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Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
March 8, 2022 (DRAFT)
The March 8, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was
called to order at 10:05 AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. Noting that a quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Bill Roney, Marsha Massey, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Crystie
Kisler, present.
Members Excused: Cleone Telling
Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Andy Nordstrom, Arlene Alen
TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively
Consent Agenda Approval of February 8, 2022, 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’s highlights included updates regarding
• COVID Pandemic moving into Endemic status, anticipating March 12 lifting of masking
mandate in phased coordination with state and federal guidelines.
• Excited for the “force multiplier” potential being created by the merger of N. Hood Canal and
Jefferson County Chambers.
• The Kingston Express, Route #14 transits shuttle connecting to the Kingston to Seattle foot
passenger ferry has launched. Current ridership is low.
• Port of Port Townsend discussing sustainability and carrying capacity with different community
partners from Port Ludlow to Quilcene. Steve and Marsha will resource Greg with general
value of tourism and over tourism talking points.
OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared various items of OPTC information, including:
• A recap of recent OPTC meeting.
• Neah Bay will be reopening to visitors March 15
• WA State Tourism ads, and travel/trade missions e.g. IPW, and UK trip.
• OPTC with TCC and other marketing partners are in process of building Spring
campaign
• eNews reader survey found that multi-day Itineraries, dog friendly and accessible
trails are top in readership / interest.
• TREAD mobile map app by Drama Maps is being rolled out state wide, Marsha,
Steve and – key land managers will participate in an upcoming video conference on
application.
• Port of Seattle has been busy with SEA international flight terminal ribbon cutting
and announcement of 315 scheduled Alaska cruises for Seattle. Increases over
2019 levels.
• Save the Date - State of WA Tourism (SWT): October 11-12, 2022 for in-person
statewide tourism in the SeaTac area. Followed by an Outdoor Recreation &
Environmental Sustainability Conference on Oct 12-13 at Bell Harbor Conference
Center in Seattle.
Marketing Report
Steve Reviewed with TCC the following:
• Reviewed general sentiment related to pandemic turning into endemic after two-years!
COMMISSIONER
UPDATE
OPTC REPORT
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
• Compounded by growing unrest in Ukraine, resulting in a rise to gas (domestic travel) and
international travelers being impacted.
• Good news from US Travel’s 5-point Plan on Sustainable Travel initiatives.
• Review of select upcoming TCC marketing initiatives, including Olympic Discovery Trail print
trail map partnership, popular promotion of Migratory waterfowl watchers trail, celebrating
Chevy Chase Beach Cottages 125th season, and full-page ad in N. Olympic Peninsula travel
guide
• Reviewed initial results (53,297,872 impressions) from collaborative Fall-Winter OPTC
marketing campaign, and plans for refreshed Spring campaign with exchanging bus ads for
additional Seattle metro area TV commercial runs. (1,183 total TV ad spots)
Area Updates:
West End – Steve is looking forward to meeting with Amy Neil, new Kalaloch GM
Aaron – Shared Fort Flagler & Marrowstone news, including, Park is seeing Increased visitation.
Staff is busy de-winterizing facilities and filling seasonal positions. Museum opening and park tours
are scheduled to return in April. Fort Flagler Friends group will continue virtual programing –
transitioning to in-person tours.
Crystie – Shared that they are pretty much “head down and focused internally on ‘holes, goals, and
roles’.
• Essentially figuring out what’s next by updating their crew and communications. Welcoming
more visitors, while still keeping it safe.
• Farms Reach Café is for sale.
• Skillmation in partnership with Chimacum Community school hosting May 26 job fair
Port Ludlow – Diana shared highlights including:
• Pt. Ludlow, arts and events are spring up all over!
• At the Inn
o Visit our website to see a calendar of upcoming events.
• Fireside Restaurant:
o Wednesday themed meals for March is Fresh Catch.
o We restarted breakfast and would appreciate you spreading the word to your
circles.
o Cellar Master Dinner – sold out in 5 days. Most people found out about in the
newsletter.
• Golf
o Clinics are being offered now through end of March.
o We will have a booth at the Portland Golf Show towards the end of March
• Marina:
o Stop by the Marina store for some popcorn
• In the Village
o Available space for lease in Office Park next to the clinic
Gateway VIC – Bill reported:
• Volunteers meeting held last week in preparation for Spring. Focused on new rules related to
post March 12 masking mandate lifts, in coordination with JCHS regarding “rules of the room”.
• ADA railings and ramp project almost complete at Gateway VIC
• Jefferson County plans to move much needed parking lot improvements.
• Looking for volunteer recruitment to support spring seasonal reopening’s.
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
(cont.)
AREA UPDATES
PT Chamber/City Marketing – Arlene shared insights regarding ongoing N. Hood Canal and
Jefferson Co. Chamber integration. PT VIC masking optional
• Glad to see return of live events. E.g. “Home Builder Show” last week pretty well attended.
• April 2nd is the seasonal reopening of Saturday Farmers Market – Ribbon Cutting scissors are
getting sharpened!
• Resort at Pt Ludlow will host upcoming Chamber community leadership awards. Nominations
are still open.
• Port Townsend is forming Tourism Sustainability taskforce
• NW Maritime tourism grant recently written.
• Additional bike tours cycling throughout the year.
• Anticipating busy a summer.
Adjournment – Bill offered thoughts and prayers for the unrest impacting the people of Ukraine.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:31 AM
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday April 12, 2022 – 10:00 AM location/mode TBD
AREA UPDATES
(Cont.)
ADJORN