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Home My WebLink AboutOct2023 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.10302023 Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council October 10, 2023 (DRAFT) The October 10, 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 2:02 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A quorum was in attendance. Council members present: Diana Smeland, Cleone Telling, Bethany Smity, Amy Neil, Marsha Massey Valued Partners: Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Jessi Short, Dana Petrick TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively No Public Comments received. Approval of Agenda was approved with consensus. Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC September 12, 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: • Pleased to enjoy Kalaloch with recent County staff retreat. • $730,400 allocated for 2024 LTAC marketing distribution, budgeted – in part – to make up for having overspent funds in 2023. Plenty of LTAC discussions since September’s meeting, with research and possible revisions in process for the future. • Key county staff remain out, resulting in extra coverage necessitated by all. • Commissioner now staffing 30 committees. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS CONSENT AGENDA COMMISSIONER REPORT Olympic Peninsula DMO – Marsha shared the following highlights: • October OPTC meeting had both US Forrest and National Park representatives sharing news. • Hurricane Ridge will be closed October 16 – mid November for removal of fire damaged day lodge, and prepping winterized temporary restrooms for winter recreation offerings. • Forest service noted, Mt. Walker access road land slide was cleared, yet seasonal closing of road will begin early. Holiday Tree permit sales are encouraged online at www.recreation.gov/tree-permits • Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is helping celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the agency with special events through remainder of 2023. • Wrapping up MMGY NextFactor tourism management information gathering progress with four Town Hall’s hosted in September. Leadership Team will review the findings and emerging recommendations. • Fall / Winter “The Coast Is Clear” campaign launch was discussed. Marketing Report - Steve – reviewed with TCC the following: • YTD Jefferson is ahead of 2022 by more than 23.7% in lodging tax revenues. The JeffCo. Treasurer reported in August’s revenue report “Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax – Fund 125 – $606,368 YTD. This is 11.8% over budget of the month and 65.9% over budget YTD. • Olympic National Park’s $320M economic impact to regional tourism in 2022 was discussed. • Current travel sentiment trends, along with SEA record breaking summer and +3% forecast for 2024 were reviewed. • Successful navigations of area construction projects and global redefinitions of “shoulder season” travel were discussed. OLYMPIC PENINSULA DMO REPORT TCC MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT • Review of MMGY NextFactor tourism management planning progress to date. • “The Coast Is Clear” fall & winter coopt marketing campaign introduced, along with ongoing FAM tours, summer media marketing highlights and analytics from TCC’s Olympic National Parks Trips digital campaigns. Old Business – TCC requested $300,000 of LTAC in 2024, a proposed 1.69% “tread water” increase over 2023, attempting to stay even with continued inflationary increases and record tourism growth, of 223.7% over 2022. LTAC allocated $275,000. Gateway VIC was giving similar cut with $110,000 allocated to their requested $132,196 2024 budget request. Area Updates: Tri-Areas – Chimacum – Bethany shared: Old Alcohol Plant – 2023 reported record farm stand business, • Cider shuttle for guests of annual Apple & Cider Fest. • Upcoming Galla for Bayside Housing, • Hosting Halloween Trunk or Treat – still looking for hosts. Crystie supplied the following report: • Need to miss TCC to present with Jefferson Land Trust down in Lacey to the recreation & conservation office. Excited about the continued progress on the land trust project on Chimacum Ridge with the Chimacum community forest. • Big Fall events at Finnriver coming up include the apple & cider festival this weekend, including Finnriver Apple day on Sunday, which we are doing for the first time in collaboration with the production alliance. Also, a makers market and craft fair. Space twins provisions is having a pumpkin patch over at White Lotus this Sunday as well. • Additional Halloween events, and then a Dia de los Muertos event in early November. • Still hoping for more collaborative effort around December holiday events in Chimacum. Looking forward to working together on December Chimacum craft fair promotions • There’s a new WSU EXTENSION DIRECTOR named Amit Sharma, also, Nicole Witham, the general manager of the Chimacum Corner store would be a great TCC partner someday. West End – Kalaloch – Amy shared updates including: • Slowing down in business and special events. • Delaware North’s concession bid has been extended three-years to allow time for assessment of business plans related to bluff cabins; • Plenty of rain currently falling! • Marsha reported that Forks is reporting third best year ever in visitor center numbers Port Ludlow - Diana shared these highlights: • Mon – Thur. Fireside 3-course Farm Dinner specials are being featured; • October 26 Cellar Masters Dinner with sommelier Andrew sharing lots of insights! • November 11, “Blue Moon” is featured Port Ludlow Players production Quilcene – Cleone shared that the Worthington House Museum / Mansion news: • Oyster race at Worthington House was a big success, with 300 participants. • Worthington House lodging rates are being reviewed. • Scarecrow decorating event will return with “Witchy” themed flare Port Townsend Marketing – Dana reported PT VIC is starting to slow, 30-40 daily visitors during peak summer to 3-12 currently. MARKETING COORDINATORS REPORT (Cont) AREA UPDATES AREA UPDATES (Cont.) • Kerney roundabout construction hasn’t hurt business • Working with Main Street and City of PT on tourism promotions. • Looking for meet and greet with accommodations in early November • Save the date for Gala Masquerade, a Black-Tie formal November 18, 5-9PM at Old Alcohol Plant. Gateway VIC – Steve reported ongoing developments with Sherry and team, • Focused on coordinating health and safety work with limited staff at County. • Staff is analyzing visitor counts at other VIC’s and current traffic patterns as we look a possible shift in seasonal hours of operation. SWT – Marsha shared the upcoming State of Washington Tourism Conference and Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit, October 24-26, Yakima. • State events calendar offering, lead to discussion of challenges in coordinating and curating a value added visitor events calendar for state, Olympic Peninsula or elsewhere. Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received. Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:49PM Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday November 14, 2023 – 2:00 PM hybrid – in-person from Port Ludlow or via Zoom access. Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively PUBLIC COMMENTS ADJORN NEXT MEETING