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Home My WebLink About101122M TCC Minutes DRAFT Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council October 11, 2022 (DRAFT) The October 11, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, convening a hybrid meeting In person from the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center – site of the SWT (State of WA Tourism - Conference), and via Zoom, was called to order at 10:03) AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. Noting that a quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Bill Roney, Diana Smeland, Marsha Massey Amy Neil, Cleone Telling, Bethany Smith Excused: Aaron Terada, Crystie Kisler, Christina Maloney, Andrew Nordstrom Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Jessie Short TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively No Public Comments received. Consent Agenda Approval of TCC September 13, 2022, 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 PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner’s Update – Commissioner Brotherton’s highlights included updates regarding: • BoCC continuing to monitor CDC COVID-19 case rates across the County. Anticipating Governor ending state-wide COVID emergency 10/31, but BoCC maintaining emergency declaration for Jefferson. • Transitioning to once-per-month BoCC updates from Dr. Berry. All encouraged to take advantage of mass vaccination clinic in Chimacum this weekend. • Lots of tourism vibe throughout Peninsula. Enjoying lots of recreation and events. OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared the following updates from last weeks OPTC meeting: • Good overview from Steve Roark of WSDOT as he briefed OPTC on the many upcoming bridge and roadway projects planned for the Peninsula in 2023. He agreed to return to brief OPTC further in January 2023. • Seasonal continuation of joint Fall marketing campaign, with Oct. 17 launch of 3-week social media contest featuring Port Ludlow, Forks, and a grand prize package including stays at Kalaloch Lodge. • OPTC voted to plan a two-tier 2023 Travel Planner consisting of a ‘traditional’ ~ 32 page planner (est. 50K print run) – sans lodging matrix – and a 9-panel “lite” planner (est. 100K print run) used as a lure piece for Certified Folder distribution Marketing Report - Steve Reviewed with TCC the following: • Plenty of marketing activity with hosting of travel writers on FAM at Chevy Chase Beach Cabins and dinner at Port Ludlow’s Fireside. Also attendance at Travel & Words Conference in North Bend, Oregon – ‘Pitching’ Olympic Peninsula with 20+ one-on-one travel writer appointments. • One exceptional lead was with prolific PacNW hiking guidebook author Craig Romano, who will provide detailed content for TCC’s segment of the TREAD app for Olympic Peninsula. • Upcoming events include Bill and Steve’s participation in the SWT (State of WA Tourism - Conference), and the Sustainable Outdoor Travel Summit. COMMISSIONER UPDATE OPTC REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT • Initial reports from both weekend and combo Apple & Cider & Crab Festivals were very positive for attendance numbers and preliminary visitor reactions. Promotional video produced for Apple & Cider Fest has seen high viewer engagement. • “Smoke Season” and lack of rain are impacting travelers as well as newly imposed fishing restrictions on scores of Olympic Peninsula National Park rivers and creeks. • Planned impacts of WSDOT 2023 construction projects was reviewed with spring and summer travel impacts discussed. • Final TCC application plans for 2023 LTAC proposal were finalized. Area Updates: Port Ludlow – Diana shared these highlights: • End of August occupancy at Inn is on par with last year, and within 12% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Mostly sold out weekends, with growth in mid week bookings. • All Ludlow Village business’ have moved to fall hours of operations. • Golf course has moved to winter rules of play and winter rates. • Port Ludlow performing arts have exciting fall concert schedule calendared. Gateway VIC – Bill reported: • Working on Gateway budget in advance of 2023 LTAC application. • Hoping for – gentle - fall rains to begin falling. • Maintaining the VIC open six days/week services. • Still seeking peak Wednesday – Thursday visitation, indicating travelers shifting from weekends only during shoulder season. Quilcene –- Cleone provided the following update: • Happy that PUD is building fiber optics internet service to Quilcene in 2023! • Worthington Park Scarecrow contest will be October 14-15 and October 21-22 with “VIP Scarecrow” and a new voting format. Tri-Areas – Bethany shared these community details: • OAP will host Oktoberfest events with numerous vendors and restaurant offerings. • Second art gallery opening coming this month. • Bayside Housing is hosting fundraising campaign, as they draw closer to closing on the Hadlock Motel for additionally managed low-income housing inventory. West End – Amy shared these highlights: • Kalaloch’s new Gazebo has been much appreciated. • Ruby beach reopening is a welcomed visitor destination. • Cabins are staying booked. • Creekside Restaurant and – Mercantile will combine to feed visitors into the fall. Mercantile will offer grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. Creekside offering dinner service care of walk-up ordering and seating in the dining room. • Marsha shared with Forks Twilight Forever Fest was very successful. Adjournment – Bill invited everyone to join us next month. Meeting adjourned at 11:09 AM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday November 8, 2022 – 10:00 AM hybrid – in-person at Resort at Port Ludlow or access via Zoom. Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively AREA UPDATES ADJORN