04-28-21 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Board of Directors in person at Kalispell Chamber
Guests – online access via Zoom
Board Members Present: Bryce Baker, Robert Hall, Britta Joy, Dawn Hendrickson
Board Via Zoom: Zac Ford
Board Members Absent: Emily Schroeder, Noelle Barr
Staff Present: Lorraine Clarno, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day
Staff Via Zoom: Diane Medler
Guests: none
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Chair Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public – none
2. Board Action Items
a) Approval of minutes from March 24, 2021
Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Zac Ford.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b) Approval of TBID financial statements for March, 2021
Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the financials. Motion was seconded by Robert Hall.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c) Approval of FY22 marketing plan narrative
Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the FY22 marketing plan narrative. Motion was
seconded by Robert Hall.
Discussion: board discussed ways to mitigate rental car shortage this summer. Kalispell Ford
offers use of courtesy vehicles for those using Ford Motor Co. financing. Local communities and
agencies are in discussions with the Mountain Climber about services to be provided this
summer. Board approved unanimously.
d) Approval of slate of board officers to serve from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022
Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the following slate of officers: Bryce Baker, Chair;
Robert Hall, Vice-Chair; Noelle Barr, Treasurer. Motion was seconded by Britta Joy.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Discussion
a) Event and grant updates
• AAU Wrestling Tournament took place March 19 – 21, was well-attended with more
than 1,100 participants and 67 out-of-town teams. The organizers are planning to bid on
the event for next year. A Maverick Bench Memorial Tournament is being planned.
• Northern Rodeo Finals are returning to the Majestic Valley Arena October 28 – 30.
Organizers are planning to apply for a TBID event grant and join the Kalispell Chamber.
They are creating unique sponsorship packages and want to engage more with the local
community.
• Spartan Race
o Discover Kalispell needs volunteers for the beer garden and Spartan needs
volunteers for race operations.
o All races are sold out except the ULTRA which has only a few spots left. Spartan
volunteers can still register to get a free race.
o There will be no spectators and no kids race this year.
b) Marketing and operational updates
• The Great American Road Trip, our spring hotel campaign, has begun. 100 national park
passes will be given to visitors who book three consecutive nights through aRes at a
TBID hotel. Visitors can pick up their passes at the VIC.
• STR Report: March occupancy was up 84% over March 2020. Occupancy for our comp
set averaged a 52% increase year over year.
c) Group, M&C updates
• Group inquiries are increasing for info about domestic tours, restaurants, activities and
reunions.
• Newsletter promotion through Meetings Today will promote meeting plan FAM to
solicit applications.
• Discover Kalispell is participating with Glacier Country in a virtual meeting planner FAM
on June 10. Featured sites will include the Conrad Mansion, downtown, Purple
Mountain Lavender and hotel meeting spaces. Glacier Country is covering cost for the
film and photo assets to be captured May 12-13 and hosting and promoting the virtual
FAM. DK is developing story board for video, presentation slides and supplying items for
SWAG bag which is provided to first 50 that register for the FAM.
• BMW Rally takes place June 25 in Great Falls. DK is promoting and hosting a post
conference excursion to Kalispell. A motorcycle landing page has been created featuring
local routes and itineraries to engage with attendees, a Kalispell promo piece will be
distributed at the conference to encourage visitations.
• Per Lorraine, inquiries have been received from Tesla motor clubs. Charging stations will
be installed in 8 parking spaces in the Chamber parking lot. Two will be Class 2 chargers.
• POMA is returning in 2022. Dawn will be going to their conference in Franklin, TN to
present an invitation to attend the Kalispell conference.
• Dawn will attend the Montana Society of Association Executives in Whitefish in May.
Attendees will be invited to tour Kalispell the following day including stops at the
Conrad Mansion and Bibler Gardens.
Other updates:
• The logo refresh and new branding for the Kalispell Chamber and Discover Kalispell are
nearing completion. The goal is to present a unified brand and better convey the
mission of both organizations.
• Kalispell Chamber is presenting a Growth Summit on May 18 highlighting downtown
development projects in the pipeline, transportation issues and how they affect growth
and the importance of attainable housing and access to affordable childcare. Discussion
will include intentional growth: defining what we want Kalispell to be.
• Challenges concerning recent restaurant closures or reduction in hours of business.
• Lack of employees continues to be a challenge. Some employers manage to recruit and
retain staff by providing positive workplace culture.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808