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Mason County
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Minutes
Commission Chambers, 411 N 5"' Street, Shelton,WA 98584
January 21, 2026—9:00-a.m.
Meeting was held hybrid—in-person and via Zoom. Members in attendance: Chair Sharon Trask,Deidre
Peterson,Rachel Hanson,Jeff Slakey,Duane Wilson,John DeLeva,Taylor Jacobs,Kerry London Myers,
Elizabeth Arbaugh,McKenzie Smith,and Tanessa No11.
1. Chair Trask called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of the October 15 and November 4,2025,Meeting Minutes
Deidre/Duane moved and seconded to approve the October 15 and November 4,2025,meeting
minutes with the addition of the Hoodsport and Northwest Event Organizers,Inc.proposals be
included in the October 15 minutes and change to staffing be related to the Hoodsport Visitor
Information Center(VIC)not the Caboose. Motion carried.
3. 2025 4th Quarter Reports
Deidre, Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, shared the 4th quarter report.There was
an uptick of visits in December,credit goes to Christmastown and the Festival of the Firs events.
Hoodsport saw several visitors from North of Seattle.The federal shutdown made getting maps
and passes very difficult. Oysterfest was a big draw.All five 2025 goals were accomplished.
Rachel,NW Event Organizers Inc. (NEO),presented her 4th quarter report which included
Lodging Tax revenue trends,website interactions and statistics, social media information,
advertisements and publications for local events,upcoming 2026 events,and Explore Hood Canal
(EHC)assets.
Taylor asked about curating advertisements and partnering for packages.Rachel discussed the
strategy of having a theme for each month and boilerplate templates that lean into those themes
for individuals to access and use.
Elizabeth,Mason County Historical Society Museum, shared the visitor counts and social media
engagement and analytics, exceeding the the fund drive goal of$17k,the reprint of"Long,Long
Ago in Skokomish Valley"which was originally published in 1965,and the next exhibit will be
"Shaped by the Water: Maritime Roots of Mason County".
Kerry,North Mason Chamber of Commerce,provided the 4th quarter report and prefaced with
discussing feasibility studies,brainstorming,partnering with the Salmon Center, defining the
2026 budget,and the potential moving the licensing office. October was successful for the Hunter
Farms VIC;however, it is not open in November and December.
4. Committee Appointments or Reappointments
LTAC: January 21,2026 1 Page 1 of 3
Removed per the Chair.
5. Discussion of Services to Contract for Request for Proposals
Deidre discussed brainstorming at the next meeting to have a solid proposal by the July meeting.
Topics include the funding split and services available.John added how much funding should go
to marketing and returns. Should funding continue towards the Chambers and the Museum or
shift towards marketing.Rachel included that service is the most important and the need for the
ability to support businesses that provide hospitality and give them the resources to provide more
services. Support services needs to be defined.
Discussion was had around the Squaxin Island Tribe opening a hotel and the Tribe being open to
a conversation around revenue to go towards Lodging Tax dollars.
John mentioned doing an ambassador program and will do more research to present at the April
meeting.
Kerry discussed a county-wide concierge-style option to ensure positive experience for guests.
Critical thinking needs to be done on how to format for a Request for Proposals(RFP).
Deidre asked what specific concerns individuals had. Sharon answered where specific funding
goes and requested that each Lodging Tax funding recipient present to the County at a briefing
how those Lodging Tax dollars are used.
6. Discussion of Funding Formula
No discussion.
7. Other Business
Quarterly reports will need to be sent out prior to the April meeting,but the focus will be on RFP
discussions.Deidre suggested reaching out to MRSC.Taylor asked what the LTAC is working
towards,what is the return on investment,what the five-year plan and vision is.For example, is
the experience for the guest to come to Mason County to be consistent and to build and provide a
foundation?What is the focus,what is being elevated?Kerry added the need to know how to
handle conversations with the public on the LTAC's behalf.Rachel cautioned about having a
finite amount of money and ensuring there is enough for contracts and other events. Deidre added
that not every"checklist"will fit every event.Taylor shared that events could become reliant on
funding. Seeing events supported marketing-wise is the best option for funding,this would lift
everyone up and should be the overall goal.Rachel shared having a mission may be beneficial.
Tourism marketing is a resource that affects the entire community and is sustainable. Sharon
added that what Lodging Tax funds go towards should be available on the County website.
8. Public Comment
Jeff Slakey shared that if anyone has events or needs assistance,Hood Canal has a website form
to fill out.This week's page has information on what is happening now and get added on as
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Mason County
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
`� i Minutes
Commission Chambers, 411 N 5I Street, Shelton, WA 98584
January 21, 2026—9:00 a.m.
talking points for KMAS.
John Hansen suggested having Taylor talk with the Commissioners regarding LTAC.Duane
added that the proof is in how much the funding has increased.
9. Calendar
The next meeting is April 15,2026, at 9:00 a.m.
10. Meeting was adjourned.
Sharon Trask, Chair
LTAC: January 21,2026 I Page 3 of 3