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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/01/15 �r�pH cr)t~TA r Mason County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee g g Minutes Commission Chambers, 411 N 5th Street, Shelton,WA 98584 January 15, 2025 —9:00 a.m. Meeting was held hybrid—in-person and via Zoom. Members in attendance: Chair Sharon Trask, McKenzie Smith,Jennifer Beierle,Rachel Hansen,Duane Wilson,Deidre Peterson,John DeLeva,and Greg Oldham. Absent: Elizabeth Arbaugh, Shaun Tucker, Stephanie Rowland 1. Chair Trask called the meeting to order. 2. Approval of the October 16, 2024 Meeting Minutes Deidre/Rachel moved and seconded to approve the October 16, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 3. 4t''Quarter Reports from NEO and VICs Greg,North Mason Chamber of Commerce,provided the 4t''quarter progress report which included the partnership between the Chamber,Allyn Community Association,and Bent Bind Brew Co.; "Community Connections"network launch,Belfair Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce visitors;Union Visitor Center visitors; and Belfair Licensing Office transactions and products. Rachel,NW Event Organizers(NEO), shared the tourism report which included LTAC revenues, website traffic and referrals, socials, events attended, and projects and goals. The Wild Side app is ready to go. It was recommended that NEO purchase ten tablets and have the app beta tested by local businesses. The tablets would be added to the small asset inventory. Deidre, Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, shared the 4t''quarter report. Highlights include discover passes were more popular, interagency sales and visitors were down, and phone calls increased. In 2025, contracts with the National Parks and Forest Service will be negotiated and there will be a focus on workshops. 4. Review of 2025 Goals Review of 2025 goals was tabled until the April 16,2025 meeting. A goal template will be sent out. Deidre suggested a crosswalk back to the scope of services and connecting the dots between contracts and deliverables. 5. Committee Appointments or Reappointments Review of Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Membership was tabled until the April 16, 2025 meeting. Terms run for two(2)years,May to May. Deidre suggested a joint meeting between the City LTAC and County LTAC once a year. LTAC: January 15,2025 I Page 1 of 2 6. Discussion of Services to Contract for(Request for Proposals) John offered Hood Canale as a meeting location to have a roundtable discussion around goals and discussion of services to contract for/Request for Proposals(RFP). 7. Discussion of Funding Formula Rachel recommended reworking the funding formula and encouraged the committee to look at deliverables with an emphasis on how local businesses are being helped. Tourism is more than lodging;many businesses need help with marketing. Deidre suggested crafting the contracts for highest and best use and working on branding and messaging. John shared that a priority should be when individuals come to Mason County that they leave wishing they did more. Ambassadors are needed for the entire County. Duane shared concerns around the percentages of the funding formula and smaller festivals. Rachel suggested going back to the festival model while Sharon recommended adding to the festival model. Rachel also suggested broader contracts. Jennifer discussed the possible purchase of Mason Lake Campgrounds and using Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)funding for components of fixing the campground and for tourism. 8. Other Business Greg discussed the County reviewing restrictions around short-term rentals(STRs) and the potential effect on lodging tax revenue. 9. Public Comment No public comment. 10. Calendar The next meeting is April 16, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. 11. Meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m. ATTEST: LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON /s/ /s/ Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Clerk Chair