HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-16 I
° �. Mason County
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Minutes
�xsr Commission Chambers,411 N 5th Street, Shelton,WA 98584
October 16, 2024—9:00 a.m.
Meeting was held hybrid—in-person and via Zoom. Members.in attendance: Chair Sharon Trask,Diane
Zoren,McKenzie Smith, Jennifer Beierle,.Kate Campbell,Rachel Hansen,Jeff Slakey,Duane.Wilson,
Deidre Peterson, lizabeth Arbaugh,John DeLeva, and Greg Oldham. Absent: Shaun Tucker, Stephanie
Rowland
1. Chair Trask called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of the July 17,2024 Meeting Minutes
Rachel/Duane moved and seconded to approve the July 17,2024 meeting minutes. Motion
carried.
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3. V QuatIter Reports from NEO and VICs
Deidre, Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, shared that visitors are up 10%from last
year and up 136%from pre-COVID. Presentation slides included: visitor information center
services,IFacebook pages, Shelton Caboose visitors and Google analytics and traffic, Caboose
restoration project,Hood Canal visitor information and Google analytics and traffic, and strategy
and looking ahead. Current pain points are interagency passes—the National Park Service is out
of passes at the state level. The Chamber is working with the Forest Service and National Park
Service for training opportunities and-to grow services.
Elizabeth,Mason County Historical Society Museum, discussed the visitor count and an article in
the July 21,2024 Seattle Times"Pacific Magazine"featuring local historian and writer Mike
Fredson.1 Presentation slides included: visitor counts,Facebook interactions, square website
traffic and sales summaries,the new exhibit: the art and artistry of Clarence Beauchamp,free
public talk with David George Gordon, and continuing goals.
Rachel,NW Event Organizers(NEO),provided a report which included LTAC revenues,website
traffic and referrals through Mason County channels,Facebook and Instagram statistics, events
attended,and current projects. An event center was discussed,there are groups and landowners
that are willing to cooperate, and the project would be grant eligible.
Jeff shared the Wild Side app. Purchasing ten tablets for the County and VICs was discussed.
The tablets would be signed out to potential testing sites such as Alderbrook,The Ridge,and
casinos. Tablets would be locked:to where only the app could be used. Deidre suggested one-
time training. Rachel could host an event for group training. Once feedback is received, a plan
would be developed n where to put kiosks and a proposal would be brought before the County.
Greg,North Mason Chamber of Commerce,has received a lot of requests for a"Welcome to
Mason County"map. Report included:Mason County"padded"tourism map,Brats &Brews
event,visitor information, and Belfair Licensing pamphlet and permit information.
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LTAC: October 16,2624 1 Page 1 of 2
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Meeting dates and times were discussed,North Mason Chamber of Commerce is unavailable at
noon on the third Wednesday of the month.
4. Goals for Remainder of 2024
Goals were discussed during 3rd quarter reports.
5. Other Business
Diane requested the group think about contracts for 2025—a Request for Proposal(R.FP)will
need to go out for tourism, small festivals, etc. Rachel recommended a feasibility study for a
welcome center and shared the RFP should be"open"to get more proposals. Diane shared RCW
67.28.1816, services must support tourism. Cmmr.Trask suggested having an additional meeting
for further discussion.
Diane asked Rachel and Jeff to brief the Commissioners on the Wild Side app.in November.
Cmmr.Trask shared that the Planning Advisory Commission(PAC)is.reviewing short-term
rentals (VRBO,and Airbnb)and requested thoughts from LTAC. Rachel recommended John
having input. Deidre added that 47% of homes in Mason County are secondary homes. Rachel
shared that regulation and enforcement is huge, short-term rentals are big lodging tax funders.
Cmmr.Trask suggested that Rachel and Jeff also present the Wild Side app at an Economic
Development Council(EDC) event.
6. Public Comment
No public comment.
7. Calendar
The next meeting is.Wednesday,January 15,2025 at 9:00 a.m.
8. Meeting was adjourned at 11:11 a.m.
ATTEST: , LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
Lodging Tax A'Avisorvcommittee Clerk Chair