HomeMy WebLinkAbout071211 DRAFT LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE OUTLINE MINUTES
DATE: July 12, 2011 START TIME: 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall Conference Room 3
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: George Randels (Chair), John MacElwee, Steve Shively, Sue McIntire, Cindy Finnie, Sherri
Hanke, Dave Robison, John Eissinger, Will O'Donnell
NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Cole (Main Street), Teresa Verraes (Chamber), Bill Roney, OPTC
MEMBER(S) EXCUSED: None MEMBER(S) ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Marketing Contractor Christina Pivarnik, City Manager David Timmons, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders
Topic Motions/Recommendation/Action Follow up
Approval of Minutes: April 12, 2011 Unanimous approval of minutes as
written.
Chair Update: Mr. Randels reported on the following: Christina Pivarnik's nomination as a
member to the Washington Tourism Alliance board of directors; Seattle Times article about
the Salish ferry; LTAC receipts reflect good performance.
Update from David Timmons: The report included the following: Waterfront/Civic District
project update (demolition of Tidal Clock in September; downtown sidewalk to be finished in
February; tunnel lids project); the budget outlook is for sustained sales and lodging
revenues; 2012 budget impacts due to decrease in real estate excise tax; new special
purpose fire levy approved by Council; legislative support for renovation of Fort Worden
Building 202; suggestion to develop an economic strategy based on hosting symposiums;
working on a new procedure to measure the value of events receiving City support and
asking for in-kind contribution of volunteer hours in the City; overnight guests expected
during Sept. 16-18 Elwha Dam celebration.
Second Quarter Review: Christina Pivarnik reported on the following: the Salish launch;
Washington State Ferry advertising (15 foot mural on the Chetzemoka and accompanying
2'x2' ads); web and video updates (Champion documercials/videos and conferences);
coordination with Keven Eiliff on website updates; Wayfinding project (circulated to LTAC
was a preliminary/conceptual design by the consultants); reworking the City logo/City seal.
Ms. Pivarnik also reported on the following:
PT Meetings and Conferences: More properties are being added to Webervations and she
proposed expansion to the County.
WTA Update: Fundraising to date—$350,000. Efforts are underway to find an Interim
Director. Diane Schostak of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau is also applying for a
position on the V\/TA board of directors.
Brochures on ferries: Ms. Pivarnik solicited input on advertising with brochures on ferries—
pricing for last six months of 2011 would be $1,180. Following a brief discussion, there was
support.
LTAC Minutes Page 1 of 2 July 12, 2011
Topic Motions/Recommendation/Action Follow up
Fall Advertising: Ms. Pivarnik solicited input on publications on which to focus. Responses
were: Travel Leisure, Bon Appetit, Group West, Budget Traveler, and Travel Monthly. She
noted several of these were beyond our budgetary means, but would be good to pitch
stories to about Port Townsend.
Discussion topic: Will O'Donnell announced the receipt of the Farmer's Market of the Year
award. It was suggested that this announcement be posted on the website. Ms. Pivarnik
solicited ideas for other awards for which to apply.
General Reports & Updates:
Olympic Culinary Loop (Steve Shively): Good turnout for Northwest Cider event. Ms.
Pivarnik reported on efforts to increase Jefferson County memberships. She also
announced the October 19 Tourism Summit at Fort Worden Commons.
Chamber(Teresa Verraes): Memberships are up with the focus on member needs, test lab
to solicit growth on young professional network; holding educational workshops; the After
Hours event is the second Tuesday of each month; a new Chamber directory was
distributed.
Main Street (Mark Cole): Merchant breakfast had 60+ attendees; support for on-line
building inventory; working with the Community Foundation on making empty building
spaces more attractive; Concerts on the Dock are scheduled.
Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission (OPTC) (Christina Pivarnik): Good tourism
campaign for British Columbia.
Tourism Coordinating Council (Bill Roney): The spring campaign is winding down (radio-
based advertising, giveaways, feedback advertising and mixed media); TCC will join the
V\/TA; the activities map is being used for fulfillment (copies were distributed); a new
brochure is in progress; good numbers on Canadian visitors; the new bicycle map will go to
print this week; see website for updates.
New Business: There was some discussion of the analytics. Sherri Hanke reported having
sold $1 K Groupon tickets (700 in June). Steve Shively reported new taxing on international
travel. The July 1 Discover pass is in process. Port Townsend is in the top 3 for sales. John
MacElwee reported on good participation for Centrum events, attendance is down slightly;
reviewed upcoming events.
Next Meeting: October 11, 2011 Meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
Mr. Timmons to report how City
B&O and sales tax sections are
performing.
LTAC Minutes Page 2 of 2 July 12, 2011