05-25-22 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber or Zoom
Board Members Present: Bryce Baker, Britta Joy, Robert Hall, Zac Ford, Chris Walters, Corbin Bedard
Via Zoom: Dawn Hendrickson
Board Members Absent:
Staff Present: Marisa Mikonis, Lorraine Clarno, Diane Medler
Via Zoom: Dawn Jackson
Guests: Margosia Jadkowski - Whitefish Legacy Partners
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Board Chair Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public -None
2. Visitor Amenity Grant Application - Margosia Jadkowski representing Outside Kind
Flathead.
• Outside Kind is a collaborative project working on behalf of local multi -use trails including
Foys To Blacktail and Rails To Trails. Grant request is for creation and installation of
signage related to responsible recreation. Grant request is $3,000.
3. Board Action Items
a) Approval of minutes from April 27, 2022
o Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by
Robert Hall. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b) Approval of financials for April, 2022
o Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve the financials. Motion was seconded
by Britta Joy. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c) RFP - Sports Facility
o Received RFP proposals from Huddle Up Group, LSW with Ballard King, and The
Sports Facilities. Board discussed the pros and cons of each proposal. Also
discussed what next steps this study could generate (potential developers) and the
benefits looking at it from a sports tourism angle - a sports facility would attract
more year-round events and aligns with Discover Kalispell's stewardship and
advocacy roles for the community.
o Motion was made by Britta Joy to award the scope of work to the Sports Facility
Company. Zac Ford seconds the motions. Chris Walters declines the motion. The
remainder of the board approves. Motion is passed.
d) Grant application scoring
o The board reviewed the visitor amenity grant application and scored according to
grant criteria. The board discussed how it would be beneficial to have materials
consistent between trail systems in the valley. The board agrees that print
materials should be distributed to businesses, hotels, outfitters, and visitor centers
with a question of how much and what materials will be provide. Also questions on
where the signs will be places along the Foys to Blacktail Trails and Rails to Trails.
Discover Kalispell would like to use the marketing materials across their social
media as well.
o Robert made a motion to approve the $3,000 cash for Outside Kind Flathead
projects and for Marisa to forward the board's additional questions to the
applicant. During the June TBID board meeting the board will review the additional
information and consider providing additional funds to the project. Britta Joy
seconded the motion. Board approved unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a) 5 room minimum - The Clark Farm Silos
o Board discusses how The Clark Farm Silos do meet the criteria for membership as
a TBID Associate Member and that the property would be unique to our lodging
inventory. They are a year-round business unlike other short-term rentals and
would benefit from our marketing. Dawn and Diane will follow up with The Silos to
see if they are interested in joining the TBID.
b) The Event at Rebecca Farm - USAE September
o The event is August 30-September 4, first time in Montana. The event will bring
riders and spectators from all over the world at a higher level than the July Rebecca
Farm event. Board discussed how this is a one-time event, not annual and we will
need to become more open to funding summer events due to the future concerns
of things slowing down in the valley. For TBID funding the organizers must submit
an event grant application. The sponsorship will be a coop with the Chamber.
c) Event updates
o Spartan Race weekend showed 86% occ on July 61", 91 % occ July 71", and 63% occ
July 8th. There were over 8,000 racers this year. Complete data forthcoming from
Spartan. DK staff will provide an event recap report at the June meeting.
d) Staff reports
o Dawn provided updates on NW Spotlight trade show she attended for the
domestic tour operators, as well as International Roundup with international tour
operators. She is heading to MSAE luncheon in Helena this week along with sales
calls in Helena and Missoula. First half of June includes meeting planner FAM tour
and the POMA conference.
o Marisa and Diane gave updates on the success of Flathead Hospitality Workshops
with engaged hotel groups. In the works of potentially having another class in June.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
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