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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/02/06 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Commissioners' Chambers 411 North 5T" Street, Shelton, WA 98584 Wednesday, February 6, 2019 9 : 00 a . m . Members in Attendance : Chair Sharon Trask, Nathan Welch , Duane Wilson , Stephanie Rowland , Shaun Tucker . Absent : Heidi McCutcheon . Also in attendance was Rachel Hansen . Chair Trask called the meeting to order at 9 : 07 a . m . December 4, 2018 meeting minutes Shaun/ Nathan moved and seconded to approve the December 4, 2018 meeting minutes . Motion carried . 2018 4th Quarter Reports from North Mason Chamber of Commerce ; Shelton Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Event Organizers Stephanie Rowland presented the 4th quarter report for the North Mason Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center which includes locations in Belfair and Union . Lisa Perry, representing Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce, presented the 4th quarter report for the Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce which includes locations in Shelton and Hoodsport . There was a moderate increase in phone calls partly due to the presence of the forest service rangers in the Hoodsport office and interest in the annual Christmas tree passes . Shaun Tucker asked why the visitor downturn in December at the Hoodsport location . Lisa reported there was a lack of heat at the visitor center in December . Rachel Hansen , NEO, presented the 4th quarter report for the Tourism Development contract . Shaun brought up the concept of marketing positive messages about Mason County when negative news is broadcast . Rachel reviewed the Department of Revenue lodging tax report . Lodging tax increased in 2018 and January 2019 is also showing an increase over January 2018 . Rachel then reviewed the website and the social media outlets she uses which include Facebook, Instagram and Twitter . There has been an increase in the visitors . Blogs and videos continue to be popular. Rachel 's focused on marketing in the last quarter of the year since that is when the lodging establishments have lower occupancy . There were three campaigns with Scenic Washington . Discussion of the age group to market and Shaun pointed out that although the millennials may have less money to spend on tourism , it's important to include that age group for the long term strategy . Also included on the website is a pocket visitor guide . In 2019 she will focus on creating itineraries of the entire area and include surrounding counties, to attract people from outside Washington ; she will attend several travel and adventure shows and she has a contract with Scenic Washington . Review of Proposals for Enhanced 2019 Visitor Information Services Stephanie reviewed the awards to the North Mason Chamber in the past. For 2018 she requested $40, 700 ; was awarded $ 33 , 400 and for 2019, $ 33, 400 was also awarded and the RFP for enhanced Visitor Information Services was issued . Stephanie's proposal includes providing Page 1 Lodging Tax Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 6 , 2019 four 2 - hour customer service training for Mason County businesses; reprint of the Mason County padded map ; and expand staff hours at the Union VIC — add 12 to 5 p . m . on Fridays from Memorial Day through Halloween . The North Mason Chamber's total request is $ 7 , 618 . Lisa Perry presented the request from the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce . The Chamber is committed to the Hoodsport VIC, the Forest Service has committed a wilderness Ranger to be present during summer months . The proposal includes the following at the Hoodsport VIC : restoration of the highly detailed topographical map of the Olympic Peninsula ; create a Wi -Fi Hotspot; create welcoming signage and directional street signage in multiple languages; increase training of the volunteers for familiarization with area parks and attractions, lodging , area restaurants and recreational activities as well as required permits and passes . The Shelton Chamber's request is $ 18, 715 . Duane pointed out the total amount to award is $ 19 , 800 and the Shelton Chamber's request is for almost the entire amount. Lisa stated the Chamber is committed to making capital improvements at the Hoodsport VIC and welcome any amount of lodging tax . Steve Shively presented the request from the Olympic Culinary Loop for a total amount of $ 3, 500 which includes print, digital and beyond promotions of Mason County as a gateway to the Olympic Culinary Loop with special emphasis of member lodging, restaurants, activities and producers . The Olympic Culinary Loop is a collaborative effort to tie together the four counties — Jefferson , Clallam , Grays Harbor and Mason County . This request would purchase '/2 panel Mason County ad in the 2019-2020 edition of the Culinary Loop Map . LTAC members reviewed the Olympic Culinary Loop map . Stephanie commented they direct visitors to the ExploreHoodCanal . com website which includes restaurants . Duane stated if LTAC were to purchase the $ 3 , 500 ad he would want to see all Mason County restaurants advertised . Although it's a great idea , he's not sure if LTAC should support this request . Nathan stated he believes it's wiser to focus on marketing 4th quarter tourism in Mason County . Shaun stated the map is focused on the area between Port Angeles and Port Townsend . Not sure if it's best to spend Mason County dollars on this map . Duane/Nathan moved and seconded to recommend the Commissioners award $12, 600 to the Shelton Chamber of Commerce and $'7,200 to the North Mason Chamber of Commerce for 2019 enhanced visitor information services. Motion carried. Sharon, Duane and Nathan — aye; Recuse — Shaun (on Chamber Board) and Stephanie (North Mason Chamber of Commerce). This will be briefed on Monday to Commissioners . There was no public comment . Calendar — next meeting in April for quarterly reports ; make recommendations for 2020 services . There was discussion of distribution of lodging tax to VIC's and general marketing and how to pull in visitors in the winter months . LTAC's focus is to change the marketing of Mason County and incorporate social media . LTAC Page 12 Lodging Tax Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 6 , 2019 Shaun recommended expanding LTAC membership . The meeting adjourned at 11 : 20 a . m . LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON ATTEST : ) r l- LTAC Clerk Chair LTAC Page 13