HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov2023 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.11302023
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
November 14, 2023 (DRAFT)
The November 14, 2023 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County,
convening as a Zoom meeting- was called to order at 2:02 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A
quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Diana Smeland, Dan Ventura, Crystie Kisler, Bethany Smith, Amy Neil
Valued Partners: Dana Petrick
TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively
No Public Comments received.
Approval of Agenda was approved with consensus.
Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC October 10, 2023 minutes, as well as the current TCC budget,
JeffCo. and Olympic Peninsula Hotel Room Tax reports were approved by consent without
objections.
Marketing Report - Steve – reviewed with TCC the following:
• Hurricane Ridge remains closed thru mid November for removal of fire damaged day lodge,
and prepping winterized temporary restrooms for winter recreation offerings.
• Shellfish and Short Term Rentals (think Airbnb) are making headlines.
• State of WA Tourism conference – Yakima, October 24 – 26, 2023 was a success. Save the date
October 7-9 in Vancouver, WA.
• Update of ongoing Olympic Peninsula Tourism Strategic Plan assessment shared. Preliminary
key takeaways include considerations for expanded Culinary Loop product and partner
collaborations.
• 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.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CONSENT
AGENDA
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
New Business – 2024 Budget TCC allocated 2024 $275,000 budget (of $300,000 proposed) was
adopted by consensus, with hope that LTAC will recommend supplemental budgeting in light of
JeffCo. Budget Committee currently forecasting year-end projection for Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax
will be $365k over budget...
Gateway VIC was giving similar cut with $110,000 allocated to their requested $132,196 2024
budget request.
Diana sent Marketing Coordinators 2024 MOU to TCC Council members with goal of taking action
in December on agreement.
Area Updates:
Tri-Areas – Chimacum – Bethany shared: Old Alcohol Plant – 2023 reported record farm stand
business,
• Over 140,000 raised for Bayside at recent Gala
• Thanksgiving dinner coming up.
• Chamber’s Gala and holiday happenings.
• Hosting Halloween Trunk or Treat – still looking for hosts.
NEW BUSINESS
AREA UPDATES
Crystie supplied the following report:
• Seasonal down turn. Labor is most challenging esp. navigating benefits and revenue.
• Events – Finnriver, community bowls with funds for Namoi – Long house for the people,
montly Patron support
• Reusable Good Swap – care of Public Works has grant for Laura Tucker.
• Life in Chimacum – Corner store – Olympic Housing Colition. affordable Housing. purchase -=
Walter Hanson, purchased Chimacum Café, local farmer purchased
• “Community Bowls” Thanksgiving Weekend, supporting Nionima’s Longhouse for the People
and Olympic Neighbors projects
West End – Kalaloch – Amy – Kalaloch – Sunny today, big tides starting to come in. Less people on
beach. Seasonal staff are gone
• Upcoming Thanksgiving dinner – new chef is great, his new menu is getting rave reviews.
• And the best news is that Amy is staying at Kalaloch!
Port Ludlow - Diana shared these highlights:
• Fireside 11/23 Thanksgiving Dinner
• Dec. Prime Rib Specials returning Sunday’s at the Fireside Restaurant
• Dec. 1 tours NW School Wooden Boat Buildings
• Port Ludlow Performing Arts concert coming up Dec. 10
• 3rd annual village tree lighting, featuring more lights, bigger tree! Craft sales Dec. 2nd no cost
for vendor tables, with Santa at 5PM.
Brinnon – Dan shared that the rash of area thefts, including postal, residential and retail, have lead
to a public meeting at Camp Parsons County leadership and area public safety and emergency
service leadership. Hoping that the outcome will be improved communication towards solutions.
• New ownership Halfway House. New Pleasant Harbor Galley Pub too!
• Forest Service buying project. Sala, cones and other décor items and fungi harvesting are boom
or bust
Port Townsend Marketing – Dana reported 1st Masquerade gala at Old Alcohol Plant. Sales are
good. Prime Rib, Halibut, Chef Troys for Egg Plant Parmesan. – Grow seed grants
Electric car at PT VIC JeffCo. Transit with have battery powered bus, ribbon cutting 12/6 at Haines
Place
Working with Main Street and OPTC on winter campaigns.
Kudos to Dan for spearheading the community safety meeting as recent thefts extend into Port
Ludlow, Hadlock. Hoping to have the Brinnon safety meeting extended to elsewhere into county
Gateway VIC – Steve reported ongoing developments with Sherry and team,
• Holiday potluck, 12/9 @4:30, $5 White Elephant Gift exchange, Potluck. RSVP to Sherry (360)
437-0120
• 501 c 3 app. submitted.
• Winter hours at VIC Tues – Sat. 10-4, Sherry and team are doing a great job.
• Fire Marshall upgrades all completed with assistance from JeffCo.
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.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
ADJORN
NEXT MEETING
Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:49PM
Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday November 14, 2023 – 2:00 PM scheduled as a hybrid – in-
person from Port Ludlow or via Zoom access.
Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively