02-06-19 Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
February 6, 2019
3:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber Conference Room
Minutes
Board Members Present: Zac Ford, Emily Schroeder, Dawn Hendrickson, Sean Morris, Lucy Weeder, Dan
Moderie
Board Members Absent: Janet Clark
Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Joe Unterreiner, Meche Ek, Vonnie Day
Guests: Scott Reike – Best Western Flathead Lake , Mark Dennehy – Glacier High School
Meeting was called to order by Chair Zac Ford at 3:02 pm.
1. Hear from the Public – none
2. KCVB Event Grant Requests – State tack host committee of Glacier High School requested a grant of $4,000
for the State High School Track Meet (AA & B schools) May 23-24 at Legend’s Field.
a. Motion was made by Dawn Hendrickson to approve a cash grant of $4,000. Motion was seconded by
Sean Morris.
Discussion: Glacier HS is aiming to produce a high quality track meet in order to be awarded more event
bids from Montana High School Association. To enhance the track meet, grant funds will be used to rent
a large replay screen during the event. Video from various locations will be directed to the screen
throughout the meet. A welcome message from Discover Kalispell will rotate on the screen. Flathead
High School is helping Glacier put on the tournament. The event has a high yield of room nights at
1,500+.
Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from January, 23, 2019: Motion was made by Emily Schroeder to approve the
minutes. Motion was seconded by Dawn Hendrickson. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of TBID financial statements for December, 2018: Motion was made by Dawn Hendrickson to
approve the financial statements. Motion was seconded by Emily Schroeder. Discussion: None. Board
approved unanimously.
c. Approval of projected revenue for FY’20: Motion was made by Dan Moderie to approve projected
revenue for FY 2020 at $658,000. Motion was seconded by Lucy Weeder.
Discussion: Projections for FY’20 took into account the addition of new properties My Place and Country
Inn & Suites. Projection for 3rd Quarter was revised downward approximately 12% to reflect that
revenues for properties represented at the board meeting were off to a slow start for 3rd Quarter with
revenues down for January. Reasons for the decline are unknown, but the board speculated that the
government shutdown and lack of snow might be the cause. Board approved unanimously.
d. Approval of Country Inn & Suites as Associate Member of the Kalispell TBID.
Motion was made by Dawn Hendrickson to approve Country Inn & Suites as Associate Member of the
Kalispell TBID. Motion was seconded by Emily Schroeder. Discussion: None. Board approved
unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a. Event updates
Montana Indoor Soccer Championship – 16 teams have registered which is similar to last year at this
time. Approximately 32 teams are projected. Maven Coffee and Mountain Berry Bowls will be vendors.
b. Discussion of 2019 state legislature bills impacting hotels and tourism – Joe Unterreiner
HB81 – This bill would increase the fuel tax of commercial in Montana. The tax increase would help
improve general aviation airports in eastern Montana. Kalispell Chamber is opposed. It will die in
committee if not passed out by this Friday.
HB185 – Extend brewery hours from 8pm to 10pm, sponsored by Dave Fern of Whitefish. Kalispell
Chamber is monitoring. This bill has been tabled in committee.
HB329 - Redirect $14M or approximately 50% from the bed tax budget to provide funding for local
emergency services. Kalispell Chamber is opposed. The bill has been tabled in committee.
SB24 – Raise light motor vehicle tax from $6 to $9 and would add an opt out option. Additional revenue
to be used to support trails and parks through a grant program. Kalispell Chamber is monitoring. The bill
passed out of committee as amended.
SB102 – would raise the $6 fee to $25 and would require an opt-in for state park funding. Kalispell
Chamber opposed. The bill has been tabled in committee.
Keith Regier is working on a bill draft that would allow Montana’s commercial airports to bond against
the mills they receive from counties. This bill is of particular interest because of the of Glacier Park’s plan
to construct four new terminals with work beginning in 2020.
County trail system – Associated Chambers have been supporting the proposed Trail Update.
Commissioners are concerned that the county will end up being responsible for the cost of upkeep.
Tourism Matters is a lobbying organization that advocates for the tourism industry in the legislature.
TBID has not supported the organization financially in the past and contributions to the organization
are not included in the budget.
Voices of Montana Tourism – the board agreed to continue to support the organization at the
budgeted level of $2,500 per year.
c. Marketing Updates
i. Strategic planning update – Carl’s report is due in March. The information provided will influence
the FY20 marketing plan.
ii. Winter campaign and content marketing report included in the board packet which outlines activity
on social media channels, website analytics and digital campaign activity in November and
December.
iii. A conference call with American Airlines and Whitefish CVB to discuss promoting AA’s new
flights is planned. Discussions are underway with American Airlines and our state tourism partners
to develop a cooperative marketing campaign promote the new flights. Partners will be MOTBD,
Glacier AERO, Glacier Country, Whitefish CVB and Kalispell CVB.
iv. Diane will be representing Kalispell at the LA Travel Show and the Spokane Great Outdoor Show &
Bike Expo in February and the Calgary Outdoor Show in March.
d. Group and M&C Updates
i. RFP’s sent:
2019 MYSA Showcase Soccer Tournament – June
2020 Association of Internountain Housing Officers – November
2021 Council on Problem Gambling – June
2019 Communicator’s Conference – September
ii. Proposals sent:
2019 MYSA Showcase Soccer Tournament – June
2020 Association of Intermountain Housing Officers – Nov.
iii. Working numerous leads including discussion with MWED about a Montana Economic Development
Association Conference for fall or spring of 2020.
iv. Groups won:
MYSA Showcase Soccer Tournament – June 15 - 16, 2019
Montana League of Cities and Towns – 2020: with 500+ attendees, logistics will be a challenge.
Kalispell will serve as a test case for holding the event in smaller cities.
v. Group assists:
Montana Auto Dealers, June 2019 – helped with group activities
Alumni Presidential Tour, March 2019
Recreation in Montana Project, March 2019
Dawn was featured in an article the Flathead Beacon about her successful efforts to bring meeting and
convention business to Kalispell.
A slate of board officers will be needed for the May board meeting for president, vice-president and treasurer.
Dan Moderie’s term is expiring in June.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:32 pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808