HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-17 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
411 North 5t"Street,Shelton,WA 98584
Wednesday,April 17, 2024 9:00 a.m.
Meeting was held hybrid—in-person and via Zoom. Members in attendance: Chair Sharon Trask, Rachel
Hansen, Duane Wilson, Deidre Peterson and Shaun Tucker.Absent: Greg Oldham and John DeLeva.
Chair Trask called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Duane/Rachel moved and seconded to approve the January 17, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion carried.
15t Quarter Reports
Greg Oldham submitted the Vt quarter report for the North Mason Chamber.
Rachel Hansen presented the 1't quarter report for Northwest Event Organizers (NEO). Lodging tax is up
14% in 2024; Mason County has several STR and they are expensive. We have several tourism websites
that are connected and traffic has increased. Scenic Washington is a large partner with Mason County.
Rachel attended the 2024 Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show in March which had a total attendance
of over 9,000. Rachel has done a lot of work on the website. Last week Rachel attended the Olympic
Peninsula Tourism Summit and Rachel shared their 2024-2029 Master Plan which aligns with what
Mason County LTAC has been discussing. One of the ideas is to coordinate Olympic Peninsula-wide
Christmas events to increase lodging in the off-season. Rachel reviewed the various events that she
provides marketing support to which includes print material and website support and some have
requesting funding for operating. There has been an interest in providing financial support to events.
Rachel circulated a survey regarding events and is looking for input from the LTAC.
Rachel is recommending developing a strategy for sponsorships and somehow regulate how the money
is spent. Rachel does provide marketing support of these events. Rachel circulated a form to the events.
Shaun suggested promoting small things to do in Mason County and not just organized events to
encourage people to come stay in Mason County.
Rachel is working with an organizer to build experiences in Mason County that it can be tied to events to
build inspiration to come back.
Duane pointed out that LTAC made the decision years ago to not make individual grants and he is
concerned how would be regulated. The NEO contract provides marketing and technical support.
Deidre suggested defining the support and NEO's support can reduce the marketing funding that the
groups have to spend on marketing so the event organizers can redirect that money in their budget.
Duane expressed appreciation for the support to the Bluegrass in the Forest event.
It was agreed that event promotion and technical support is in the NEO contract and that's the support
provided to festivals.
Wild Side Progressive Web Application
Rachel presented information on the Wild Side App. She has had to create databases that provide the
information for the App to use. The App will soon be available to download and can also be used
LTAC Meeting Minutes—April 17, 2024
without downloading.The links are connected to the ExploreHoodCanal.com website and the website is
kept updated.
In June, Rachel will have a launch event for the Progressive App and promotion materials.
Deidre Peterson presented the 15t quarter report for the Shelton Chamber.There has been an increase
in Hoodsport visitors along with phone calls. The Hoodsport VIC has been open Thursday to Sunday.
The VIC hosts a Facebook page and they work hard to promote travel advisory information. The
Chamber is working on increasing their volunteer base and possibly developing internships. Print
brochures are hard to come by. Goals include adding volunteer hours and rebranding the VIC's.
Lodging occupancy was discussed and how to focus on the off-season.
Liz Arbaugh presented the Historical Museum's 1st quarter report. They have seen an increase in
visitors. They continue to change out exhibits.
Public Comment—none
Calendar- Next meeting is July 17, 2024 at 9 a.m. and will be held hybrid. The regular meeting
schedule is the 3rd Wednesday, 9 a.m. every quarter—January,April,July and October.
Adiourn
The meeting ended at 10:40 a.m.
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST
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