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Home My WebLink About051022M Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council May 10, 2022 (DRAFT) The May 10, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, was called to order at 10:01 AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. Noting that a quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Bill Roney, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Crystie Kisler, Cleone Telling Members Excused: Aaron Terada, Marsha Massey Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Arlene Alen, Amy Neil TCC Marketing Coordinator present: Steve Shively Consent Agenda Approval of April 12, 2022, TCC minutes and current TCC budget, JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Hotel 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 about: • Open Meeting Act changes involving TCC will require in-person options after June 1, despite the recent rise in COVID cases within Jefferson Co. After discussion - Steve will work with Diane and The Resort at Port Ludlow, to once again see if there is any “room at the Inn” to host a – hybrid – TCC meeting starting in June. • Recommendations remain from Dr. Berry to wear masks and obtain all eligible vaccines and booster shots. TCC discussed testing and transmission rates. • May 20 Chamber meeting will include initial report on ventilation study for public places. • WSDOT has a June 9 public workshop scheduled for potential 4-weeks or Hood Canal Bridge Closures in 2022 or 2022. • Hadlock Motel transfer to Bayside Housing for conversion to low-income housing. OPTC Highlights – No report as Marsha is traveling representing the Olympic Peninsula at various trade meetings and events. Marketing Report - Steve Reviewed with TCC the following: • Reviewed news from resent OPTC meeting, including ongoing success of current Spring joint- marketing campaign. • Travel sentiment weakening from currently YoY robust pace due to global tensions in Ukraine and continued domestic and international inflation. Camping remains very popular. • Good news with Worthington House grand opening and return of Brinnon ShrimpFest • Reviewed excellent web traffic generated by Worthington House story and Ranger Aaron’s blog offering full of tips for enjoying summer in local WA State Parks. • Recap of FAM tours supported by TCC with social media influencers and writers. • Supporting Andy’s request to share TCC’s support with JeffCo. DCD regarding Marrowstone Inn development Area Updates: West End –Amy Neil reported the following from Kalaloch: • Staffing up continues. Still looking for extra help as they are rebuilding kitchen staffing. Excited for new chef starting next week. The Creekside Restaurant offering Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner service • April occupancy was strong • Earth Day and Coast Savers clean-up hosting welcomed about 100 participants each. COMMISSIONER UPDATE OPTC REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT AREA UPDATES • Traffic is already building, and with delays on the Hoh and season-long closure of Ruby Beach, roadways will soon be extra-crowded! • Rebuilding storm damaged Gazabo on Bluff, just in time for increased wedding bookings. Tri-Area - Crystie – Shared that Finnriver is happy to be retiring QR codes for ordering. Restoring in- person service counter, and extra emphasis on increased ventilation. Seeing more bookings for private events Returning to more in-house programing, including in-house lecture series. Port Ludlow – Diana shared highlights including: • Art League’s Art Fair being held May 28, followed by music June 11 • Four new eBikes for rent with maps to Finnriver and area, starting at $30/hour • Fireside Restaurant offering Wednesday Farm Dinners. On June 23 a Cidermaker dinner with Finnriver, will certainly sell out. • The historic wood ship Lady Washington will be at dock this weekend. • Big ribbon cutting in collaboration with School of Wood Boat Building – The Clean Bay, is the first zero emissions pump out boat on the water! Gateway VIC – Bill reported: • VIC welcomed a record high for April of 52% of visitors from out of state over the last month. • Hearing lots of grumbling over the rising price of gas • The Gateway still waiting on weather to improve for much needed parking lot, painting and ADA porch projects to be completed. • Everyone is encouraged to stay healthy. PT Chamber/City Marketing – Arlene shared that the USS Nimitz, with ~5-6K sailors on shore leave are HERE! • Building more wedding resources, including “Proposal Packages” • Port Townsend is part of a USA Today “Best of” contest for Top 10 US food cities. Vote often! • The number of Reader Board requests is a good indicator that Summer Events are picking up Adjournment – Bill offered thoughts and prayers for the unrest impacting the people of Ukraine. The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 AM Links shared – USA Today 10Best - voting Port Townsend to the top of the small-town food chain https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/small-town-food-scene/port-townsend- washington/share/ Worthington Park Grand Opening - Sunday May 22, 1- 5PM https://www.worthingtonparkquilcene.org/events/event-calendar/#mc_calendar_22_153- calendar-details-my-calendar Hood Canal Bridge - SR104 Roundabout Projects https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction- planning/search-projects?combine=hood+canal Marrowstone Inn - JeffCo. DCD Public Hearing, May 26, 2022, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86348028498, (Contact Andy Nordstrom for details 206-556- 9373) ADJORN Aaron's most popular Blog post - https://olympicpeninsula.org/visiting-washington-state-parks/ Olympic NPS news releases - Contact Public Affairs officer Penny Wagner 360-565- 3005, penny_wagner@nps.gov, and ask to be placed on her Olympic National Park News Release distribution for Ruby Beach, Hoh road and related NPS news. Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday June 14, 2022 – 10:00 AM location/mode TBD Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively