HomeMy WebLinkAboutM100819 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
October 8, 2019 (DRAFT)
The October 2019 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was
called to order at 10:03 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting membership to reach a quorum was
present with Council members Cleone Telling, Diana Smeland, Crystie Kisler, Joy Baisch, Aaron
Terada, Marsha Massey and Bill Roney in attendance.
Partners Present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Brian Cullin, Bethany Smith and Christina
Pivarnik
TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
Consent Agenda Approval of September 10 TCC minutes and current TCC Financials was
approved by consent
CALL TO ORDER
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Greg Brotherton shared information on the following topics of tourism related
interest and insight:
• Notice that JeffCo. Transit has come out against I-976 due to analysis of impacts such a
measure would have on public transit
• WA Fisheries study of Kalaloch Creek Razor Clams.
• County has launched a Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/jeffcowagov/
• New rumor of Pier to Pit Project. Impacts with Navy EIS study
• Critical Areas Ordinance efforts. Working towards creating more Ag and more farm
related jobs.
• BoCC/LTAC requests that TCC modify their 2020 LTAC requested allocation by adding
$10,000 to serve as the fiscal pass-through for the JeffCo. contribution towards the
developing of the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Development Strategic Plan, being lead by
Clallam County. This would increase TCC’s 2020 LTAC request from the TCC approved
$195,000 to a new level of $205,000. ACTION moved by Joy Baisch, seconded by Diane
Smeland. Unanimously approved by TCC.
OPTC - Marsha Massey provided the following OPTC (Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission)
highlights:
• Spoke to Greg’s discussion related to Clallam County taking lead on RFP collaboration for
Olympic Peninsula Tourism Development Strategic Plan.
• Covered recent OPTC meeting, including:
o NPS noting final phase of Lake Crescent Hwy 101 road work
o Fall Ads are up including bus ads in Seattle/Bellevue, Pierce Co. and Portland with
Port Ludlow, TCC, OPVB and Sequim collaboration
o Port of Seattle Spotlight grant resulted in successful “The Roadtrip is Back”
campaign and display ad up in SeaTac airport
o Plenty of FAM tours coming through
o Good YTD website analytics due to site upgrades
o 2020 Travel Planner design work has begun.
Marketing Report
Steve provided a TCC briefing of current marketing activities, including:
• Steve reviewed existing TCC ad buys for this Fall including: Hosting FAM’s at Kalaloch, the
great success of collaborative marketing for both October 11-13 Apple & Cider Fest and the
Dungeness Seafood and Crab Festivals.
• Sponsorship of the 2nd Farm-to-Table Trade Meeting to be held Nov 18 at Fort Worden.
COMISSIONER’S
UPDATE
ACTION – Increase
TCC 2020 LTAC
funding request.
OPTC REPORT
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
• Continued record JeffCo. Lodging Tax returns, including surpassing city of PT in YTD
revenues.
• Sighting Dean Runyan Assoc. in noting that value of culinary tourism is indicated by JeffCo’s
0.47 cents of every visitor dollar spent on local Food stores and/or services.
• Unpacking Community Marketplace, (AirBnB and VRBO markets), analyzing average rental
size, % of year-round or seasonal availability, ADR (Ave. Daily Rate) and Occupancy for TCC
communities as compared to Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Seattle markets.
• Steve and Bill invited everyone out to Kalaloch Lodge, Nov. 15-17 for West End Weekend,
sponsored by Jefferson County Historical Society.
Area Updates:
Port Ludlow – Diana shared a number of Port Ludlow initiatives, including:
• Octoberfest – events and special culinary offerings.
• BrewFest by Bay – last Sat. in Oct. Funds supporting Backpack for Kids program
• Fireside – winter Sunday 2-for-1 specials, plus Wed night Pasta in Oct., Nov. Burgers
• Plenty of Winter Golf tourneys happening
• Thanksgiving and Christmas specials. Thanksgiving will again feature – Leftovers for all!
• Continues to be busy!
Gateway VIC – Bill noted:
• All encouraged to attend Westend weekend – Nov. 15-16-17 see
http://jchsmuseum.org/NewsAndEvents/WestEndWeekend.html for details.
• VIC experiencing seasonal drop of numbers. Noting that upwards of 40% of visitors from out
of state
Quilcene – Cleone introduced Brian Cullin and shared highlights including:
• OysterRun – 2nd highest runners, over 200 participants with Dollars for Scholars –
proceeds.
• Furnished rooms in the Worthington House hosted over 300 visitors of for OysterRun
weekend
• Second Harvest Festival upcoming Oct. 23, 3:30 – 7:30PM. Event supports Quilcene school
and drama department
• Slow but steady growth at event center with 3 new events added.
o Worthington House has approved septic permit.
o Moving into Kitchen and bath remodel.
o Grants and fund development underway.
o $3M in-kind, 40K hours of Volunteers service
• Shared the Chamber Biz hosting – with kudos to Christina.
• Good visits and lessons learned shared with Swansonville, Friends of Ft. Flagler, and others.
Brinnon – Joy shared that Dosewallips State Park remains packed; their cabins are prime
attractions.
• Road to Elk Horn parking lot refurbished. Continued recommending mile-5 access back
country 12-mile bridge.
• Pleasant Harbor is busy.
• Lots of bear activity.
Tri-Area – Chimacum Valley & Marrowstone Island– Aaron shared that Fort Flagler had a
successful summer. Weekends are still full, even after seasonal closure of upper campground.
• The alternative traffic via pass over one-lane bridge at Kilisut Harbor is working fine.
AREA UPDATES
AREA UPDATES
• Capital programs continue underway. Good news - State has allocated more money to
continue projects. Bad news – Resulting in continued out of order for 5 vacation houses
through August 2020.
Tri-Areas – Bethany shared that The Old Alcohol Plant and Bayside Housing event is this
weekend.
• Big results from September’s Gala for Bayside Housing.
• Bayside Development Director position is open.
• Nov. 2 will bring in Seafair poets, for Community Boar project.
• Thanksgiving coming up. Hosting 12 noon -5PM buffet with Chef Troy
• Chef Troy looking forward to sharing talents with the CrabFest Cooking Demo stage.
Forks – Marsha shared that Forever Twlight festival was another success and that thanks to
Lissy they have hosted a number of industry FAM groups.
Port Townsend Marketing – Christina shared news including:
• The EnjoyPT.com updated website has been updated. It is itinerary focused.
• Also doing a Road Trip sweepstakes.
• Arlene will be the point going forward. With a new Chamber staff for special projects
including marketing.
• Port of Seattle – still active. Lots of FAM’s. including Hoh in the rain. Herds of deer in Port
Townsend, Elk in Brinnon, and plenty of fog as FAM concluded at Alderbrook in Union.
WTA/WTMA – Christina share details of:
• Earth and Sky studios has been named as interim marketing contractor through March.
Tasked with overarching marketing theme.
• Interviewing WA State branding agency finalists
• 2020 Editorial for WA State Visitors Guide. Once again expect to have good representation –
of Olympic Peninsula.
• WTA – Retreat will be up in Bellingham this Fall.
Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:02 PM
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday November 12, 2019 – 10:00 AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow.
(cont.)
ADJORN