09-23-20 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber Conference Room
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Emily Schroeder, Janet Clark, Bryce Bennett, Dawn Hendrickson
Britta Joy attended via Zoom
Board Members Absent: Joseph Alexander, Zac Ford
Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day
Guests: Jamie Reed with Job Service
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The meeting was called to order at 3:04pm by Chair Emily Schroeder.
1. Hear from the public – none
2. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from August 26, 2020:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Bryce Baker.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of TBID financial statements for August 2020:
Motion was made by Bryce Baker to approve the financial statements. Motion was seconded by
Dawn Hendrickson. Discussion: None. Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Discussion
a. Event updates
• The Indoor Soccer Championship has been canceled based on consultations with event
operations partners and teams. The closure of the Canadian border and the ban on
tournament participation by the head of the Missoula Strikers eliminate our two biggest
contributors to the event registration. Also, results of a survey of teams registered for the
March 2020 tournament indicated participation in an October event would be very limited
and would result in a minimal room night yield. An online game or activity for teams and
players is being explored to keep coaches and teams engaged with the event to retain
interest for the March tournament.
b. Marketing and operational updates
• Current cash on hand in the TBID checking account is $215,547. The rollover from FY20 is
$269,755 which is higher than forecasted due to grants received and reduced expenditures.
Diane recommended and board agreed to re-allocate a portion of the rollover funds in the
following ways:
1. $30K to return the media buy budget to what it was last year to give Abbi Agency
the funding needed to drive visitations during the shoulder seasons.
2. $7,800 to continue the subscription to C-Source (the subscription was started with
$12K in CARES Act funding) through June 2021. C-Source provides destination-
specific demographic data about who is visiting, for how long, where they’re from,
etc. Data that is critical for effective decision making for marketing campaigns.
• At 72.3% occupancy for August, Kalispell fared better than numerous members of our comp
set. ADR was down 13.2% to $133.54.
• November and December board meeting dates conflicted with holidays so the two meetings
will be combined and held on December 9th.
• Airline news:
o Montana had the smallest percentage of discontinued flights in the nation
September 2020 vs. 2019.
o August enplanements were down 17% at GPIA – the lowest decline in the state.
Missoula’s enplanement was down 46% for August. Airport manager predicts
enplanements will drop to 50% of last year after October.
o Alaska Airlines is planning a new winter daily direct flight from Portland beginning in
December.
o CARES ACT funding to airlines will expire the end of September and may result in
massive layoffs in the industry.
• Voices of Montana annual legislative forum for the Flathead Valley will be held online this
year giving legislative candidates a chance to ask questions and share views on issues
affecting tourism. Five local legislative candidates are currently registered.
• A Seattle-based journalist wrote about her recent fall-season visit to Kalispell with mentions
of Homewood Suites, Hops and Desoto Grill. Her article appeared in five Northwest
publications in our drive market.
• The Conrad Mansion is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the home with a series of special
interest tours to increase exposure to the mansion.
• Country Inn & Suites did not renew their TBID Associate Membership.
• The Abbi Agency has submitted three campaign concepts for review and asked for feedback
from the board.
1. Fall Under the Spell – “Not all spells are made to be broken. Some are meant to be
embraced. Crisp air, crystal water and iridescent fall colors captivate you in a season
made for moments like these. Fall under the Spell, Kalispell.” The campaign has
seasonal connotations but also works for non-fall seasons, especially winter; fits
well with starry night images; like the brick color as logo background. Works as a
general brand tag line.
2. Nothing Changes Up Here – “What is it about the old that makes us new? What part
of timeless transforms us? Kalispell is true to its Montana roots, steeped in unfiltered
mountain culture. Our doorstep opens to boundless adventure, but within our town
you’ll find true Western hospitality. It’s what you need to become you again. Nothing
Changes Here. Except You.” There was a concern that it portrays us as stodgy and
old; can be interpreted as a positive message that we care for our environment;
least favorite of the three concepts; like the changeable tag lines; maybe the idea
could be rephrased so it would not be interpreted as stuck in the past.
3. You Might Want a Guide – “It’s big out there. Lakes that stretch to the horizon and
glacier the size of cities. Don’t go it alone. Let our guide be your companion as you
explore everything from friendly Kalispell coffee shops to the untamed Montana
wild. Land So Vast You Might Want a Guide.” Versatile; will encourage distribution
of DK visitor guides; multiple tag lines; invokes western hospitality; could deter
people from thinking they can do things on their own.
• Annual DK Memberships and Sponsorships
1. Glacier Aero – the board decided to provide a $2,000 sponsorship for FY21. TBID
contributed $1,500 in cash last year plus in-kind marketing. There will be minimal
new flights coming in and some airlines are not asking for revenue guarantees.
Kalispell Chamber is contributing $2,500.
2. Voices of Montana Tourism – TBID contribution will be $2,500 plus $1,000 in bed
tax. The legislature will be in session with a strong focus on budget and shoring up
the state’s budget shortfall.
3. Kalispell Downtown Association – DK is contributing some of the Tourism Safety
Grant CARES Act funds to the KDA for a holiday shopping coupon book app. That will
be in lieu of an annual membership fee.
c. Group, M&C updates
• 3 RFP’s were received in August, two in September
• Both M&C and Tour Operator Fall Enews have been sent. Three FAM requests were received
as a result of the M&C Enews.
• 10 TBID members responded to the lodging survey for August. Key takeaways:
1. 50% of responding hotels are seeing up to 80% occupancy
2. 40% are seeing up to 50% forecasted for October
3. All are seeing lower ADR compared to same time last year
4. 60% have group business on the books
5. Average booking window is 7 days
• Dawn collected surveys from 40 visitors waiting in line for rental cars at the airport on
September 3. Out of 40 surveyed, 30 were first time visitors, 31 were here on vacation.
Other data gathered:
o States of origin: top five were Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina
o Towns they were staying in: top three were Whitefish (12), West Glacier/Park
(7), and Kalispell (6)
o Lodging: 23 were staying in vacation rentals, 8 in hotels, 6 in campgrounds, 3
with family
o Reasons for visit: top was GNP at 13
o Resources used: Internet (17) and previous visit (10) were the top two
• Discover Kalispell hosted representatives of three tour companies for a mini-FAM. The
guests stayed at the Kalispell Grand, toured the Conrad Mansion and went to GNP.
• A photo shoot to build our inventory of much-needed M&C photos including group
activities, meeting facilities, and hotels will take place October 3 and 9.
d. Coronavirus health crisis – roundtable discussion
• Staffing continues to be a serious problem.
• Job Service currently has more than 1,000 job listings.
• The drop in the amount of unemployment benefits has had little impact on motivating
people to return to work.
• Job Service will be holding a virtual job fair next weekend.
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808