11-07-12 TBID MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
November 7, 2012
M i notes
Board Members Present: Janet Clark, Gib Bissell, Chris Walters, Dan Moderie, Angie Bowman
Board M embersAbsent: Lisa Brown, Lori Fisher
Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Diane Medler, Fbb Brisendine
Guests Present: Paul Bell - Travelodge, Stephen Lehmann and Stott Rfeke -Best Western Flathead Lake, Charlie Harball -
City of Kalispell
Meeting was called to order by Janet Clark, Chairman of the Board at 3:15 FM.
1. Hear from the public- Scott Rfeke and Stephen Lehmann from the Best Western Rat head Lake briefed the
board on the new property ownership and direction.
2. Charlie Harball, Attorney for the City of Kalispell discussed optionsfor the TBIDto pursue past due
collections from Q3 and Q4 of fiscal year 2011. First option isto look to the current owner. The lien would
not appear on a title search and has not been placed asjudgment so the new ownerswould not necessarily
have been aware of the lien during their due diligence. Second option isto pursue the previous owners.
First step would be to file action, then get ajudgment and execute against them. Whether the board choses
to pursue either of those options to collect they can also look at restructuring the collection process to
possibly eliminate future problems. One option isto place the payments due as automatic assessments on
the tax rolls. This would be based on prior year activity so would be a year behind where we are at today.
And the TBID would receive two payments a year versus the currently quarterly payment schedule. The
board will discuss further at the next meeting.
3. Board Action
a. Approve Minutes from the October 10, 2012 Meeting: Discussion: none
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Dan Moderie.
Board approved unanimously.
b. TBIDfinancial statements: Discussion- None
Action: Motion was made by Dan Moderie to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Gib Bissell. Board approved unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a. Dragon Boat: Fbb reviewed the results of 2012 festival and economic impact study. The event
generated over $770,000 in economic impact to our Valley. Performance measures also included a 97%
overall event satisfaction and return ratio and $75,000 was raised or pledged to support local non-
profits. The KCVB met with Flathead Lake Lodge and negotiated the venue fee for the 2013 festival. The
fee is$13,000 for three days. Agrant application was submitted to the State requesting $29,300
towards the 2013 event. We will be notified on the grant by mid -January. Based on whether the grant
is awarded the event outline and expenditures may need to be reevaluated and adjusted.
b. goartan Race: Over 1,000 people have registered for the race thus far. Contract has been signed with
Rathead Lake Lodge. The KCVB isworking to get goartan race designer out for a site visit. tartan is
subsidizing two marketing assistants to promote the festival at other races and events both across
Montana and in Eastern Washington. Upcoming promotion isat the Eastern Washington University
football game. Event logistics are in planning stage and the KGVBwill be looking for financial and in -kind
sponsorshipsto meet our host obligations.
c. Other Events: KCVB submitted a second grant application for a Fond Hockey tournament which would
take place February 2014. We would contract with Can Am, a promoter of pond hockey events across
the country. It would be coined as across border showdown, attracting many teams and visitors from
Canada as well as Pacific Northwest, ND and M N.
d. KCVBhascreated an event grant request form. Agroup or individual requesting financial assistance
from the KCVBwill be asked to complete the grant request form which outlines the event, projected out
of market attendance, expenses and revenue. The requests will be submitted for board input and
approval.
e. Diane summarized the recent state-wide TBID meeting which was held in conjunction with the M LHA
conference in Missoula. The group discussed the structure of the various TBID's across the state, some
functioning as stand-alone entities, most held as part of a CVBand/or Chamber. Also discussed the
Voice of Montana Tourism initiative and how that has been effective over the last year to raise
awareness of tourism and importance of tourism funding to our legislators and candidates. TheTBID
sponsored the initiative with $2,500 last fiscal year. Mary Paoli will attend aTBlDmeeting to ask
questions. F;bquest for additional funding will be forthcoming. The group also discussed how each TBID
was communicating with their stakeholders. Along with the KCVB, most TBID'suse monthly meetings,
correspondence and one on one conversations with all members and easily accessible TBID marketing
plans, budgets and information on current initiatives. A poll indicated that all TBID's except Kalispell are
currently charging $1 per room night. M issoula TBID indicated that they are looking at raising their fee
to $2.
f. Calgary Women's Show: Diane and CJ Getty manned the booth at the show October 27-28. The show
included approximately 300 vendorsand attracted over 10,000 attendees. The KCVBcollected over 500
entriesfor the Kalispell shopping vacation give-away and distributed approx. 600 visitor guides and
other collateral. The show continues to be beneficial for the KCVB and will plan to attend the fall show
next year and possibly the spring show as well.
g. Fall -winter consumer marketing campaign: Diane reviewed the campaign which includes online and
print media as a coop with MTOT, other online campaigns targeted at promoting winter and early spring
travel, ,ffiOand S/I and an ad in the annual Glacier country guide. The campaign runsfrom October
2012 through June 2013. Ahandout was provided which outlined each of the campaigns and associated
costs. (Attached)
h. 2013 meeting schedule: the board finalized the meeting schedule for 2013. (Attached)
Committee formation to evaluate compensation for KCVB staff: the board requested that a committee
be formed to evaluate current compensation and report back to the full board. Volunteers are Chris,
Lisa and Angie. They will provide a report at the January meeting.
Inclusion of other lodging properties into the TBID: The LaQuinta and the Best Western Rathead Lake
have expressed interest in joining the TBID. The board directed Diane to meet with the city attorney to
map out the process needed to create this authority and report back to the board at the following
meeting.
5. Social Media- Connie Cermak with Social Nectar gave a presentation outlining the focus and mission of the
Discover Kalispell Facebook and Twitter accounts. Goals are to drive traffic to the website, promote our hotels,
and create the awareness of Kalispell as a vibrant and active community. Connie also discussed opportunities
for the TBID hotels to leverage the successes of Discover Kalispell's social media campaigns by cross promoting
photos and special lodging packages. Connie met briefly with a few of the individuals in attendance responsible
for their property's social media. It was suggested that a follow-up training session be scheduled and sponsored
by t he TBI D.
Meeting was adjourned by Janet aarkat 5:00 FM
F;bspectfully Babmitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, Rease Contact
Janet nark, Board Chairman, jca@darkmontana.com or 406-261-0027
Diane Medler, GUB Director, dianem@kalispellchamber.com or 406-758-2808
2012 Board Meeting S�hedule - Kalispell Chamber Conference Fbom at 3:00 Pm
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