HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/10/19 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
411 North 5t" Street, Shelton , WA 98584
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 9 :00 a . m .
Members in attendance via Zoom : Chair Sharon Trask, Shaun Tucker, Deidre Peterson, Pam Volz, Greg
Oldham and Duane Wilson . Also in attendance was Liz Arbaugh and Rachel Hansen .
Chair Trask called the meeting to order at 9 : 02 a . m .
Approval of Minutes
Deidre/Duane moved and seconded to approve the July 20, 2022 minutes. Motion carried.
2022 3rd Quarter Reports
Northwest Event Organizers, Tourism Development — Rachel Hansen presented the 2022 3rd Quarter
Report . Lodging tax revenue increased in September; visits to the Explorehoodcanal . com website have
increased , including direct traffic; Rachel has added content and increased the quality of the content on
the website and included information on all events in Mason County . Oysterfest was the big fall event
and she did all the marketing . Hoodsport continues to be a big draw and she is working with local
groups to hold events during the holidays to increase overnight stays . Rachel also worked with Allyn
Days and Vance Creek Rail Riders . A big resource is Scenic Washington . The Facebook page continues to
do well . Rachel has created videos showcasing glamping and waterfalls which have been popular . She
has published a hikes booklet and has distributed about 3 , 000 booklets . Rachel attended the WA State
Tourism conference .
Mason County Historical Society Museum — Liz Arbaugh presented the 3rd quarter report . Attendance
has increased along with Facebook visits . The museum hosted a reception for photographer John
Tylzcak in September. The next event will be Impressions of Hood Canal on November 15 which
features art of the Dalby family and friends . The Historical Society care show will return in June 2023 in
a joint venture with the Salish Sea Rotary Club .
North Mason Chamber of Commerce — Pam Voltz presented the 3rd quarter report . Summerfest
festival ( formerly Taste of Hood Canal ) was held this summer . They ran ads in the Shelton - Mason
County Journal advertising events held in Mason County . They are preparing for Pumpkinfest on
October 29 at Hunter Farms . Working on maps for UTV trails .
Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce — Deidre Peterson presented the VIC 3rd quarter report . Visitor
traffic has increased . The Chamber hosted the Taste of Shelton event which increases visitors to the
area .
Review Expectations of Contractors
Cmmr . Trask asked members to come up with new ideas for tourism services using lodging tax .
Shaun reported that John Deliva is taking over the Cameo Boutique and waterfront cabins . He has
history of tourism outside of Mason County . Robinhood is also changing ownership . Maybe they could
serve as a generator on LTAC and bring new ideas and energy . He suggested the County review the
membership and perhaps change it up . Shaun is willing to talk to John to se if he is interested in serving
on LTAC .
Rachel noted that Glen Ayr Resort also has new ownership along with Sunrise Motel .
LTAC Meeting Minutes — October 19, 2022
Deidre noted that it' s important to coverall the geographic areas of the County . She brought up the
Tourism Roundtable that Rachel hosted and suggested that be done again . Rachel confirmed she is
planning to hold this event in Hoodsport .
Request for Proposals for 2024
We will be soliciting for Visitor Information Centers/Services in 2023 for services starting in 2024 .
Deidre suggested hosting a County and City of Shelton lodging tax meeting . Rachel noted she did
receive funding from Shelton lodging tax for the Christmas events . She doesn 't think there is any
tourism information on the City' s website .
Other Business
Rachel brought up the meeting format and it was agreed to hold it hybrid , in - person and Zoom .
Rachel announced she will host an open house on November 17 at the Fjord Oyster Bank in Hoodsport .
Public Comment - none
Calendar = The next meeting is January 18, 2023 at 9 a . m . and will be held hybrid . The meeting schedule
is the 3rd Wednesday, 9 a . m . every quarter — January, April, July and October .
Adiourn
The meeting ended at 10 : 34 a . m .
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST :
LTAC Clerk Chair