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Home My WebLink About110822M Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council November 8, 2022 (DRAFT) The November 8, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, convening a hybrid meeting In person from the Anderson Suite – The Inn at Port Ludow, and via Zoom, was called to order at 10:05 AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. A quorum was not in attendance. Council members present: Bill Roney, Diana Smeland, Marsha Massey Amy Neil Excused: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Aaron Terada, Cleone Telling, Crystie Kisler, Christina Maloney, Andrew Nordstrom, Bethany Smith Valued Partners: Shelly Leavens, Tim Caldwell and Monica McGuire (all JCHS) and Bethany Smith TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively No Public Comments received. Consent Agenda Without a quorum present, the TCC October 11, 2022, minutes and current TCC budget, JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Hotel Room Tax reports were reviewed, yet not approved by consent. TCC had discussion related to remainder of 2022 budget spending, and the TREAD app. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared the following updates from last weeks OPTC meeting: • Great introduction with Sula Jacobs the new superintendent of Olympic National Park. • Wonderful SWT Conference and Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Summit attended by many. • Fall OPTC collaborative marketing campaign at mid-point. Sweepstakes exceeded expectations by 25% with 5,033 entries. Thanks to Port Ludlow and Kalaloch for hosting prize winners. Campaigns TV commercials will resume after elections, with carry-over into January. • 2023 TP (Travel Planner) format has been approved by OPTC consisting of; o 32K ‘traditional’ print TP less 8 pages of lodging matrix. o Full 40-page TP (inclusive of lodging matrix) via online digital o 100K “TP lite” map centric with lots of drill-down QR codes, and Book>Direct linkage for lodging. New Business - TCC was briefed regarding Gateway VIC succession planning and management. JCHS members Shelly, Tim and Monica framed situation: Bill will be retiring Feb. 2023. JCHS has decided to not continue management of Gateway VIC beyond 2023. JCHS committed that Gateway VIC remain open throughout all of 2023’s transitional year, while actively seeking next entity to operate it – even in an interim management basis. Shelly noted that in an initial scoping meeting with Commissioner Eisenhower that JeffCo. Will issue RFQ for bidding of Gateway VIC management. TCC, JeffCo. EDC, and Jefferson Chamber of Commerce all identified by JCHS as groups for consideration. Steve shared that TCC’s current SOW (Scope of Work) and allocated 2023 budget did not foresee inclusion of Gateway VIC management for 2023. But that – conceptually – it could be akin to how other tourism marketing ‘vendors’ are managed and paid, be they print or digital advertisers, collaborative marketing partners, contract content producers, or the contracted TCC Marketing Director. Discussion tabled. TCC officer succession planning was discussed, in role of Chair, due to Bill’s retirement. Creation of job description and consideration of Council classes would be helpful. Discussion tabled. OPTC REPORT NEW BUSINESS Marketing Report - Steve Reviewed with TCC the following: • TCC application plans to JeffCo. LTAC was accepted for 2023. Approving $295,000 allocation. • Reviewed increasing demands on LTAC funds, including Colorado voters referendum considering possibly redirecting tourism marketing dollars to community service level housing. • A number for very informative SWT Conference workshops attended including Chelan Co. “Recreation Ambassador” program which could help address alt. Gateway VIC staffing needs. • TCC is contracting with content providers for our segment of TREAD App. Hiking guidebook author Craig Romano, and North America TALK • Current boast from both OPTC and Olympic Nat. Park Trips Enjoy Olympic Peninsula campaigns • Wise move by Coho MV’s Black Ball Ferry to promote Jessica Wiersma to Director of Marketing • Wild weather – from record air quality (smoke) events to days recovering from wind storms. Area Updates: Port Ludlow – Diana shared these highlights: • Glad to again host TCC. Groups continue. As do some full-vaccination service logistics. • Dec. 3rd Christmas tree lighting with Santa, and Dec. 23 boat parade festival are planned, • Reservations for holidays picking up, both lodging and dining reservations. • Cellar Master dinner special with focus on European wines • Special upcoming Ludlow Arts performances will round out the 2022 performance season. Gateway VIC – Bill reported: • Working on Gateway’s 2023 operations and transitions. • 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: • Over 500 folks attended - on a beautiful, creative day – the Quilcene Fiber Festival at Worthington Park • All 17 entries were fabulous at the Scarecrow contest, and the judges had a tough time picking just one winner out of each category. West End – Amy shared these highlights: • Kalaloch occupancy has been about 50% post Labor Day. • Thanksgiving weekend and Creekside Restaurant reservations are strong. • Small size of harvestable razor clams causes cancellation of harvest at Kalaloch beach Chimacum – Crystie shared the following update: • Power outage was rough on Chimacum! Multiple businesses lost a crucial weekend of revenue AND struggled to keep food cold/frozen with power out. • We have our annual Community Bowls, Soup Share and Craft Fair happening at Finnriver the last weekend of November with multiple partners and vendors. • Chimacum Schools Craft Fair is happening again in December with another craft fair at the Grange. I think weekend of 12/11. • With Chimacum Cafe, Keg & I and Farm’s Reach properties being on the market— how to attract entrepreneurs and investment that’s aligned with local food community values etc. Adjournment – Bill invited everyone to join us next month. Meeting adjourned at 11:09 AM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday December 13, 2022 – 10:00 AM hybrid – in-person at Resort at Port Ludlow (with cookies and coffee service), or access via Zoom. Submitted – Steve Shively TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT AREA UPDATES ADJORN