09-28-22 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber or Zoom
Board Members Present: Bryce Baker, Britta Joy, Robert Hall
Via Zoom: Zac Ford, Dawn Hendrickson
Staff Present: Marisa Mikonis, Lorraine Clarno, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson
Guests: Fabiano Pereira – Hilton Garden Inn, Ty Whitaker & Abbi Whitaker – The Abbi
Agency, Tia Troy – Lightning Bug PR,
Via Zoom: Julian Tallent, Henry Mershel, Caroline Sexton and Warren Phan – The Abbi
Agency, Bo Wagner – NRA Finals
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 3:02 pm by Board Chair Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public – None.
2. Event Grant Application
a. Bo Wagner presented on the National Rodeo Association Finals events to be
held at Majestic Valley Arena, October 27-29. The anticipated number nights,
based on last year’s numbers is 450 with over 1,500 spectators at the event.
The event grant request is $5,000 for the venue plus a hotel room rebate.
3. Agency Presentations – FY23 Media Plans
a. The Abbi Agency – Ty and Abbi Whitaker, Team
i. The Abbi Agency team presented on the Media plans from FY22 into
FY23. With the newest creative since the rebrand of Discover Kalispell
last fall with digital and print ads for Venture Boldly, Recreate
Responsibly, and promotional campaigns such as the Great American
Road Trip package and the Winter in Kalispell Ski Package. The team
presented the highlights and statistics of the paid media tactics
through SEM, Display, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,
Pinterest, and the Website Analytics. The newest design for the
Discover Kalispell website is in the final stages for launch in the third
week of November.
b. Lightning Bug Public Relations – Tia Troy
i. Troy discusses Discover Kalispell by ‘where we’ve been’ and ‘where
we’re going’ through owned brand content, media coverages, social
media highlights, PR and media. Troy will be focusing the next
editorial highlights around accessibility, Flathead Pride, economic
impact of DK, meetings & events, and new seasonal pitches.
c. Board Discussion with Agencies:
i. After analyzing the statistics from The Abbi Agency, we should be
putting more money in for clicks and impressions, larger budget for
photos/photoshoots for visual content, and continue to thoroughly
observe and studying the visitor web experience and where visitors
are looking.
4. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from September 1, 2022
i. Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve the minutes. Motion was
seconded by Britta Joy. Discussion: none. Board approved
unanimously.
b. Approval of financials for August 2022
i. Motion was made by Robert Hall to approve the financials. Motion
was seconded by Britta Joy. Discussion: none. Board approved
unanimously.
5. Board Discussion
a. Event Grant Scoring
i. The board reviewed the NRA Finals event grant application and scored
according to grant criteria. The board discussed how it is a recurring
event, TBID has sponsored in the past. Britta Joy makes a motion to
honor $750 in-kind donation for the National Rodeo Association
Finals. Dawn Hendrickson seconds the motion. Discussion none.
Board approved unanimously.
b. Indoor Sports Facility Study Update
i. Draft for review will be received in the next few weeks, as we will
schedule a zoom with the Indoor Sports Facility staff to have a
through reading of the study.
c. Staff Reports
i. Diane updates the board on the Smith Travel Research annual
renewal fee. Due to increased costs, it is recommended that we
reduce the number comp sets subscribed to. The board agreed upon
removing Bend, Boise, Butte, Lethbridge, and Spokane. Add Sandpoint
if available, if not retain Helena.
ii. Campaigns such as the Gas card, Fall Under the Spell, Towns & Trails,
and Ski Package are all active or upcoming.
iii. Dawn reported on the record number of RFPs she has received this
month. Kalispell recently worked with Red Angus Association of
America, Pathfinders, and National Guard conferences. Discover
Kalispell had sent out a Meeting Planner and Group Tour surveys with
over 103 responses. Dawn provided a summary of survey results.
iv. Marisa reported on the Montana Reining Classic post event report, in
which we had provide an event grant for.
v. Diane and Marisa are going to California to meet with the staff and
attend the first U.S. Highlander event. Diane is working with the
county on Herron Park while Marisa works with Highlander Staff to
brainstorm trail routes for next year while connecting them to Forest
Service.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:08 pm.
Meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808