HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/01/18 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
411 North 5t"Street,Shelton, WA 98584
Wednesday,January 18, 2023 9:00 a.m.
Members in attendance via Zoom: Chair Sharon Trask,Shaun Tucker, Deidre Peterson, Pam Volz, and
Greg Oldham. Duane Wilson arrived at 10:15 a.m. Also in attendance was Liz Arbaugh, Rachel Hansen
and John Deleva.
Chair Trask called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Deidre/Shaun moved and seconded to approve the October 19, 2022 minutes. Motion carried.
2022 4th Quarter Reports
Northwest Event Organizers,Tourism Development—Rachel Hansen presented the 2022 4th Quarter
Report. The big event for the 4th quarter was the Christmas town tree maze and Christmas market.
Lodging tax revenue continues to increase and broke$1M in 2022. Explorehoodcanal.com traffic has a
small increase as well as social media in general. Rachel uses a few Facebook ads. Rachel was very
involved in Oysterfest and did a lot of marketing and hosted an Explore Hood Canal booth. She
continues to print the Fjord magazine and makes it available electronically and downloads have
increased. Hoodsport Holiday Fest was successful. Rachel continues to work with Craig Ramono who
provides fresh hiking information. Continues to print the Shellfish and Scenic Waterfall maps and keep
them updated. The waterfall map includes the entire Olympic Peninsula. Rachel is very involved in
several events and manages their websites. She encourages the events to have a Facebook page so the
information can be shared. Rachel opened a Welcome Center in Hoodsport in the fall 2022 which she
considers a proof of concept for such a facility. The Welcome Center provides visitor information and
food cooked by Xhinh.The goal is to have a self-sufficient Welcome Center. Her 2023 goals include
finding ways to keep the revenues in Mason County. She talked about how Pacific County has a booking
service through their tourism website which saves those properties their booking fees that would be
paid to a 3 d party.
Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce—Deidre Peterson presented the VIC 4th quarter report. Visitor
traffic has increased. Phone traffic has increased and people are making plans for spring. Hoodsport
volunteers have increased. Park Rangers share trail conditions to the Chamber.
North Mason Chamber of Commerce—Pam Voltz presented the 4th quarter report. The Chamber
hosted the Pumpkin catapult event at Hunter Farms in the fall. The Chamber also provides information
on hunting and fishing season to encourage visitors to come to Mason County. The Union visitor center
will be staffed starting in May. They need to work on increasing email traffic and expand information on
trails for off-road vehicles. They are also reaching out to area Chambers building relationships and
sharing information.
Mason County Historical Society Museum—Liz Arbaugh presented the 4th quarter report. Visitor traffic
has increased; they were open on Halloween. Continue to engage the community online and provide
pictures which are popular and shared. Have extended the Dalby art exhibit which also attracts visitors.
LTAC membership
Member terms expire in May 2023;John Deleva has applied as a generator and he has a background in
tourism. We will bring forward John's application for appointment.There was discussion of adding
another generator.The other members agreed to be considered for reappointment; Shaun will
complete his term. John Deleva provided his tourism promotion background.
LTAC Meeting Minutes—January 18, 2023
Request for Proposals for 2024
Mason County will be soliciting for Visitor Information Centers/Services in 2023 for services starting in
2024.
Diane provided the 2020 RFP that allows for all expenses in the lodging tax law.
Other Business
Cmmr.Trask reminded the contractors to send their quarterly reports to the county a week prior to the
LTAC meetings so they can be shared with the LTAC members.
Diane reminded the VIC's to provide event information to the tourism contractor, NEO. Duane asked
this be reported in their quarterly reports.
The LTAC meeting date/time will remain the same.
Rachel asked for direction on whether to pursue a booking app software on Explorehoodcanal.com.
Would need to know how many properties would participate and how to administer quality control.
John commented that he supports a booking direct app. It allows the property owners to lower their
price which encourages longer/more stays.
Rachel's contract is based on lodging tax revenues which have increased and she will do this research as
part of her contract.
Public Comment- none
Calendar-The next meeting is April 19, 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 10:41 a.m.
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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LTAC Clerk Chair