02-23-22 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber or Zoom
Board Members Present: Bryce Baker, Robert Hall, Britta Joy
Via Zoom: Noelle Barr
Board Members Absent: Zac Ford, Dawn Hendrickson
Staff Present: Lorraine Clarno, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Marisa Mikonis, Meche EK
Guests: Michelle Wieglenda and Laurie Wilson - Hilton Garden Inn
Via Zoom: Dax Schaffer- Voices of Montana Tourism
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Board Chair Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public – None
2. Dax Schaffer – Voices of Montana
• Voices of Montana Tourism is an advocacy group for Montana’s tourism industry. The
TBID and CVB has supported Voices with an annual contribution for several years.
Voices holds an annual legislator and business roundtable in Kalispell as well as
advocating for the industry to legislators and business groups throughout the year.
Motion was made by Bryce Baker to approve $3,500 sponsorship for Voice of Montana
Tourism to be split equally between TBID and Bed Tax budgets. Motion was seconded by
Noelle Barr. Board approved unanimously.
• Dax informed the board about a new 501c3 being formed, the Montana Travel Alliance
(MTA). There is a pilot group comprised of lodging and other tourism representatives
working to determine the group’s mission and funding. Voice of MT Tourism will remain
as an advocacy group. The MTA will hire a lobbyist to work on behalf of the tourism
industry.
3. Board Action
a) Approval of minutes from January 26, 2022
Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Britta Joy.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b) Approval of TBID financial statements for January 2022
Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the financials. Motion was seconded by Robert Hall.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c) Approval of projected revenue for FY22
Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve a projected revenue of $625,000 for FY23. Motion
was seconded by Noelle Barr.
Discussion: Considering the removal of two properties from the TBID, Fairbridge Inn and Blue &
White Motel, the board felt the projected revenue should remain at the same level as FY22. Bed
Tax budget is increasing due to submission of the lodging facility use tax by short term rentals
and reflecting the room rate increases.
Board approved unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a) FY21 rollover funds available for allocation
• Diane provided updates on the research and meetings she’s been having regarding a
feasibility study for an indoor sport facility. The study could cost up to $100,000 so it is
important to gain understanding of the consensus of what type of facility is needed and
who could be potential partners. Discussions will continue to determine the scope of
work of the study and who is able to partner on the cost of the study.
• $134,000 of the reserve account remains to be allocated. Board was requested to
provide suggestions for projects outside of the normal marketing and sales initiatives
that Discover Kalispell does. Diane suggested to consider funding a visitor center
electronic kiosk along the Parkline Trail or downtown to market and promote events,
restaurants, lodging. Help answer visitor questions and get them to visit local
businesses. Bryce suggested looking into an app that can be downloaded onto phones
and Britta suggests the kiosk could go into the airport. There will be more research done
on apps and kiosks. No other new project suggestions were provided.
b) Discussion of M&C Incentive Program
• Dawn provided an overview of the group incentive program, process for approval and
sample of amounts awarded over the past few years. It is an approved line item in the
annual budget. The executive committee reviews the proposed incentive awards with
DK staff as they come in. The board discussed whether the procedure for approval
should remain as is or under what circumstances the full board should act.
• Suggested guidelines for incentive program: If the incentive recommended is greater
than $5,000 a full-board vote is required. If the incentive awarded is under $5,000 the
executive board reviews and approves.
• Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the above guidelines for the M&C incentive
program. Motion was seconded by Robert Hall. Motion approved by majority of the
board present.
• PEO Philanthropic Education Organization requested an incentive amount of $8,500.
The conference is scheduled for 2024, would provide 740 room nights at two TBID
properties. Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the incentive amount of $8,500
for PEO. Motion was seconded by Robert Hall. Board approved unanimously.
c) Staff Reports
• Marisa reported on the Blacktail Mountain Montana Alpine Race School, Flathead Valley
Tech Series on January 13-17. This event was supported by a TBID grant. There was a
total of 79 out of market participants from elsewhere in Montana, South Dakota, and
Wyoming as well as 300 spectators and coaches. MARS is growing and hopes to bring
more races each year and expand the out of market participants. Some of the south
end TBID properties reported strong occupancy that weekend.
• Dawn reported on groups contracted, lost and waiting signature as well as another
cityside opportunity that will go out for RFP to hotels – the NW Rental Association for
October 2023. Dawn will attend MSAE luncheon and do sales calls in Helena. She is busy
working on upcoming 2022 conferences and plans to schedule a TBID group sales
personnel event for late March, early April.
• Diane provided information on the GNP vehicle reservation system and a proposed
event for September in Kalispell called Hurricane Heat H3X.
• Marisa provided updates on the progress of the Highlander event. Organizers are
working with the Forest Service to define the routes and obtain approval. They hope to
launch Highlander Kalispell Montana event on March 4th to their global network. Event
would be held September 10-15, 2022. The number of participants will be lower than
originally forecasted due to the late launch. The financial sponsorship by TBID will be
defined once approval is given by forest service.
• There is a vacant board seat to be filled by a large category property. It is recommended
that a representative from either the Red Lion Hotel or Hilton Garden Inn apply as
having a representative from one of Kalispell’s conference facilities is important.
Applications are submitted directly to the City of Kalispell with Council providing
approval.
• Lorraine provided updates on the outcome of the Chamber’s childcare study and actions
underway in 2022. The Manufacturing Alliance has been reenergized with over 20
manufactures represented at a recent event. The Chamber’s Growth Summit will be on
April 5th, 8am – 1pm at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808