07-10-13 TBID MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
.lily 10, 2013
M i notes
Board Members Present: Lisa Brown, Angie Bowman, Gib Bissell, Lori Fisher
Board MembersAbsent: Janet Clark, Dan Moderie, Chris Walters
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Fbb Brisendine
Guests Present: Brandon Peterson, Holiday Inn Express
Meeting was called to order by Lisa Brown, Chairman of the Board at 3:05 FM.
1. Hear from the public- none
2. Board Action
a. Approve Minutesfrom the June 5, 2013 Meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Lori Fisher.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBI D financial statements for June 2013:
Action: Motion was made by Lori Fisher to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Angie Bowman. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Transfer of TBID sponsorship of air service grant from LAto Phoenix service: In June 2012 TBID
board approved a $3,000 pledge towards the air service grant for new service to GPI. The service
was anticipated to be Los Angeles twice weekly on Allegiant but for various reasons that has not
been finalized. GPI and its consultants feel we have a strong opportunity to obtain service to
Phoenix from A Iegiant. Ibeking approval from the board to transfer the $3,000 pledge to Phoenix
service if approved.
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the transfer of pledge to Phoenix service.
Motion was seconded by Angie Bowman. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
d. Approval of event grant request, Montana Fbined Cow Horse Futurity: Event promoters for the Cow
Horse Futurity are requesting either a $500 sponsorship or 10 comp rooms for 3 nights. Proposed
dates for event are Oct 11-13, 2013, to be held at the Majestic Valley Arena. It is not a spectator
driven event, perhaps40-50 room night pickup above comp room allocation. Anticipate105
participantsfrom other statesand Canada, total of 300 non-residents. Minimal growth potential,
would be very gradual at a rate of 10-15%year over year. Gib stated it is good to get on the "map"
for futurities. It is good shoulder/winter business and impacts the smaller properties. Leary of the
comp room request considering the lack of anticipated room nights above that. Fbb recommended
the group approve a $500 sponsorship and require that any event materials include only Kalispell
hotels. Currently two Whitefish properties are listed on the event application and schedule.
Action: Motion was made to approve a $500 sponsorship with the stipulation that Whitefish lodging
properties are removed from all event documents and promotions.
3. Board Discussion
a. Follow up on board action at June meeting regarding TBID comp room allocation and rate for KCVB
initiatives: Discussion: Following the June meeting Chris Walters shared concerns that some TBID
memberswould feel the request for comp roomswas presented as a mandatory request by the
TBID. He was concerned that reaction might cause distrust towards our overall efforts. The group
agreed that it needs to be presented as a voluntary request and be complemented with a report
showing the successes the TBID has achieved thus far including economic impact and occupancy
data. That report needs to be delivered to owners aswell as managers so they are up to speed also.
An introductory letter will be sent out to TBID properties as a request for appointment. We'II
conduct face to face discussions to explain the comp room and staff rate requests.
b. 9oartan Race: Survey was conducted onsite at the goartan Race event, 450 surveys completed
(spectators and participants). Fbport has been completed by ITRR It shows that the one -day event
generated $1,147,612 in economic impact to our area and those surveyed gave the event a 98%
overall satisfaction and return ratio. The event budget (FY12 and FY13) was $35,000. P&L
statement showed ending balance of $5,000 over budget. We could not afford the reach an event
such as this provides: 64%of the 4,300 registrants were from out of market, plus the extensive and
broad marketing provided by goartan for the Montana race. goartan has committed to move the
date to May 10, 2013. The website still shows June 141h. It will be updated soon. We'II continueto
focus on ways to fill more rooms in Kalispell.
c. Dragon Boat Festival: 96 teams registered to date, 38 from out of market. Fbgistration is dosed but
we have left a few spots open if an out of market team wants to register. The Saturday night event
will beat the Fbd Lion. Friday night welcome reception/captains briefing will be held at the Hilton.
d. High School Fbdeo Finals: the event is moving out of Bozeman after being there for several years.
There are key people lobbying for Kalispell, so good oddsthat if we apply we'll be awarded the
event for two years. Projected investment is $50,000 in cash and in kind. Fob will verify date in
June 2014 to assure it doesn't conflict with major events such as Three Blind Fbfs. Proposals are
due August 1 s.
e. Consumer Marketing Updates: Online marketing report for May showed a451%increase in unique
website visits over May 2012. Pages per visit and site duration also increased. Vsitsfrom Alberta
increased 537%, British Columbia increased 7750/0, Saskatchewan 442%and Ontario 1,900%
increase. Trip Advisor: 53%page view increase and 79%increase in total dicks/ interactions. STR
Fbport showed a 6%increase in occupancy, 4.1 %increase in ADRand 10.4%decrease in FbvPARfor
May. S)cial Media: CVBhas taken Facebook and Instagram in house. Fbcebookad campaign
generated over 13,000 new likes during June. Following continues to grow through use of
compelling imagery.
f. Memberships: Board agreed to provide sponsorship of Voices of Montana Tourism in the amount of
$2,000 and to renew the membership to KDAfor $200. Board also agreed to provide KDAwith $500
to be directed towardsthe purchase of Christmas lightsto improve the downtown display.
g. M&Cupdates: Fbb will attend the Meetings Focus show in Portland August 16-17 where he'll have
20 1:1 appointments with qualified meeting planners.
M eet i ng was adj ourned at 4:10 FM
Fbspectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, Rease Contact
Lisa Brown, Board Chairman lisa.brown@redlion.com or 406-751-5064
Diane Medler, CVB Director, dianem@kalispellchamber.com or 406-758-2808
2013 Board Meeting S�hedule - Kalispell Chamber Conference Fbom at 3:00 PM
F:@bF6iary43 MAPAh 6 AK4-3 ""� 6 Uly 18
August 7 October 2 November 6 December 4