HomeMy WebLinkAbout051624M TCC Meeting Minutes DRAFT v.05162024
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of Meeting of the Coordinating Council
May 14, 2024 (DRAFT)
The May 14, 2024 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County,
convening as a hybrid meeting - was called to order at 2:03 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A
quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Diana Smeland (chair), Bethany Smith, Crystie Kisler, Marsha Masey,
Dan Ventura, Aaron Terada, Cleone Telling
Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Jessie Short
TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively
Excused: Amy Neil
No Public Comments received
Approval of Agenda was approved with consensus. Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC April 16,
2024 Special Meeting minutes, as well as the current TCC budget, and JeffCo. Hotel Room Tax
budget reports were all approved by consent without objections. Approved.
Commissioner’s Report – Commissioner Greg Brotherton reported that LTAC will not have a
supplemental budget cycle for 2024. He discussed the budget recommendations for 2025, which
include the allocation of funds for the TCC and various visitor centers. He also suggested
disbanding the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC).
The discussion highlighted concerns about the complexity of marketing and the lack of an
established Public Facilities District (PFD) or an expanded Olympic Peninsula Tourism Council
(OPTC) for the area. Commissioner Brotherton envisions a PFD managing tourism-centric facilities,
such as visitor information centers, county campgrounds, and a future aquatics center. Based on
the recommendations of the 5-year tourism master plan, Commissioner Brotherton sees potential
of an expanded OPTC taking over TCC's role in comprehensively marketing Jefferson County.
Commissioner Brotherton will analyze past lodging tax revenues to determine if there is a
correlation between advertising and increased tourism lodging activity.
The TCC discussion also included encouragement for understanding how tourism marketing
actually operates. Questions were raised about whether LTAC funds currently allocated to TCC
should be redirected entirely to OPTC to carry out TCC’s work. TCC members questioned
Commissioner Brotherton’s premise that supervision of those additional funds would be more
effective under OPTC compared to the current oversight provided by TCC.
OPTC Report – Marsha provided updates from the recent OPTC meeting, covering several key
topics. These included developments on public lands, the National Coast Marine Sanctuary's 30th
anniversary celebration, and the closure of the Port Townsend VIC and Jefferson Co. Chamber of
Commerce. She also shared updates from the Culinary Loop and the State of Washington Tourism's
current grant programs.
Additionally, Marsha reported representing the Olympic Peninsula on behalf of WA State Tourism
at IPW last week. This trade show featured 6,500 participants, with buyers from all over the world
and sellers representing travel services or products in the US.
Marketing Report - Steve – Steve Shively provided TCC with updates on several topics, including
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the LTAC meeting, Public Facilities Districts, the cruise season, Seattle concierge promotions and
market, FAM tours, and newsletter responses.
He also discussed the upcoming closure of the Gateway Visitor Center due to construction on SR19
at Highway 104, detailing the construction schedule and its impact on visitor services. Dan Ventura
expressed interest in the functional and logistical aspects of concierge commissions, such as how
they are advertised, paid, and tracked, following Steve's report on the successful exhibitor
experience at the recent Seattle Concierge Conference. TCC explored the potential for creating a
pathway to engage local businesses at that level and considered the idea of a shared marketing
campaign to boost tourism in Jefferson County.
Steve highlighted consumer travel articles generated from FAM tours hosted by TCC and reviewed
analytics from digital ads placed over the past month on various Meta platforms, targeting
audiences in California, Texas, Florida, and other popular domestic markets for Washington
tourism.
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Old Business – Follow-up on interest in capitalizing on Hood Canal (aka “Magic Bridge”) and
potential opportunity to install a sign on Paradise Bay-SR 104 roundabout that says, “welcome” to
the Olympic Peninsula, akin to the roundabout from Bainbridge to Poulsbo approaching the Agate
Pass Bridge.
New Business – JeffCo. LTAC desires to have a joint meeting with TCC and OPTC. Commissioner
Brotherton will attempt to schedule it, possibly related to TCC’s calendared June 11 meeting.
Area Updates:
Tri-Areas – Marrowstone – Aaron reported that it's been quite busy at Fort Flagler lately,
especially with the northern lights drawing many visitors to the park over a couple of days,
welcoming about 50 cars over two nights.
Progressing with campground improvements while still navigating the permitting process for the
Fort’s welcome station and campground realignment. August looks to be busy with some road
closures within the Park for construction.
Additionally, work continues on upgrading the hospital facility for rental use, dealing with hot
water issues due to a historic boiler burning out. The rec hall is popular for group events and
weddings, and we're seeing new groups using it. However, our large retreat center remains closed.
The theater refurbishment, funded by the supplemental budget, is going well, and we're hoping to
again use it as a rental venue soon.
In terms of accommodations, only the five vacation houses (old officers' houses) are open, with no
overnight rooms available in other buildings.
Regarding the Nordland store reopening, the community response has been positive. There's a soft
opening next weekend, with a full opening on Memorial Day weekend. However, there have been
some issues with food delivery to the store.
Bethany shared – Old Alcohol Plant had some last-minute bookings for the northern light viewers,
with plenty of people coming out both nights. Gearing up for summer hiring and have brought on a
new line cook and some servers. The first big wedding of the season was in early May, and it went
smoothly, exciting the staff.
The farm stand is currently inside the lobby due to an electrical issue, but it will be moved back
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outside once the issue is fixed. We have an abundance of greens available, so please help
yourselves to some salad mix.
We've started running an open mic comedy night on Fridays, which has been popular. Visitors have
been enjoying dinner and the show.
Lastly, our team member Heather is running for Dist. 1 commissioner position. We're excited about
her opportunity to represent housing at the county level, which will benefit our community.
Chimacum – Crystie reported that things are definitely picking up at Finnriver as preparations are
underway for Memorial Day weekend and summer events. Weather impacts success, but we're
optimistic. Upcoming events include Solstice Salmon Days in June and Interdependence Day on
July 14th in Chimacum. We also have various private bookings and major summer events including
the Crane Truck Circus, String and Shadow Puppet Theater, and Plays in the Orchard.
On a personal note, Crystie’s husband Keith is fulfilling his dream of brewing his own beer in
Chimacum, and Finnriver figures out how to market and sell it.
Exciting local updates include meeting the new owners of Ajax and Quillbillies restaurant and
hearing about the new Moon Cafe opening where the Metro Bagel shop was.
Lastly, I appreciate Steve's consistent knowledge and updates on Jefferson County tourism,
providing a reliable resource for what's happening in the area.
Quilcene – Cleone reports that Sasquash is coming to Quilcene, in the former Loggers Landing
location, with a small café on one side and a store for Sasquash memorabilia and oddities on the
other.
The Worthington House has five weddings scheduled this summer and additional bookings for
summer-2025. In May, film students from Vermont stayed at the house for a film project.
Upcoming events include:
• Bon Joh Pass Out Bike Race on June 15th
• Community Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration
• Acrobatic Circus on July 27th
• Victorian wine tasting on August 9th
The museum has been organized and cleaned, with new exhibits including a transportation exhibit
and a display on the Mun family from Eagle City, featuring artifacts and pictures from descendants.
Brinnon – Dan Reports that the season has started early this year, with a significant influx of
visitors for Mother's Day. Whitney Gardens was packed, and parking extended to near Highway
101. The state campground also was booked. However, many visitors expected Collins
Campground and Seal Rock to be open, as they usually are from May through October.
Fjord Fest is coming up for Memorial Day, featuring shrimp, which may reignite the debate over
whether it should be called Shrimp Fest. The festival is expected to be well-attended. Diana noted
that the Resort at Port Ludlow will be offering a Fjord Fest themed cooking class on May 25 to
coincide with event.
Local businesses are also bustling. The Brinnon General Store has been repainted, has a new sign,
and will have a coffee truck. The Halfway House is undergoing renovations, including new siding,
paint, and decking.
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Despite some roadwork on Center Road, which caused minor delays, it hasn't significantly
impacted travel. The roadwork has been managed well, with minimal inconvenience to locals and
tourists.
West End – Forks – Marsha shared that the West End is busy, The Hoh Forest is already busy. Lots
of great photos showing up with the northern lights event, including some that Amy posted with
the Tree of Life still hanging on.
Gateway VIC - Steve updated TCC that the Gateway VIC is undergoing painting, but the project
encountered higher-than-expected costs. Tracy and her team from JeffCo. Central Services sought
additional funds from LTAC but were instead instructed to patch the damage. After power
washing, further damages were discovered, requiring more extensive repairs. The painting color
has been selected, and efforts are ongoing.
Additionally, the BoCC secured funding and approved a contract for EV chargers. With increasing
visitor traffic, hours have been extended on Saturdays, starting in May, to accommodate the influx
of visitors and handle the increased number of inquiries and requests for information about Port
Townsend.
Port Ludlow – Diana shared The Inn has launched its Wednesday night farm dinners, featuring
weekly menu changes based on available produce. They have also updated their happy hour menu,
available Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.
Upcoming events include a seafood cooking class on May 25, coinciding with Fjord Fest, and a sold-
out Cellar Mastery wine dinner on May 30, with another wine dinner with in June.
To help boost tourism during slower months, the Inn has reintroduce cooking classes and
additional wine dinners. They have also partnered with Spark Golf, a nine-hole golf league meeting
on Thursdays at 5 PM, open to all participants. Additionally, the Inn is working on signage to attract
traffic during roundabout construction and enhance local interest in the Ludlow Village offerings.
Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received.
Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 4:03 PM
Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday June 11, 2024 – 2:00 PM scheduled as a hybrid – in-person
from Port Ludlow or via Zoom access.
Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively
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