HomeMy WebLinkAbout011221MTourism Coordinating Council —Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
January 12, 2021 (DRAFT)
The January 12 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was CALL TO ORDER
called to order at 10:01 AM by TCC Chair Roney. A quorum assembled in attendance:
Council members present: Marsha Massey, Brian Cullin, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Crystie
Kisler, and Bill Roney all present.
Partners present: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Bethany Smith
TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Agenda Consisting of December 8, TCC minutes and current TCC Financials as
presented, approved by unanimous consent.
Commissioner's Report — Greg shared tourism related news and updates, including: COMISSIONER'S
• Noting that this will be his last TCC meeting, "for the time being", with Commissioner REPORT
Heidi Eisenhour staffing both LTAC and TCC starting in February. TCC gave thanks to
Greg for his advocacy and involvement in regional tourism.
• Coronavirus in Jefferson County updates and ongoing briefings in anticipation of
continued distribution of vaccines.
• Discussion of prefilled bills in Olympia related to tourism and proposed alternate uses
of LTAX funds.
• Upcoming LTAC meeting with review of their agenda regarding 2021 requests for
tourism promotion.
OPTC Highlights — Marsha shared various items of OPTC information, including:
• Upcoming January OPTC meeting work in progress.
• Summary of current travel industry sentiment and forecasts:
0 2021 Q1 expect very little traveling. 2021Q2 15-20% expect that they will travel. OPTC REPORT
Overall, 80% currently have some plans to travel in 2021— all pending a vaccine.
o Desire to travel remains high — "inspiration" is the current messaging. Corp.
Meetings & Events should begin again in 2021 Q2&3. Leisure cruises out of
Seattle are still planning for their full 2021 season (at this time).
• Additional discussion regarding numerous bills In Olympia related to tourism, with full
TCC discussion related to HB 1069
NEW BUSINESS
New Business —TCC discussed and agreed that comment against HB 1069 should be submitted
to Legislators, with cc: to our Dist. 24 elected officials. Bill and Steve will coordinate submittal.
Marketing Report
Steve Reviewed with TCC the following:
Rational related to current 2021 budget of only $63,330 and TCC's 2021 LTAC request for TCC MARKETING
$141,450, or an adjusted total budget requested of $205,000, pending LTAC's Jan. 20 COORDINATORS
recommendations. REPORT
• Preliminary results of 2020's Year -over -year performance with anticipated 2020 revenues of
$490,713, and 2020 performance coming in behind record years of 2017, '18 and '19.
• Ongoing COVID stressors on essential hospitality workers, from all sectors including airlines
and restaurants.
Dec. TCC messaging of support (e.g. ShowWALove.com, Brand USA's Olympic Peninsula
inspiration through their "When It's Time For You, We'll Be Ready —'Let's GO There"'
campaign), to local inspiration and information related to 2021 calendar of public lands
access days, and restrictions with fishing
Involvement with launch of Maritime WA National Heritage Area, and monitoring of
community calls for restorative tourism education and change, modeled by Hawaii's
Tourism Authority and NOAA's "Blue Star Economy" through the Olympic Coast National
Marine Sanctuary.
All -in -all a very busy year packed into these first few days of 2021!
Area Updates:
Port Ludlow - Diana shared:
• Winter golf series continue to be popular.
• Fireside restaurant continues for Valentine's Day modified 30 outside seating, + —30
takeout, and an extra 30 orders for in -room guest dining specials.
• Leisure travel segment continues replacing the Inn's lost group business.
• Micro weddings, Village art gallery and socially distant tent by marina are all being
promoted.
Gateway VIC — Bill noted:
• General tone of travel remains positive. Visitor COVID compliance still being seen.
January visitors looking for travel ideas during our wet weather.
• Visitor Center parking lot suffered vandalism to porta potties in conjunction with the
Jan. 6 raid on the Capital.
• Volunteers are ready to return as soon as its safe to welcome them back.
Quilcene — Brinnon — Brian reported:
• 2020 spent on grant exploration. Finishing up restoration of Worthington House.
Focused on Fall 2021 for full opening of mansion.
• Re-Org. and By-law revisions for Board, all necessary to support their moving to an
operations and special events facility.
• Good press for fall's Scarecrow contest via social media and dual websites.
• Fjord mag. Article regarding House painting and Mary P Johnson distinguished
restoration projects.
• Hoping to host April 3 Easter egg hunt, and June 26 Peninsula Adventure Sport events
Tri-Area — Chimacum Valley & Marrowstone Island - Aaron shared that:
• Nordland store site still welcomed some New Years Polar Bear swimmers, good
community support.
• Park continues to enjoy strong day -use numbers, and moderate winter camping
occupancy.
• 2021 reservations continue at their 9-months to the day advance bookings, on par with
past years. All historic guest house reservations again available for rent.
Bethany noted that Old Alcohol Plant's Bayside Housing was featured in 1889 Magaize as "a
game changer".
• Their restaurant has revised patio dining options. Adding clear marine vinyl siding and
promoting in -suite dining for registered hotel guests, along with "Dinner and a Movie"
packages.
AREA UPDATES
Crystie — shared updates: Finnriver is holding steady thanks to our amazing crew, loyal
customers, cider clubs, internet sales and our wholesale territories. Crystie and staff are looking AREA UPDATES
forward to a better year ahead. (cont.)
• Woodbridge Farm go -fund -me campaign for Peter Mustin and encourage everyone to
take a look at that to support the launching of a more equitable and diverse farming
community here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/healing-rowing-woodbridge-farm
• Also wanted to encourage everyone to look at the recent issue of Strait Up Magazine!
• Also pointing out the EdenSeed land campaign in Brinnon. All representing our
communities of color efforts to obtain land stability here.
• Also wanted to update everyone on the great efforts locally to collaborate around
emergency food support. New partnerships with Community Wellness Project, YMCA,
OlyCAP, Food Banks, Jefferson Healthcare, Schools etc. Finnriver has supplied hundreds
of emergency food boxes delivered to local families in food stress during the holidays.
• Neighbor Loaves project as well... subsidizing locally baked loaves of bread with local
grains.
Adjournment - There being no further business the TCC meeting was adjourned at 12:05 PM
ADJORN
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday February 9, 2021— 10:00 AM via Zoom