HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec2022 TCC Minutes DRAFT
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
December 13, 2022 (DRAFT)
The December 13, 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 10:04 AM by TCC Chair Bill Roney. A quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Bill Roney, Diana Smeland, Aaron Terada, Cleone Telling, Crystie Kisler,
Marsha Massey, Bethany Smith, Christina Maloney
Valued Partners: Greg Brotherton, Arlene Alen, Kevin Wooley
TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively
No Public Comments received.
Approval of Agenda was moved for acceptance by Cleone and seconded by Diana. Approved
unanimously.
Consent Agenda Without a prior quorum present, the TCC October 11, 2022 and November 8,
minutes as well as the current TCC budget, JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Hotel Room Tax reports
were reviewed, and approved by consent.
Commissioner’s Update – Commissioner Brotherton shared the following:
Good turn-out at N. Hood Chamber mixer. COVID rate increases, combined with SAR and Flu,
adding to concerns with capacity at local and regional hospitals. OlyCAP contracts for Community
Centers in Quilcene and Brinnon coming up for renewal, as well as BoCC receiving notice that
Gateway VIC management under Jefferson Historic Society will be transitioning in 2023.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CONSENT
AGENDA
COMMISSIONER
REPORT
OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared the following updates from last weeks OPTC meeting:
• Steve Rork with WSDOT will be at the February OPTC meeting, delivering construction updates.
• Ongoing work on 2023 TP (Travel Planner) with approved formats 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.
• Increase in advance scheduled 2023 FAM (Familiarization) tours
• OPTC 2023 budget has been finalized.
On behalf of TCC Bill shared thanks to OPTC for quality service as our Olympic Peninsula DMO
(Destination Marketing Organization).
Old Business – Gateway VIC transition with anticipated RFP for management.
ACTION – Diana moved that TCC express interest in expanding scope of work to respond to JeffCo.
RFP regarding Gateway VIC management. And that TCC form a special committee to explore and
bring back proposal for RFP response to full TCC. Clone seconded. Discussion including naming
special committee consisting of: Bill, Steve, Crystie, Bethany, Tim Caldwell and Tim Rensema.
Motion carried.
New Business - TCC “Annual Meeting” (per Bylaws Art. III, Section 2)
a) Election of officers: Chair Diana Smeland, Seconded by Cleon, Vice Chair Cleone,
Seconded by Bethany, Recorder Crystie – duties assigned to and accepted by Steve, Seconded by
Cleone. 2023 Officers Approved by unanimous vote of Council
b) 2023 Meeting Schedule – Maintain 2nd Tuesday of each month (exception August),
change meeting time from 10AM to 2PM, Moved by Bethany, Second Diana. ACTION Approved.
OPTC REPORT
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
c) Continuation of Contract Marketing Coordinator - Bill had given TCC members advance
opportunity to communicate with him and to review proposed contract marketing services with
Steve for 2023. ACTION to continue contract marketing per supplied contract, Moved by Bethany,
Seconded by Diana – ACTION Approved.
d) Other business – 2-year class consideration – Moved by Cleone, Seconded by Bethany –
ACTION Approved. Motion by Diana to approved Bill to class 2023 seat #1 and Cleone to seat #2.
Second by Beth. Motion carried. Approved 2-year classes are as follows:
Class of 2023 2024 2025 2026
Seat # 1 - Gateway 3 - Forks 5 – Port Ludlow 7 - Kalaloch
2 - Quilcene 4 – Ft.
Flager/Marrostone
6 - Brinnon 8 – Chimacum / Pt. Hadlock
Marketing Report - Steve Reviewed with TCC the following:
• The busy year of 2022, coupled with advance looks at an equally busy 2023
• Status of strategic plan partnership between Jefferson and Clallam Counties.
• Domestic stats regarding rebound of holiday travel vs. pre-pandemic levels.
• Ongoing workforce crunch, especially in hospitalities service level sector.
• A number for very informative SWT Conference workshops attended including Chelan Co.
“Recreation Ambassador” program which could help address alt. Gateway VIC staffing needs.
• Highlights from TCC hosted North America TALK and TREAD App. content creator on
assignment at Kalaloch, Port Ludlow, Old Alcohol Plant, with visits to Finnriver and
Worthington Park too!
• Return of destination weddings to Olympic Peninsula and a TCC sponsored Seattle Wedding
Show booth showcasing all the local offerings.
• 2023 updates with Sound Publishing, Premier Media Group and Craig Romano E. Jefferson
hiking guide projects.
• Save the date for March 14, Tourism Advocacy Day in Olympia.
Area Updates:
Marrowstone – Aaron shared this news:
• Fort Flagler hosted legislative visit with Rep. Steve Theinger, focus on Capital budget request of
$500,000 for repairing Fort’s Retreat Center.
• MICA (Marrowstone Island Community Assoc.) is working on an East JeffCo. fire station
building update.
• Norland store owner - Ann Walch is aiming for a spring 2023 store reopening, featuring a
market and community coffee shop.
Port Ludlow – Diana shared these highlights:
• The Inn has its annual Christmas Tree for Kids, in addition to Tri-Area Food Bank donations
• The Fireside will be featuring weekly Wednesday Pasta night thru December
• The Ludlow Village hosted a successful Christmas tree lighting on December 3.
• Dec. 23 will feature a lighted boat parade throughout the marina.
• Trails to Rails project has identified four different paths across Hood Canal bridge to get to
Anderson Lake and connect trail users to ODT. Exciting to have a Kitsap Co. addition to the
Island Co. – Larry Scott Trail access to the eastern entry of the ODT.
Gateway VIC – Bill reported:
• Working on Gateway’s 2023 operations and transitions.
• Reflective of Gateway’s growth over the years, inclusive of technology expanding VIC’s reach.
• Maintaining the VIC open six days/week services.
• Snow has been a challenge with VIC staff and volunteers coming to the aid of travelers.
NEW BUSINESS
(Cont.)
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
AREA UPDATES
• Still seeing peak Wednesday – Thursday visitation before holidays. Supporting findings that
travelers are shifting from weekends only during shoulder season.
Quilcene –- Cleone provided the following update:
• Worthington Mansion has been booked solid since Thanksgiving.
• Successful docent appreciation dinner. Expansion of museum for storage funded through
Murdock grant, by Kevin Wooley. New Quilcene business. Still overjoyed by Scarecrow contest.
• Christmas Gifts of Hope being administered for local youth and needy families.
Brinnon & Hood Canal – Christina shared:
• Dan Ventura from Cove RV has expressed interest to replace Christiana on TCC. Bill has been in
conversation with Dan.
• Shrimpfest has rebranded as “Fjord Fest” focusing on Olympic Coastal Cuisine beyond our local
Spotted Shrimp.
• Rachel Hanson with Mason Co. has opened the “Oyster Bank” inside only Hoodsport bank,
featuring a VIC within her cafe.
Tri-Areas – Bethany shared:
• Insights of an attempted wedding scam featuring a Nigeria Princes scam attempt with a faux
band payment pass through.
• Bayside Housing having taken over the former Hadlock motel, and possible OAP tower
conversion into retail accommodations.
• NYE festivities with Buck Eller.
Chimacum – Crystie shared the following update:
• Just hanging in there through December’s weather variations. Lots of water in the Chimacum
Valley and the swans are loving it but it’s tough on those farmers.
• Chimacum just hosted a lovely craft fair weekend with events at the Chimacum Schools, the
Chimacum Grange and at Finnriver.
• We’ll be hosting our annual Fishes & Wishes all-ages dance party early on NYE.
• Otherwise just adjusting our winter menu and trying to keep things active with things like line
dancing and reading groups etc.
• Hoping to book more private holiday parties and events in the new year.
• There are still several key properties on the market in Chimacum so we’re curious about the
long-term fate of Chimacum Cafe, Keg and I, etc.
West End – Marsha and Steve reported:
Forks Chamber has a new website
Amy had shared with Steve that Olympic NP concessions seeks a return to pre-pandemic service
levels by March 2023.
Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received.
Adjournment – Bill thanked everyone for their 2022 efforts and support on behalf of Olympic
Peninsula tourism, and encouraged more of the same in 2023. Meeting adjourned at 12:12 PM
Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday January 10, 2023 – 2:00 PM hybrid – in-person at Resort at Port
Ludlow or access via Zoom.
Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively
AREA UPDATES
(Cont.)
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
ADJORN
NEXT MEETING