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Home My WebLink AboutM121019 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council December 10, 2019 (DRAFT) The December 2019 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:02 am by TCC Chair Roney, noting membership to reach a quorum was present with Council members Cleone Telling, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Joy Baisch, Marsha Massey and Bill Roney in attendance. Partners Present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Bethany Smith, Brian Cullin TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Consent Agenda Approval of November 12, TCC minutes and current TCC Financials was approved by consent CALL TO ORDER CONSENT AGENDA New Business • 2020 LTAC appropriations have been announced. TCC’s request (same as 2018) of $195,000 was responded to with a 2020 award of $190,000 + $10,000 pass-through for JeffCo. BoCC involvement in Olympic Peninsula Sustainable Tourism initiative with Clallam Co. • Bill thanked and applauded the full TCC Board for their volunteerism and service . Thanks to TCC for their yearlong involvement and energies – reaching well beyond marketing tourism, and into strategic leadership - JeffCo. Highlights - Commissioner Greg Brotherton provided the following JeffCo. BoCC (Board of County Commissioners) highlights: • Dosewallips sewer treatment station is ongoing • Greg and Steve have both received briefings from Chris Moore of Maritime WA National Heritage Area, noting highlights and potential opportunities for: Lower Hadlock, Irondale, Port Ludlow, Quilcene and Brinnon • Update on BoCC’s moratorium on new shooting ranges, plus Planning Commissions recommendation related to future development being indoor ranges. • Awareness that sufficient and affordable housing, inclusive of inventory for service level workers to our hospitality industry, continues on BoCC work plan. Marketing Report Steve provided a TCC 2019 in review briefing of marketing accomplishments, including: • Starting off 2019 behind the 8-ball with: Over $15,600 shortage in LTAC funding allocation, Government shut down, February ‘Snomagedden’ event and City of PT’s traditional marketing transaction. Yet we figured out how to not only survive but thrive with 8% YTD growth through November. • Closure of 3rd party UTrip itinerary system will be made up by enhancements to our own EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com website. • “Foodie” Traveler persona was a strong draw to deliciously fertile Chimacum Valley, and supported by Dean Runyon Assoc. report on JeffCo. visitor spend increasing 54% from 2010 to 2018, and 0.47 cents of every visitor dollar being spent in County on culinary tourism products. • Continued Bus ad cooperative transit in Pierce Co., Seattle/Bellevue and Portland • TCC provided leadership in both WSDOT’s recommendations of SR 104 Roundabouts and Olympic Peninsula tourism sustainability study. Immediate impacts for social responsible images used in print and digital promotions all around the Olympic Peninsula. • Social media reach comparison between Facebook (ave. 18,400+ reach) to Instagram (and the challenges of ‘feeding’ Instagram with the required visual content. New Business COMMISSIONERS REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT • Finally – through 3rd party analytics – TCC was able to review the scope and value of AirBnb and VRBO accommodations throughout JeffCo. Understanding opportunities and impacts will be ongoing task. • Extensive Print ads for spring, fall and winter continued, with 2020 Travel Planner prep underway and Getaway Guide to be reviewed. New niche ads included NFL and NBA games. • Continued hosting across JeffCo. of numerous segments of FAM tours of – mostly – international travel and trade professionals Area Updates: Port Ludlow – Diana shared a number of Port Ludlow initiatives, including: • Successful New ‘Annual’ Tree lighting took place December 2 • Holiday Tasting Meals started December 5 • Plenty of Fireside dinner and wine specials inclusive of Christmas Eve. Niblicks has recovered from water damage, offering take home dinners. • Lighted boats 12/21 inviting visitors to “cruise” (aka walk) the dock and enjoy the moored boats. • Winter golf tournaments are drawing good field of players. Gateway VIC – Bill noted: • Westend weekend – went well • All invited to Jefferson County Historical Societies First Night New Years eve. 5PM start. With the famous 9PM fireworks and raising the anchor at Memorial Field. • Thanks to all who helped out with their annual volunteers appreciation program. Their donations were well received and very much appreciated. • Lots of visitors showing that relocation and real estate interest continue to be on the rise. Quilcene – Cleone and Brian shared highlights including: • Holiday gala event – last Saturday – attended by approximately 100 people! • The Worthington House is budget to meet their conditional use permit conversion from residential to commercial. Thanks in a large part to over 30,000 volunteer hours and generous donations. • Septic, parking and water to house – all on-target for Labor Day 2020. Then the house will be open for business! • New or updated 2020 calendar events include 6/27 “Gravel Unravel” Mtn. Bike ride. o Sept. 20 – Oyster Races – Sunday for races (off-set by week from Quilcene Fair). o Extreme Run Lake Lealand – Date TBD Brinnon – Joy shared that Dosewallips State Park remains packed with visitors. Over 300K in attendance YTD; their cabins are prime attractions. • Road to Elk Horn parking lot refurbished. Continued recommending mile-5 access back country 12-mile bridge. Recently spotted survey crew beyond the second washout. • Pleasant Harbor is busy. Marina House hosting upcoming Master Facilities Open House. • Lots of Bear activity in ancient apple orchards • • Rocky Brooke – hosts approximately four cars average mid-week and 30-40 car loads each weekend Fort Flager & Marrowstone Is. – Aaron share news regarding the Bridge project. • Santa arrived at Nordland by boat this past weekend. • Fort Flagler construction including siding. New porch and windows out to bid as part of historic preservation capital project. Anticipated these units will remain closed to rentals through mid August 2020. TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT (Cont.) AREA UPDATES • New Years Day will feature a guided historic fort hike during the free First Day Hike program Bethany shared these Old Alcohol Plant highlights: • Santa arrives noon -4PM this Saturday. Live music 2-4PM. • Christmas tree in lobby is from their property, removed to make room for more kitchen gardens. • December 14 will be Hadlock’s ‘Holiday Day’ community celebration • May 6th is National Make Music Day • New Executive Directory, Leslie Shibliy from Tuson AZ of Bayside Housing. Currently consisting of (3 families totaling 22 guests). • Chef Troy’s goal of feeding Bayside residents daily from the Inn’s garden. • Salish Sea arts exhibit on display now. • New Years Eve will feature the Buck Ellard Band 9PM-12:30AM. Tri-Area, Chimacum area highlights were shared by Crystie. Including: • Challenge of sustaining summer pace during the slow season. i.e. 12/20-21 Gingerbread cooking making. • The annual Chimacum Craft fair was this past weekend. – Another well attended community gathering. • Newly installed Bio Digestor – requires 100lbs. of organic waste per day. • Beaver population management is a growing discussion point. • A flock of 30+ Trumpeter Swans have been seen returning to Short’s property. Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:06 PM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday January 14, 2019 – 10:00 AM at the Inn at Port Ludlow. AREA UPDATES (Continuted) ADJORN