04-26-23 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Wednesday – April 26, 2023
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Discover Kalispell Chamber
Board Members Present: Zac Ford, Bryce Baker, Britta Joy
Via Zoom: Robert Hall
Staff Present: Marisa Mikonis, Dawn Jackson, Diane Medler, Lorraine Clarno
Guests: Brain Overlie – Red Lion, Adrian Knowlers – Daily Interlake
The meeting was called to order at 3:04 pm by Chair of the Board, Bryce Baker.
1. Hear from the Public – None.
2. Board Action Items
a. Approval of the minutes from March 22, 2023
Motion was made by Britta Joy to approve the minutes. Motion was
seconded by Zac Ford. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of financials for March 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 DMO Plan
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. Research and data
provided as support of the marketing plan. Motion was made by Britta Joy to
approve the FY24 DMO plan. Motion was seconded by Zac Ford. Discussion:
none. Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Discussion
a. MARS event grant – post event report
The board reviews the post grant report with reports of cancelation of some
of the events due to weather. The board discussed how we as a community
want these events to grow and be successful. The numbers actualized are
low for what we expected and the maximum number of events in the future
is regulated by staffing issues. We want to be a key sponsor for MARS events
but will want to have more documentation, specific upfront cost, or even a
rebate program for future situations. Motion was made by Zac Ford to
approve the remaining $2,500 to be paid to MARS. Motion was seconded by
Britta Joy.
b. Board and executive committee roster for May 2023 – April 2024
The committee still has a vacant seat for a treasurer.
c. Reviewed FY23 Campaign
Diane shared with the board the success of the Discover Kalispell Ski Package
Campaign Report. The campaign ran 12/1/2022 to 3/26/23 generating 42
reservations, 94 room nights and impacted 9 of the TBID hotels.
d. Indoor Sports Facility
A kick-off call for the next phase is April 27th to review recommendations of
who may be interested in the next steps, high-level site selection ideas, and
economic impact analysis.
e. Staff Reports
Marisa and Diane recently attending the Montana Governor’s Conference on
Tourism and Recreation. Dawn attended International Round Up in Boise to
help market Kalispell to over 7 different counties who work with suppliers
and buyers on the Great American West packages which include Kalispell.
Discover Kalispell hosted a successful FAM trip for the Northwest Spotlight
group. Spartan Race will be back for the 10th year May 6-7. The Highlander
event is still in the works with Forest Service and stakeholders. Journal of Lost
Time recently published the Winter in Kalispell, ‘Pow by Day, Après by Night’
content and story. Avelo airlines will start mid-May with direct flights to
Burbank.
f. Legislative Bill Tracking
Diane gave the board updates on Bills such as SB540, SB422 and HB5.
Meeting adjourned at 5:02 PM.
Respectfully submitted: Diane Medler
For further information contact diane@discoverkalispell.com, 406-758-2808