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Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
January 11, 2022 (DRAFT)
The January 11, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was
called to order at 10:00 AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. Noting that a quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Cleone
Telling, Crystie Kisler, present.
Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Christina Maloney, Anji Scalf, Arlene Alen
TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
Consent Agenda Approval of December 14, 2021, TCC minutes and current TCC budget, JeffCo.
and Olympic Peninsula Room Tax reports were presented. The Consent Agenda was moved and
approved by unanimous consent.
CALL TO ORDER
CONSENT
AGENDA
Commissioner’s Update – Commissioner Brotherton was welcomed back to the TCC collaborative.
Noting that Commissioner Eisenhower will maintain BoCC representation with LTAC as Brotherton
assumes the 2022 TCC committee assignment.
Greg’s highlights included updates planned for a late January launch of the Jefferson Co. Express
connector route linking E. Jefferson (ideally Hains Street Park & Ride) with the Kingston fast
passenger ferry. Also, updates and discussion related to ongoing tourism impact from COVID and
spike in Omicron variant upon Jefferson Co.
OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared various items of OPTC information, including:
• The ongoing OPTC co-op Winter campaign, running through mid February.
• WTA’s consumer facing brand “State of WA Tourism” and tag-line “WA a State of Mind” New
website and supporting social media elements were discussed. All very complementary to our
“You Can’t Get Anymore Northwest” themed campaigns.
• 2022 Travel planner – progression towards April production goal, in parallel with WA State
travel guide
• Olympia’s legislative session outlook reviewed. Keeping an eye on SB 5513 proposing use of
LTAC revenues for workforce housing.
• Slow and selected FAM tours being scheduled for 2022. Mostly domestic travel writers.
Marketing Report
Steve Reviewed with TCC the following:
• Reviewed 2021’s final +61.92% LTAX revenues over prior year, (+37.04% improvement over
2019’s previous all-time record high).
• Reviewed early 2022 outlooks for travel and COVID impacts. Take-away; The experts agree that
for your best 2022 travel experiences, the key is flexibility especially with your time and
budget. TCC’s messaged value proposition to be in parallel with consumers sentiment.
• Reviewed articles on value of outdoors for wellbeing, equity ongoing focus on sustainable
destination management rather than marketing.
• Introduced new program concept of History & Heritage Passbook focused on increasing
visitors’ length of stay and giving access to various Jefferson Co. heritage sites and activities.
• Reviewed current OPTC joint-marketing timeline and impressions, plus TCC’s advertising and
sponsored marketing partnership with Northern Peninsula FC for upcoming season.
COMMISSIONER
UPDATE
OPTC REPORT
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
Old Business: ACTION Bill and Steve presented second reading of proposed TCC Bylaw revisions.
The reviewed Bylaws were moved for adoption – pending approval by JeffCo. BoCC – by Diana,
Seconded by Marsha. APPROVED unanimously.
ACTION Slate of TCC 2022 Officers in accordance with Bylaws:
• Chair – Bill Roney (nominated by Crystie, seconded Marsha),
• Vice Chair – Diana Smeland,
• Recorder of Record – Crystie Kisler (with Steve as TCC Secretary designee). The full slate was
nominated by Bill, seconded by Aaron. APPROVED unanimously. Bill will forward details to
Jefferson Co. BoCC for concurrence.
New Business: ACTION Council membership - TCC dismissed with thanks, Joy Baisch, and seated
Christina Maloney to TCC’s Brinnon and Hood Canal area, action moved by Bill, seconded by Diana.
APPROVED unanimously. Bill will forward details to Jefferson Co. BoCC for concurrence.
Area Updates:
Aaron – Shared Fort Flagler & Marrowstone news, including, Park hasn’t suffered too much
flooding or snow damage. Good news that the Marrowstone – Nordland store hosted the New
Year Polar Plunge. Retreat center awaits structural assessment – no retreat center bookings for
about 275 bed capacity facilities, while Fort’s five vacation houses remain busy.
Crystie – Shared that they are pretty tuckeed in due to snow, staying responsive and COVID
pragmatic. Focus raised on
• Affordable housing, workforce
• Food system – F.E.E.D. (Food, Education, Enterprise Development) within Chimacum
schools. Will be seeking to fill Program Coordinator in 2022
• CSA pick-up / food hub at Finnriver being developed.
Cleone – Gave Worthington Park and Quilcene museum updates, including. Worthington House
volunteers are waiting anxiously for the county to bless our conditional use permit to open the
doors for business by May 20th (grand opening). “We will have indoor flushing toilets!”
Keeping Quilcene Caffeinated, PNW Brew Espresso is planning to open in Quilcene in a couple
weeks.
Christina – Shared that post winter storm, Hwy 101 now clear – limited lower elevation hikes
available. Snow shoeing was great – for those who drive in the get there. The Hama Hama polar
plunge party was rescheduled from New Years to this coming weekend (because of weather – even
though the water temp remains consistently cold all winter long!)
Port Ludlow – Diana shared highlights including: The INN is OK with staffing, still seeking Sr. Sales
and Night Audit positions.
• The Fireside Restaurant features Wednesday themed meals – January has been “Low & Slow”,
February will be weekly Pasta specials
• Inn occupancy continues to improve.
• Ongoing management challenge of consistency of chasing the CDC’s 5-day vs. 10-day
recommended operators self-quarantine directives.
Gateway VIC – Bill reported: VIC opened the full month of December. Will strive to maintain 2022
schedule. Grateful for the dedicated team of continuing volunteers into 2022.
December marked first down month since 2019 due largely to restricted travel during snow days.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
AREA UPDATES
JeffCo. Historic Society – Anji introduced herself and shared that a new DEI staff member will be
starting. Port Townsend museum currently undergoing woodwork refinishing and exhibit refresh.
Will reopen soon with new exhibit on Chinese immigrant influence on PacNW and seasonal
reopening’s of Rothchild House and CO’s Quarters.
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 11:48 AM
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday February 8, 2022 – 10:00 AM location/mode TBD
ADJORN