The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutJune2023 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.06282023 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council June 13, 2023 (DRAFT) The June 13, 2023 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County, convening as a hybrid meeting - in person from the Resort at Port Ludlow, and via Zoom - was called to order at 2:04 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Diana Smeland, Bill Roney, Dan Ventura, Cleone Telling, Aaron Terada, Amy Neil, Marsha Massey Valued Partners: Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively No Public Comments received. Approval of Agenda was moved for acceptance by Cleone and seconded by Dan. ACTION Approved unanimously. Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC May 9, 2023 minutes, as well as the current TCC budget, JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Hotel Room Tax reports were approved by consent without objections. 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 has currently received 700+ responses, needs for addressing affordable housing and short-term rentals are top issues. The scale of housing need is huge. • “Community Conversations” as part of Co. Strategic Plan have started. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Link to calendar: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1144 • Additional forum for messaging is weekly County Connections show with Jim Burke on KPTZ CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA COMMISSIONER REPORT Olympic Peninsula DMO – Marsha shared the following highlights: • June’s OPTC meeting featured a salute to Bill Roney’s good work and a briefing from Olympic NP Superintendent Sula Jacobs regarding the loss of the Hurricane Ridge day lodge, and current plans for reopening. • Currently 143 MMGY NextFactor surveys have been completed, with a minimum goal of 200 for tourism management planning process. May-July will feature interviews and focus groups. • We sufficiently overwhelmed and impressed the MMGY FAM tour participants, leaving them with take-aways such as; “Ridiculously endearing coastal towns, with a unique rural vibrancy” Marketing Report - Steve – reviewed with TCC the following: • Ongoing revisions and modifications with WSDOT related to summer fish-barrier construction and efforts to mitigate impacts to Olympic Chamber Music season • Sharing the 2022 tourism stats sourced for Jefferson County by Tourism Economic and SWT (State of WA Tourism). Key included: +4.3% increase in visitor spending via +2.8% increase in visits, resulting in +19.6% visitor generated tax receipts, offsetting household tax burden by $843 in Jefferson Co. (state-wide average was $793) • May 2023 hotel/motel tax receipts $59,465 for the month. “This is 35% over budget for the month and 92.8% over budget YTD. This is 55.8% more than 2022 YTD. Year-end projection is $600k over budget” – per JeffCo. Treasurer • Collaborative OPTC and TCC independent marketing efforts were reviewed, including ongoing work on Craig Romano’s E Jefferson hiking guide, and PT Leader and PDN lodging accommodation matrix in annual visitor guides. OLYMPIC PENINSULA DMO REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT Old Business –Gateway VIC operations agreement with JeffCo. has been reached, and is now in effect. Endless thanks to Bill for his help with the many details necessary in seamlessly transiting and implementing the ongoing operations of the Gateway VIC under TCC. Insurance, bookkeeping, transfer of all monthly accounts, payroll, and - current - staffing are all in place, accepted by JeffCo., and progressing forward, with process and prospects for additional staff and replacement of Bill being explored. New Business – No TCC meetings meetings in July or August, moved by Dan, Seconded by Cleone. ACTION carried. Area Updates: Marrowstone – Aaron shared these updates: • Beach camper café, kayak concession have all reopened for season – albeit limited hours due to staffing shortages. • No Camp Wilson group rentals open this year due to construction issues with refurbished windows – new goal of spring 2024 for return of group roofed accommodations. • Exploring option of bring Rec Hall online for day-use rentals • Clamming season opens 6/15. Camping is already busy. Seasonal Park Aides have been hired. Tri-Areas – Chimacum – Crystie Invites all TCC partners over to see their new Grainery operations • Bethany shared the launch of 18 new menu items on the OAP Spirits Bistro menu, and property wide installation of new POS (Point of Sale) system. • Bayside Housing is partnering with Dove House for transitional housing at former The Starrett House Inn. West End – Kalaloch – Amy shared updates including: • Busy Memorial Day and lots of traffic next door at VIC. • Glad to welcome new chef to Creekside Restaurant. Longer summer hours (7AM-9PM) • Stairs have been repaired to beach • Marsha reported that Forks VIC had +35% increase YoY for May! Port Ludlow - Diana shared these highlights: • Hospitality grant awarded to Inn. Will provide funds for upgrades • Spark Golf league added to Port Ludlow course offerings. o June 27 – Lady’s Invitational Golf Tourney • Wine Dinners ongoing • Restoring recycling, especially glass is crucial. Commissioner Eisenhour reported that contractor currently has equipment issues. Hoping to be back online with service soon. Quilcene – Cleone shared that the Worthington House Museum / Mansion news: • 50% increase in visitors at Museum. • Great advance registration for upcoming Gravel Unravel cycle race. • Looking forward to July’s Museum board retreat at OAP. • Three weddings on summer books for Worthington House. • July 8-9 Circus and movie nights, and August 11 Tasting Gala highlights summer events. • August 14-18 Children’s Theater Day Camp, and Sept. Quilcene Fair are underway. Brinnon & Hood Canal – Dan reported that lots is going on in Brinnon. • Hood Canal Fjord Fest enjoyed great attendance. Plenty of full shrimp pots last weekend. • Geoduck Restaurant currently for sale due in part to ongoing septic permitting issues. • Printing Brinnon and Quilcene activity map • Good weather, lots of visitors. Good average visitor spending in gift shop as RV Cove is enjoying increased bookings and business. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS AREA UPDATES • Brinnon VIC is waiting on US Forest service to give word on seasonal openings of Quilcene Ranger station, and area campgrounds. • Excited by new Hood Canal dinner charters / dive outfitter www.olympicoasisdive.com • 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! Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received. Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 4:09PM Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday September 12, 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