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Home My WebLink About050923 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.05202023 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council May 9, 2023 (DRAFT) The May 9, 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 2:18 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Diana Smeland, Bill Roney, Dan Ventura, Clone Telling, Aaron Terada, Crystie Kissler, Amy Neil Valued Partners: Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Jessie Short, Dana Petrick 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 April 11,, 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: • Continued involvement with Olympic Peninsula Tourism Strategic Management plan selected contractor and steps towards launching their assessment phase of plan. • County strategic plan will address affordable housing and short term rentals. Possible cross- over into Tourism Management plan. • 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. • TCC’s Gateway VIC operations agreement was just sent over. It’s review and refinement will be coordination between JeffCo. Administrator and Steve as TCC’s lead for process CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA COMMISSIONER REPORT Marketing Report - Steve – reviewed with TCC the following: • Month-to-date Olympic Peninsula lodging tax has increased 20% in April 2023 revenue vs. same 2022 period. Year-over-year the increase is 14%. • Yet statewide tourism has only returned to 87% of 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, with state-wide visitor expenditures just 81% of 2019’s level. This will not be greatly aided by the legislators passage of SHB 1258 with only $9M allocated for upcoming biennium vs $26M requested. • Thanks to OPTC for leading the admin of all-things WSDOT summer construction news. • Loss of Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge to fire will be felt for foreseeable future of this destination. • TCC reviewed ongoing OPTC marketing campaigns and resulting media coverage • Details of MMGY Next Factor’s upcoming Tourism Strat familiarization tour and timeline Old Business –Gateway VIC proposed operations agreement with JeffCo. has just now been received. to be received. Coordination between JeffCo. Administrator and Steve as TCC’s lead for process – with coordination of Bill and Diana – will be expedited. Preparatory work continues with target June 1 transfer of operations to TCC. New Business – TCC honored Bill Roney’s many years as Chair and his long tenure as Gateway VIC manager winding down with presentation of a mounted John Gussman photograph signed by all TCC members. TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Area Updates: Marrowstone – Aaron shared these updates: • Beach camper café, kayak concession and upper campground have all reopened for season. • Fort Flagler reported that Camp Wilson retreat center will be re-opening by this summer. • Seaweed season has been busy. Tri-Areas – Chimacum – Crystie April has been weak business wise, most likely due to weather Planning accordingly. • Seasonal food vendor offerings are built out. Lots of good foods and vendors, and live music. • Bedazzle Craft Fair will be offered for Mothers Day. • Marine Science Center collaboration for Sumer Solstice Salmon days, in June. • July 9th will welcome back the Up, Up, Up Crane Truck Circus for Interdependence Day. • New to Chimacum is the White Roses Farm • Still concerned with commercial properties in Chimacum. Goal of regional resiliency West End – Kalaloch – Amy shared updates including: • Almost ready for full summer season. • Glad to welcome new chef to Creekside Restaurant • Stairs have been repaired to beach • Whale has washed up on beach, along with plenty of juvenile eagles flying overhead. Port Ludlow - Diana shared these highlights: • Noting that weather does impact visitors to Ludlow • Fireside featuring half-price wine specials on Sundays. • Wine maker dinners in July and September have been announced • Marina Opening Days of boating season weekend of May 13. 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 visitors from all over stopping by • Landscaping underway – moles on the way out • Inside back cover of upcoming Fjord publication will feature Worthington as a wedding venue. Three weddings on the books for this summer at the Mansion • June’s Gravel Unravel bike race continues reporting excellent registrations. Brinnon & Hood Canal – Dan reported that lots is going on in Brinnon. • Good weather, lots of visitors. Good average visitor spending in gift shop as RV Cove is enjoying increased bookings and business. • N Hood Canal Chamber Vintage RV and Car Show Sat. July 30. Featuring music and vendors. With donations being raised for Brinnon Fire & Rescue. Template for future event offerings. • Hood Canal Fjord Fest’s (former ShrimpFest) is ready. No processed shrimp for sale, however plenty of shrimp and other local Fjord food offerings • Interested in possible private/public partnership for reopening Falls View Campground and other public lands. • Brinnon VIC is hiring additional staff, and may be doing the same in the Quilcene VIC location. • Gateway VIC – Bill reported reprint of 35,000 Activities map complete and beginning distribution JeffCo. country grading of the parking lot complete. Glad to see those potholes filled. • Many thanks to Port Ludlow Realtors for excellent highway trash pick-up efforts! AREA UPDATES Jefferson Chamber – TCC welcomed Dana Petrick as interim Chamber Director she shared news from her 2nd day on the job that her goal is to reconnect the full county to the Chamber, • and to get volunteers back into the Port Townsend VIC. • She is looking forward to collaboration with TCC Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received. Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:55PM Next meeting of TCC is Tuesday June 13, 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