HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/07/18 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Commissioners' Chambers
411 North 5T" Street, Shelton, WA 98584
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 2 : 00 p . m .
Members in Attendance : Chair Terri Drexler, Nathan Welch , Duane Wilson , Stephanie Rowland ,
Heidi McCutcheon and Shaun Tucker . Also in attendance was Rachel Hansen . Absent : Kelly Bergh
Chair Drexler called the meeting to order at 2 : 01 p . m .
Approval of the April 18, 2018 meeting minutes
Heidi/ Nathan moved and seconded to approve the April 18, 2018 meeting minutes . Motion
carried .
2"d Quarter Reports
Shelton/ Mason County Chamber of Commerce- Heidi McCutcheon handed out her 2nd Quarter
Report . The Blues & Brews event on June 16 was very successful and they sold 1 , 200 wrist
bands and plan to hold the event again next year .
Wildnerness Permits can now be issued by the Forest Service from the Hoodsport VIC and that
has increased visitors . The only other location for these permits on the Olympic Peninsula is in
Quilcene . Phone calls have increased and website calendar is a popular page . No lodging tax
dollars are paid to the Blue & Brews event or the Bight Magazine — they are sponsored by the
Chamber .
North Mason Chamber of Commerce — Stephanie Rowland presented her 2�d Quarter Report .
Stephanie recognized the importance of a personal touch . The Union VIC is staffed on only
Friday and Saturday but is open every day .
Northwest Event Organizers- Rachel Hansen presented a PowerPoint for her 2nd Quarter Report
that included website stats . Rachel has participated in several local festivals and continues to
find new avenues to promote Mason County . Department of Revenue has not posted current
lodging tax revenues . There are videos on many of the landing pages and a lot of blogs and
working with the various festivals .
Shaun asked how Rachel measures her return on investment and asked if promoting small events
is worth the time and effort . Rachel stated it is worth her effort because it develops relationships
with the vendors and helps to make a successful event for the attendees . She can then use the
materials again and develop strategies for future events .
The Tygart Media Campaign was discussed which specifically targets Page Engagement, Look
Alike and Air BNB audiences . Will explained how targeting the Air BNB audiences support
tourism in Mason County .
Rachel had a booth at the Travelers 5 . 5K Run Walk; Hama Hama Oyster Rama , Bluegrass from
the Forest, Blues & Brews and Fjordin Crossin . She is working on the Shellfish Trail project for an
off-season attraction and plans to attend events in Seattle and Portland and requested to attend
an event in San Francisco in March 2019 .
Shaun stated he supports Rachel attending out of area events if she believes it makes sense to
fulfill the contract . Rachel did include the outreach costs in her contract . The other LTAC
members also voiced support of the outreach efforts .
Lodging Tax Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2018
Other Business — Kelly Bergh has accepted a position in Mason County so we need to recruit a
new generator member .
Cmmr . Drexler reported that EDC will do a market study for a hotelier and a potential location is
on property that Mason County is surplussing at the corner of Highway 101/ Highway 102 .
Cmmr . Drexler stated she is in charge of RV's at Oysterfest and would like to hand out something
to the attendees promoting area businesses .
Discussion of Cmmr . Drexler's replacement on the LTAC .
Public Comment - none
Calendar — next meeting for 3d quarter reports will be scheduled in October .
The meeting adjourned at 320 p . m .
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST .
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LTA rk Cmmr . Terri Drexle , Chair
LTAC Page 2