboring Tarbo Lake, Lake
Leland, City Lake, and even the Gateway VIC. Not equal with spraying activity in Kitsap
Co.
• Greg spoke of the traditional Jefferson Co. Community Forestry Timber program, and the
extensive relationships with Pope on many historic and ongoing development issues,
e.g. right-of-way segments for remaining Olympic Discovery Trail access.
• The use of glyphosate (RoundUp), is controversial. To date, only 8 oz has been used, (at
a 99% dilution ratio), within Jefferson Co.
• Important to TCC is the discussion on allowing a proper balance of economic growth and
its implications related to our ongoing sustainable tourism efforts.
• Greg also spoke of the Recreational Immunity’s Act and the updated agreement with the
operators of Rocky Brook Power, LLC.
• Update on WSDOT’s proposal to install roundabouts at SR104 and Shine/W. Hood
Canal Bridge, and Beaver Valley (SR19) and SR104. An additional public meeting will be
held Aug. 29 –time and location TBD.
Marketing Report
Steve provided a TCC briefing of current marketing activities, including:
• Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax revenues reported 14.6% and 16.8% YTD ahead of budget for both
June and July respectively. Marking two months of all-time record returns for Jeff. Co.
• TCC is still awaiting word from LTAC regarding process for 2020 funding requests. Bill and
Steve will recommend to TCC that funding at the originally requested 2019 levels will be the
proposition submitted to LTAC. “If only…” will be easy to wonder in light of impressive
current returns from TCC tourism marketing investments.
• TCC encourage Greg and the rest of LTAC to maintain a fall 2019 applications and award
cycle in order to avoid entering into 2020 without funding allocations already approved and
in place.
• Steve previewed new TCC ad buys for this Fall including: National Parks – Olympic – Trip
planner, NFL Seahawks, season-long commemorative “yearbook”, play bill advertorial in the
Sept. Sept. 19 – Oct. 6 Flying Karamov Brothers production at the Seattle Broadway
Performance Hall, sponsorship of the 2nd Farm-to-Table Trade Meeting to be held this fall at
Fort Worden.
• Ongoing or renewing Fall ad buys include the opportunity of October 11-13 hosting both
Apple & Cider Fest and the Dungeness Seafood and Crab Festivals. TCC’s position statement
will be:
o One October weekend.
o Two great North Olympic Peninsula Festivals!
o Plan on enjoying BOTH celebrations of LOOP Bounty!
COMISSIONER’S
UPDATE
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
In preparation Steve has issued a call to East Jefferson Co. lodging to build
“basecamp” accommodation packages as all of Port Angeles is already sold out for
the weekend.
• Other ongoing fall / winter campaigns will again involve TCC with transit advertising in
Seattle/Bellevue, Pierce County and Portland.
• Ongoing Overtourism watch included the newly coined term of “Beehiving” as it relates to
Airbnb and VRBO listings, and a tipping point this summer in Venice regarding “disrespectful
and rude visitors”
• Greg and Steve are part of an Ad-Hoc work group formed by Clallam County Commissioner
Randy Johnson, towards the goal of developing an RFP for a regional Destination
Management Plan. More still to come.
• An OPTC lead revision to our multi-year collaboration of Spring and Fall joint marketing
campaigns under the season themes of Play and Relax, has called to replace Relax with
Recharge. This action packed phrase offers plenty of possibilities, from:
o Olympic Peninsula – your Recharge awaits,
o Make Time to Recharge – Olympic Peninsula
o Olympic Peninsula – Recharge at Your Own Pace.
• Steve reviewed current digital media results with TCC
Area Updates:
Port Ludlow – Diana shared a number of Port Ludlow initiatives, including:
• Working with Gibson Media on a series of three 30 sec. story telling videos, to be
distributed through programmatic OTT and on their website.
• Ongoing hosting of a regional boys and girls golf champions
• August’s Berry Specials at the Fireside will feature bountiful Blueberries at Finnriver
• Music on the Green – So. Bay Music
• Jefferson County Health Care has opened a retail pharmacy in the Village.
• Chef Arron 8/15. Food Truck, Carabine Cuisine offerings for their Wednesday Cruz-Ins.
• Outdoor Movie Night will screen “Free Willy” Aug. 24 on a single screen.
Gateway VIC – Bill
• Plenty of visitors continue stopping by. Bringing plenty of good complements for the
OPGVC’s great customer service.
• About 40% of visitors from out of state. They seek a deeper dive into area info. And lore.
With Olympic National Park tips and recommendations being on the top of many interest
lists. Visitors to the VIC seem to be averaging longer length of stay than total visitor census.
• Chief Chetzemoka (čičməhán) Trail’s interpretative display is doing well
• Noticing Ferry back-up starting Friday
• Greg commented that our VIC Volunteers are a valuable resource regarding their personal
profiles and the local authentic insights they can impart to our visitors. A branding platform
can be our authentic heritage and people.
• Discussion of a possible VIC Passport, akin to Geocaching and National Parks Passports.
Hoteliers expressed willingness to offer a prize inclusive of a return stay to entries into
completed VIC passports.
• Good TCC discussion regarding observed VIC trends and shifting visitors needs for in-person
VIC’s along with experiential offerings. Added value provided through personalizing and
interpreting the mass volumes of internet information (and misinformation) to visitors.
Quilcene – Cleone Quilcene headlines are “Great Gas Prices at Village Store!” Other insights
included:
AREA UPDATES
• Wonderful attendance at Worthington House Craft Beverage Gala – again held outside.
Looking forward to future operational offerings of utilizing inside space.
• Approved conditional use permit has been received!
• Fundraising event Aug. 30 – 8-10PM – the film “The Secret Life of Pets 2” movie night
• Plans underway for the Quilcene Fair – 8/14-15 - with Oyster Races held at the same time..
• Cleone sang her praises for the work of Brian Kullen (Marketing Coord) Ann Maarie Gibson
(website), and Tallia Mund – (Worthington House Events Coord.)
Port Townsend Marketing – Christina shared news including:
• Changes to the revised-EnjoyPT website include emphasis of eight itineraries, featuring One
Day, Multi Day and Core ‘Best of PT” Basics
• Their partnered Port of Seattle enhancement grant offers an upcoming sweepstakes
targeted to travelers from the states of AZ, CO, TX, FL, and NY. Oct. – April. Digi and Social
analytics.
WTA/WTMA – Christina share details of:
• WTA retreat held in July in Wenatchee. Plans underway for Summit next spring in
Wenatchee focusing on Economic Development. Plus a Fall 2020 state-wide conference.
• Plenty of committee work on State-wide rebranding, State level destination development
plan, and Crisis Communication plan.
• The best news is that WA State Tourism once again has more money in the bank than
they’ve had in 8 years. More funds still needed to keep up with our neighbors, but great
progress is being made.
Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:19 AM
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday September 10, 2019 – 10:00 AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow.
AREA UPDATES
(cont.)
ADJORN