03-22-23 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday – March 22, 2023
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Discover Kalispell Chamber
Board Members Present: Robert Hall, Zac Ford, Skyler Rieke, Bryce Baker, Britta Joy,
Dawn Hendrickson
Staff Present: Marisa Mikonis, Dawn Jackson, Diane Medler
Via Zoom: Lorraine Clarno
Guests: Steve Blazer – GM Hilton Garden Inn
The meeting was called to order at 3:02 pm by Chair of the Board, Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public – None.
2. Board Action Items
a. Approval of the minutes from February 22, 2023
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 February 2023
Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the financials. Motion was
seconded by Britta Joy. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Approval of FY24 TBID budget and DMO plan strategy
Diane reviewed the strategy with the board as we maintain of goals with
destination marketing as 60%, stewardship as 20% and destination
development as 20% of the organization’s operations. The full plan will be up
for approval next month. Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the DMO
plan strategy. Motion was seconded by Skyler Rieke. Discussion: none. Board
approved unanimously.
Diane reviewed the TBID budget with the board. Discussion includes: The
Discover Kalispell Chamber is still working on moving to a new location, with
this Diane has already accounted for the increase in rent and a one-time
moving expense. Those costs are shared with the bed tax budget
proportionately. Increased hosted press trip budget, website budget has
decreased since monthly maintenance fees are lower. Research will increase
so we can secure adequate data either through partnership with the state or
Glacier Country or on our own. Wages within TBID budget remained flat as a
higher percentage of wages are included in bed tax budget. Motion was
made by Britta Joy to approve the budget as presented. Motion was
seconded by Skyler Rieke.
d. Approval of group incentive request for NW Rental Conference
Northwest Rental Conference is coming to Kalispell, September 27 – October
2nd with around 200-300 attendees and 60+ exhibitors. The NW Rental
Conference is requesting $10,000 for transportation from hotels to
fairgrounds and off-site venues. If this conference is successful, it will
determine if we will be the repeat rotating city to host conferences in the
future. Discussion: amount requested is high compared to the room nights it
will generate and the number of TBID properties it will benefit. Motion was
made by Skyler Rieke to approve actual cost of transportation up to $3,000.
Motion was seconded by Dawn Hendrickson.
3. Board Discussion
a. Indoor Sports Facility Updates
The next phase will include a detailed financial forecast expanding on data
acquired in market opportunity report. It was suggested to have one of the
consultants present in Kalispell to continue to garner interest in the project
after this next study is complete. Draft report will be available about 8-9
weeks from project kick-off call.
b. Staff Reports
Dawn Jackson: Working of various RFPs and proposals including MT DECA for
2025-2027. Spotlight Pre-FAM in April, attending a tradeshow in Missoula and
International Roundup in Boise. Kalispell and a few chamber members were
recently mentioned in two meeting and group travel industry magazines.
Marisa Mikonis: Discover Kalispell’s Ski Package has ended, moving into the
gas card campaign for the season. Flathead Hospitality Class with FVCC will
relaunch this spring. Visitor Guides are off to the printer, will be here in the
next few weeks.
Diane Medler: Updated the board on bills of concern in the legislative
session. Highlander event application is still being processed through Forest
Service and County Parks. Glacier County and MT Office of Tourism are
providing grant support for Spartan Race this year which will off-set Discover
Kalispell’s costs. Glacier AERO is requesting sponsorship again this year. Last
fiscal year TBID provided a $10,000 contribution. Priorities for AERO remain
to acquire more year-round and/or winter service. The board agreed to
provide a $2,500 sponsorship this year.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information contact diane@discoverkalispell.com, 406-758-2808