06-28-22 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber or Zoom
Board Members Present: Bryce Baker, Britta Joy, Zac Ford, Chris Walters,
Via Zoom: Corbin Bedard, Robert Hall, Dawn Hendrickson
Board Members Absent:
Staff Present: Marisa Mikonis, Lorraine Clarno, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson
Guests: Rachel Williams, Skyler Rieke, Dennis Spand, Jane Corwin
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Board Chair Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public - None
2. Event Grant – Big Sky Reining Classic
• Jane Corwin and Dennis Spand submitted an event grant application for the Big Sky
Reining Class put on by the Montana Reining Horse Association (MRHA) at the
Majestic Valley Arena, August 8-14 with an anticipated 200+ competitors. Reining is
now an Olympic and national sport that is growing tremendously. They are
requesting $1,000 to be used for production and promotion.
3. Board Action Items
a) Approval of minutes from May 25, 2022
o Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion was
seconded by Britta Joy. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b) Approval of financials for April, 2022
o Motion was made by Dawn Hendrickson to approve the financials. Motion
was seconded by Chris Walters. Discussion: none. Board approved
unanimously.
c) 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 a partnership with MRHA in the future, how occupancy levels are
down and who knows what the rest of the summer will bring. There has
already been calls to the hotels about this event generating room nights.
o Zac made a motion to approve the $1,000 cash and $500 in-kind for the Big
Sky Reining Classic. Robert Hall seconded the motion. Board approved
unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a) Outside Kind Flathead follow-up
o Marisa had followed-up with Outside Kind regarding marketing material
usage and amount of material provided to hotels and the visitor center.
Board will further discuss additional funds once first round of trail signs
and marketing materials are delivered. Marisa will follow-up on if the
Parkline Trail in downtown Kalispell will also have signs.
b) Rollover funds available for allocation
o Diane is finalizing the Sport Feasibility Study contract. Next will be the
onboarding call to finalize schedule and scope of work. Board members
will be notified.
o Britta suggests looking into scooters for downtown out of the reserve
account. It would be a great use along the Parkline Trail and means of
transportation around Kalispell downtown area.
o Discussion on paid media campaigns through The Abbi Agency and ways to
redirect them for FY23 targeting all seasons. Based on how the summer is
looking we may need to begin promoting summer.
o Diane and Marisa continue to explore ‘Voluntourism’ in Kalispell options.
Marisa is working with a new association, ‘Flathead Trails Association’
whom also would like to promote Volunteer Vacations in the valley.
o Chris suggested directing paid media to ‘Kayak’ for Discover Kalispell to
push winter campaigns and promotions.
c) Event updates
o Spartan Race weekend had just under 8,000 racers this year. A 12%
increase from last year with a total of 9,100 people at the event over the
weekend. Diane presented a recap report which included a heat map of
where racers came from for the racer and lodging data of ADR and
occupancy in comparison to last year.
o Highlander staff will be in Kalispell in July to meeting with Discover Kalispell
and the Forest Service.
o Montana Alpine Race School has been contacted for Blacktail Mountain Ski
Area to host national events this upcoming winter.
d) Staff reports
o Diane and Marisa give updates on the website timeline as we are moving
forward to launch our new site in the late Fall.
o Diane updates on the latest STR reports and non-resident spending.
o Dawn provided a recap of the weekend FAM and POMA conference that
was hosted at the Red Lion. Sent out the RFPs for the Northern Rodeo and
Pathfinders. Dawn notes that group tour restaurants are in high demand,
as we could discuss a way to collaborate with restaurants with tickets to
spread out guest and conferences around downtown.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808