12-04-19 Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
December 4, 2019
3:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Conference Room
Minutes
Board Members Present: Dawn Hendrickson, Lucy Weeder, Emily Schroeder, Joe Alexander, Zac Ford, Bryce
Baker
Board Members Absent: Janet Clark
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Joe Unterreiner, Vonnie Day
Guests: Jamie Reeder, Kalispell Job Service; Scott Rieke, Best Western; Tom Schneider and Christina Stone, Eagle
Transit; Vance Brash, Brash Rodeo
Meeting was called to order by Chair Dawn Hendrickson at 3:02 pm.
1. Hear from the Public – None.
2. Grant Application Presentation –Brash Winter Rodeo Series
Vance Brash presented information about his event grant application for the Brash Winter Rodeo Series.
He had requested a grant of $2,500 to be used toward purchase of equipment and advertising for a new
event, Ranch Bronc Riding. The event is growing in popularity and more inclusive since special saddles
are not needed. Vance and Brash Rodeo are working to build interest in the sport of rodeo among
young people.
3. Presentation by Eagle Transit – Tom Schneider and Lisa Sheppard present information on the
proposed Mountain Climber Line.
Ridership has increased from 85K to 116K in the last three years. Routes have been adjusted according
to ridership density. Mountain Climber is based on a transit system servicing Acadia National Park and
the surrounding communities. The Flathead Valley has unique year-round transportation needs with
heavy GNP summer traffic and winter traffic to Whitefish Mountain Resort. The Mountain Climber
helps alleviate traffic overload in GNP and provides connectivity to Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish,
GPIA and GNP. Eagle Transit did a pilot program this summer providing service to Kalispell hotels which
attracted a lot of interest and inquiries. Eagle Transit has requested additional funding from the Park to
help underwrite The Mountain Climber. They’d like to facilitate an increased number of visitors to the
park and are exploring taking skiers from Kalispell hotels to Whitefish Mountain Resort. They will be
approaching the business community in gateway towns about pledging financial support and will be
looking for funding annually from each community to support expanded services.
4. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from November 6, 2019:
Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Lucy Weeder.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of TBID financial statements:
Motion was made by Lucy Weeder to approve the financial statements for October 2019. Motion
was seconded by Zac Ford. Discussion: None. Board approved unanimously.
c. Scoring and approval of Brash Winter Rodeo Series grant application:
Motion was made by Bryce Baker to approve a cash grant of $250 and a $5 rebate to Brash Rodeo per
actualized Kalispell hotel room night generated by rodeo events December 20, 2019 through April 11,
2020. Maximum total rebates for this year’s series will be $2,250. Motion was seconded by Zac Ford.
Discussion: the application received an average score of 64 on a scale of 100. Board members were
enthusiastic about the event, appreciative of the variety it adds to winter activities, and expressed
support for the rodeo’s focus on youth. Historically the series has not generated many trackable room
nights at Kalispell hotels. My Place is a sponsor of this year’s series. An aRes booking page will be
created. Hotels that Brash would like to work with will be contacted to explain the rebate process.
Hotels will be responsible for reporting the number of rooms generated to Discover Kalispell at the end
of the series. Board approved unanimously.
5. Board Discussion
a. Event and Grant recipient updates
• Flathead Celtic Festival Post Event Report, Sept 13–14 – organizers were able to confirm 200 room
nights, they corroborated a large number of out of market attendees through conversations at the
info booth and vehicles in the parking lot, the new venue worked well and offers increased
parking and room to expand the event, the group plans more events in 2020 including a Burns
night in January, dance competition in May and a piping competition.
• Northern Rodeo Association, Oct 24 – 26 – organizers were happy with the event, online ticket
sales showed strong results in Salt Lake, Dallas, and Denver. They’re discussing options for 2020,
would like to return to Kalispell if additional financial and promotional support are available,
looking for more opportunities to engage with the community, more sponsorships, cross-promote
with local businesses.
b. TBID renewal updates:
• No comments or objections were expressed in the public hearing at the city council.
• Council members will weigh in at the next meeting on December 16. TBID board members are
encouraged to attend the December 16 council meeting to speak in support of the renewal.
• The 2nd and final reading of the resolution will be at the January 6 council meeting.
c. Marketing updates:
• Alyssa Cordova has been hired as the new director of the Hockaday. Alyssa is a Great Falls native
who has extensive experience in gallery management acquired in California.
• The TBID annual meeting will take place January 15 at Snowline Acres. All TBID members are
invited.
• First quarter collections were up 14% over last year due to the addition of My Place and Country
Inn & Suites.
• Kalispell was featured in an article in a Chinese-language publication with distribution to more than
300K in North America. This was result of press trip with David Lang and Donnie Sexton.
• Diane attended a media event in LA, participated in 8 appointments with traditional travel media,
freelancers, and influencers who showed strong interest in NW Montana. At least two press trips are
expected to result.
• Correction to the November dashboard: conversion room nights should be 1,000 rather than 0.
• Diane will attend the Spokane Great Outdoors and Bike Expo in February and Dawn will attend the
Outdoor Show in Calgary in March.
• Board members were asked to complete a survey requesting input on names for the new Kalispell
trail.
d. Group, M&C updates:
• Montana League of Cities and Towns has arranged for overflow rooms for their October 2020
conference. The group anticipates needing a total of 925 rooms.
• aRes pages have been created for skijoring, indoor soccer, and the Spartan Race. Hotels need to check
rates to make sure they are correct.
• The 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be held in Billings, April 26 – 28.
• Plans for itineraries are underway for a post-FAM after the BMW Rally in Great Falls which takes place
June 26 – 28. Dawn has talked about pre and post activities with a coordinator for a Spokane group,
BMW enthusiasts Pierre Kaptanian and Jerry Meerkatz are providing advice on routes and a poker run.
Activities will be promoted on the BMW Rally website to clubs and groups.
• Refer to the sales sheet in the board packet to see a list of 2020 – 2021 conferences for revenue
planning.
e. Round table discussion on what members are seeing and current trends in the hospitality industry.
• A November indoor soccer event similar to our March tournament is being considered.
• With the bed tax increase to 8%, properties will have to charge an additional 1% to guests who’ve paid
in advance. OTA’s will adjust to the new rate. MLHA has documents explaining how to comply with
the new rate.
• Minimum wage increased to $8.65 per hour on January 1, 2020.
• Glacier High School Culinary instructor Tamara Fischer has developed a training program under the
auspices of the American Culinary Federation. Students have work experience requirements of 400 –
800 hours depending on what certification they’re going for. Work hours can be done during the
summer. Tamara is looking for hospitality community partners to mentor and work with the students.
Contact Diane or Vonnie for more information about the program.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:54pm
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808