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Home My WebLink AboutM101320Tourism Coordinating Council —Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council October 13, 2020 (DRAFT) The October 13 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:03 am by TCC Chair Roney. A quorum assembled with Council members present: Marsha Massey, Cleone Telling, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Crystie Kisler, and Bill Roney in attendance. Partners present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Bethany Smith, Arlene Alen TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Consent Agenda Moved for Approval by Marsha September 8, TCC minutes and current TCC Financials as presented, motion seconded by Aaron. Consent actions approved unanimously. Commissioner's Report —Greg shared tourism related news and updates, including • Coronavirus —Jefferson County remains in Phase 2. A new state application process for eventual Phase 3 request will be required. • Eviction moratorium extended. • Hoh tribe updated their internet broadband access via SpaceX's Starlink network. • Greg outlined the updated LTAC marketing grants 2021 process. CALL TO ORDER CONSENT AGENDA COMISSIONER'S REPORT OPTC Highlights — Marsha shared various items of OPTC information, including: • Thoughts shared regarding LTAX (Lodging Tax) in cities vs counties.... In both Clallam OPTC REPORT and Jefferson, we are currently seeing higher performance of LTAX in the unincorporated counties than the core cities (Jefferson vs. Port Townsend and same dynamic in Clallam vs. Port Angeles and Sequim). Similar reports coming in from the San Juan Island's (Island Co. vs Friday Harbor). Possible reasons include: Location of short-term vacation rentals (VRBO, AirBNBs) are more prevalent in the unincorporated counties vs cities + some travelers current preference for short term vacation rentals vs traditional hotels. And in both Clallam and JeffCo, many of our largest LTAX generators are in the counties (e.g. Aramark, Port Ludlow, Kalaloch etc.) More to research and learn about this. • WA Tourism Conference was all virtual — offering great panels and speakers. • All ads generated in collaboration with BlackBall Marketing, are up and running. Marsha reviewed the key campaign goals and visual assets with TCC. Marketing Report Steve provided a TCC briefing of COVID-19 marketing highs and lows, including: • Financial update review, September LTAX generated below budgeted amount, however JeffCo. is performing as well as other Phase 2 communities around the Peninsula. And September's revenues were second only to 2019's record level, surpassing all previous years for period. Continue to predict 2020 will finish approximately 33% below budget. Very comfortable with LTAC's recommendation to BoCC that TCC's 2020 reduction will be available for us to begin 2021's important winter and spring marketing efforts with. Steve further illustrated some of the WA State Tourism conference research highlighted by Marsha. Especially the pandemics impact on small business, such as restaurants. Growing hope with both consumer sentiment and regional cruise industry plans to return to travel early next year. TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT Recap of TCC's past months social and digital media campaigns. Noting that political ads are completely eclipsing ad buy capacities of TCC. Resulting in more -or -less a strategic 'hunkering down' of ad -buys until November 3rd's elections have passed. Encouragement to take part in NOAA's "Blue Economy" survey. Great Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary potential for local hospitality industry to get involved. Passenger volume at SeaTac airport is still off 60+% YTD, yet it is showing weekly signs of recovery. TCC participated with Port of Seattle and OPVB to post a Spotlight ad in Concourse D through 2020's Q4. Area Updates: Port Ludlow - Diana shared: TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT (Cont.) The Inn hosted a successful FAM tour with Scout the golden retriever. o Follow Scout's journeys on Instagram around the Olympic Peninsula and now AREA UPDATES Whidbey Island: https://www.instagram.com/scoutgoldenretriever/. He came up the West End and around to Port Ludlow. Scout has over 200K followers on I nstagra m o The Inn lists the dog friendly lodging at www.bringfido.com • Golf interest continues • Thanksgiving and Christmas meals will be a combo of modified sit down, plus take out • Current resort Package special include Fall Relax and Farm -to- Fork. • Mid -week spike in occupancy has fallen off. Short lead time still being experienced. • "What do you do in the rain?" themed as Port Ludlow's in-house campaign Gateway VIC — Bill noted: • Visitor Center has been open for walk-in entry during last month. Still no volunteers at that point. • West End days — still being formulated. Logistics with Kalaloch are being worked out. • Concern of maintaining brochure supply levels into future remains. • General tone of travel is positive. Education of visitors and COVID compliance is seen. Quilcene — Brinnon — Cleone reported: In process of electing new chair for Quilcene Historical Museum. Christine Satterlee is the Chair -elect. • New Quilcene Historical Museum bylaws being considered. Tri-Area — Chimacum Valley & Marrowstone Island - Aaron shared that: • Fort Flager Historic State Park preservation projects are ongoing. All vacation houses now open and occupied! • Average gate counts numbering 200+ car increase over weekends, and 50+ midweek over prior averages for the same period. • Record numbers in lower campground reservations. Plenty of brand-new RV's. Plenty mid -week visitors taking advantage of the WiFi. • The BeachComber snacks and Kayak rental concessions are winding down for season. • Excellent newsletter just released from the Friends of Fort Flagler. http://www.friendsoffortflagler.org/newsletter.html • Group Camp & open Air Shelter reservations will resume in Phase 3 Counties Crystie shared regarding "downtown" Chimacum: AREA UPDATES • Finnriver is doing fine. Chimacum Corner Farmstand is doing OK. (cont.) • Lots of staffing changes at Finnriver • November will bring a revised food service model. Including more Virtual Tasting opportunities and expanded Finnriver Pantry Store — featuring goods and foods handmade by small-scale PNW farmers and artisans. • Fall campaign theme is — "love is at the core" Bethany shared regarding Port Hadlock — • Spirits restaurant enjoying good traffic thanks to October CrabFest specials and upcoming Beer and Brat. • Carry -out re -heat & serve, and advance reservation dine -in Thanksgiving options • Welcoming a new Development Director with good non-profit experience for Bay Side Housing West End — Marsha shared: "Forever Twilight Festival" focused on virtual offerings due to COVID, and thankfully so as heavy smoke would have hampered all outdoor and many in -person scheduled activities. Greg asked if current The Wired `Antifa Bus' hoaxes story is representative of an on -going public perception issue. Marsha will consult Lissy Andros and find out details. Port Townsend — Arlene shared: • That things are moving along as Port Townsend slows into Fall. • Legacy collaterals in VIC are being consolidated. New tech solutions are helping with transition. • 700+ visitors served last Sept., still off —50%. • Working on Visit Jefferson web site with direct links to partners. • Studying challenges of successful online event models. Bringing value to revenue models is a key goal. Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 11:35 AM ADJORN Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday November 10, 2020 — 10:00 AM at location TBD (the Inn at Port Ludlow if "Stay At Home" order has been lifted. Otherwise via Zoom).