HomeMy WebLinkAbout031014 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE OUTLINE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
DATE: March 10, 2014 START TIME: 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall, Conference Room 3
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Sandoval (Chair), Sherri Hanke, Nathan Barnett, Rob Birman, Janette Force, Denise
Winter, Dave Robison
NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Xoe Huffman (Main Street)
MEMBER(S) EXCUSED: Cindy Finnie, Sue McIntire, Will O'Donnell, Jake Beattie, Teresa Verraes
OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager David Timmons, Casey Reeter, strategic planning facilitator; Marketing Director Christina Pivarnik
and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders
Topic: Motions/Recommendation/Action Follow up
Review 2014 LTAC Marketing Timeline: Ms. Pivarnik solicited comments on the
2014 marketing timeline through year end. There was some question whether videos
could be included in the monthly emails. She announced that April 9 from 2-3:30 at
the Northwest Maritime Center is a scheduled "Accommodations" meeting hosted by
LTAC to provide lodging establishments with an overview of LTAC in a nutshell,
including economic trends, the tourism marketing plan for 2014 based upon the
strategic plan, including the digital marketing components, and an explanation of
search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can help each lodging property. Mr.
Timmons noted that in October, LTAC would review the 2015 revenue forecast (by
month) based on historical trends.
There was discussion of April LTAC agenda item suggestions: Holiday promotions,
explanation for tour operator packages and co-op advertising possibilities. Mr.
Timmons agreed to look at the City website for SEO and embedding EnjoyPT.com
onto the Visitor page. Some discussion ensued about Pinterest and Instagram and
how much social media results in actually booking accommodations. Increasing
opportunities for more nightlife was also discussed and will be revisited for 2015
planning. It was noted that the Chamber, PT Visitor Information Center and Main
Street have more flexibility than LTAC in using their funding for a nightlife campaign
or specific events.
Review of City LTAC Strategic Plan for 2014: Ms. Pivarnik reviewed strategic plan
changes based upon input from the retreat. There were no additional changes. Ms.
Reeter then talked about the need for a special work session in August to work on the
three-year action plan. She suggested that the 2014 plan be attached to the back of
each LTAC agenda as a reminder. In October, LTAC would build the 2015 plan
based on the 3-yr. plan (copies were distributed). Mr. Timmons said at that time, he
LTAC Minutes Page 1 of 2 March 10, 2014
Topic: Motions/Recommendation/Action Follow up
would also appreciate 2015 preliminary budget recommendations. There was also
discussion of action measures shown in the plan.
Mr. Robison reviewed how the $44K for PDA marketing is being used to contract with
Frause to create a strategic marketing and branding plan by May 1 st. Fort Worden
PDA will allocate more as needed. He talked about the work with HVS to develop
sales management strategies and develop a sales guide. There was interest in a
PDA update in April. There were also brief reports on this year's Steampunk festival,
Centrum marketing, and a new PT PlayFest event.
Next Meetings: Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 3 p.m. Suggested discussion topics were:
Holiday activities, PDA update, tour operators update by Sherri Hanke and
recommendations for co-op advertising in the shoulder seasons.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
LTAC Minutes Page 2 of 2 March 10, 2014