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Home My WebLink AboutMay2023 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.04202023 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council April 11, 2023 (DRAFT) The April 11, 2023 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, convening a hybrid meeting - in person from the Resort at Port Ludlow, and via Zoom - was called to order at 2:01 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Diana Smeland, Bill Roney, Dan Ventura, Clone Telling, Aaron Terada, Marsha Massey, Crystie Kissler, Amy Neil, Bethany Smith Valued Partners: Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Jessie Short TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively No Public Comments received. Approval of Agenda was moved for acceptance by Marsha and seconded by Amy. Approved unanimously. Consent Agenda The TCC March 14, 2023 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 Eisenhour, shared the following: • Involved with interviewing Olympic Peninsula Tourism Strategic Sustainability finalists and getting work underway. • WSDOT and HCB (Hood Canal Bridge) changes in construction scheduling, feeling good with current schedule, still needing WSDOT’s assistance with joint emergency management planning and traffic control over Mt. Walker, especially during HCB closures. • Gateway VIC proposed operations agreement is being written up by JeffCo. Administrator for TCC’s review and approval CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA COMMISSIONER REPORT OPTC Highlights – Marsha shared the following: • Agreed with Commissioner Eisenhour that the HCB dates released by WSDOT are welcome news. OPTC’s marketing group will gather and determine if “One More Day” theme is still needed over this summer. • Revel of MMGY Next Factor as the chosen contractor for the Olympic Peninsula tourism strategic plan. Heidi and Steve were part of selection team and will continue with project. MMGY will schedule a mid May FAM tour and launch. The search team valued their approach to DEI initiatives and their demonstrated capacity of being good listeners. Marketing Report - Steve – reviewed with TCC the following: • Steve echoed Heidi and Marsha’s combined joy and puzzlement with the WSDOT pivot regarding HCB construction dates. Likening it to an endless game of “whack a mole”. CURRENT HCB closure dates are 10PM Saturday – 10AM Sunday, and 110PM-4AM Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting May 10, skipping Memorial Day weekend, and restarting June 10 and June 17… clear as mud? TCC will link with OPTC on a centralized source for construction info. • TCC reviewed ongoing OPTC marketing campaigns and resulting media coverage • Additional details of MMGY Next Factor being selected as the Tourism Strat plan vendor. • Updated TCC on progress with Craig Romano hiking trails project, and North American TALK articles being cross-posted to TREAD Map app. Old Business –Gateway VIC proposed operations agreement with JeffCo. has yet to be received. Preliminary work continues, as able. With target June 1 transfer of operations to TCC. OPTC REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT OLD BUSINESS New Business – “Marsha and Steve lead TCC on a “One More Day” campaign discussion / workshop. Pros and Cons discussed. No Actions taken. Celebrating our abundance of activity options, encourages vistors to spend “One more day” in order to: • Do the Hoh Rain Forest, • Get over to Victoria BC on the Black Ball ferry, • Summit and hike Hurricane Ridge, • Take a Whale Watching day-trip on PS Express • Travel out to La Push or Neah Bay • Etc. Amy mentioned the regular misperception on social media forums from visitors taking off too big of a bite of Olympic Peninsula destinations with only one or two days allocated. Adding “One More Day” to many itineraries would back all the difference. Diana is in favor of promoting increased mid-week stays. Area Updates: Marrowstone – Aaron shared these updates: • Fort Flagler reported that Camp Wilson retreat center will be re-opening by this summer. • On seasonal advance reservations for camping, resulting in busy during spring break. Big turn out for Easter egg hunt sponsored by dedicated Friends group. Tri-Areas – Chimacum – Crystie It is Earth month at Finnriver. Featuring a series of events, a reusable goods swap and a new events landing pages with dedicated sub-domains. • Getting ready for summer – with hours including Monday openings and and invited to locals to bring your own food Wednesdays. • July 9th will welcome back the Crane Truck Circus for Interdependence Day. • Chimacum Valley Grainery – is producing wholesale baguettes, grown, milled, processing and baked at the – home farm factory before being walking across the road to be sold. YUM! • New to Chimacum is the White Roses Farm • Still concerned with commercial properties in Chimacum. Goal of regional resiliency Bethany reported that Old Alcohol Plant hosted a great Easter. • Garden tours and dinner series – held the last Wednesday of each month are filling fast. • New garden greenhouse has been opened. • No corkage fees for local wine special are popular. • Still looking for staff at Spirits in order to be able to offer lunch service. West End – Kalaloch – Amy shared updates including: • Ramping up for spring and full summer season. • Stairs repair, and restoring beach access are still awaiting corporative tides and weather. • Earth Day celebrations – and Coastal Beach Clean-up. BBQ for approximately 100 volunteers. • Tsunami evacuation training for Kalaloch Lodge and campground was just completed. • Breakfast, Lunch and dinner will be available. Welcoming new chef to Creekside next week! Port Ludlow - Diana shared these highlights: • Easter brunch went well. • Prime Rib night, Daily happy hours and Wednesday featured Farm Dinners will all be highlighted at the Fireside. • The Port Ludlow Village Players will be presenting play – NIGHT WATCH • Finnriver cider maker dinner is selling well. Still a few seats remain. • Annual Marina swap on April 29th is lead in to May 13 Opening Day of boating season. NEW BUSINESS AREA UPDATES • New tee-signs for golf course are going in. Golf course will auction off historic old signs with proceeds going to the Dove House Quilcene – Cleone shared that the Worthington House Museum / Mansion is shifting 2023 onto the Museum focus. Busy with museum trainings and reopening process.. • Lots of cleaning up and refreshed exhibits. • Two new board members welcomed. Sad to see Tom and Cass Brotherton moving to Tacoma. They leave big shoes to fill as volunteers extraordinaire. • Three weddings on the books for this summer at the Mansion • June’s Gravel Unravel bike race is reporting excellent registrations. Brinnon & Hood Canal – Dan reported that lots is going on in Brinnon. • Community engagement has increased. N. Hood Canal Chamber is growing. • N Hood Canal Chamber is in the permitting process for a Vintage RV and Car Show Sat. July 30. Featuring music and vendors. With donations being raised for Brinnon Fire & Rescue. • His RV Cove is enjoying increased bookings and business. • Shrimping days have been announced. Will have to see if they will help with the Hood Canal Fjord Fest’s growth from its former ShrimpFest Daze. • Brinnon VIC is hiring additional staff, and may be doing the same in the Quilcene VIC location. Gateway VIC – Bill reported on progress towards reprint of Activities map; + listings to lodging matrix. The completed map will be delivered to the Printery for a 35,000 piece run. • JeffCo. country works have surveyed the grading of the parking lot project. Looking forward to seeing those potholes filled. SWT (State of WA Tourism) – Marsha updated TCC on current funding of SHB1258, • SWT has announced October 24-26 for the next State Tourism conference, to be held in Yakima. • Other “Save The Dates” include: April 27 workforce recruitment webinar Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received. Adjournment – moved by Dan, Seconded by Bill. TCC meeting adjourned at 3:53PM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday May 9, 2023 – 2:00 PM hybrid – in-person from Port Ludlow or access via Zoom. Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively AREA UPDATES (Cont.) PUBLIC COMMENTS ADJORN NEXT MEETING