11-13-13 TBID MinutesBoard of Directors M eeti ng
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
November 13, 2013
M i nutes
Board Members Present: Lori Fisher, Gib Bissell, Janet Clark, Chris Walters, Dan Moderie
Board M embers Absent: Angie Bowman, Lisa Brown
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Fbb Brisendine
Guests Present: Derick Tungwenuk —Best Western Rat head Lake; Chris Parson —Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Meeting was called to order by Lori Fisher, Chairman of the Board at 3:05 PM .
1. Hear from the public —
Karla West — Glacier ,kazzElampede: Karla reviewed the 2013 event, which was the 201" year that she has
produced the Elampede. Karla is stepping back and will not produce the event next year and is looking for
another individual or organization to take it on. She distributed a report outlining attendance and costs.
Mike Howe— AAble Fishing Charters re Ice Duels Fishing Tournament: Mike outlined anew fishing
tournament that includes 5 events in other states (MN, WI, SD) leading up to the finals in Kalispell December
2014. Anticipate 500 entries for the finals which will be held on Snith Lake. Mike is promoting the
tournament at the El. Paul, M N and Wasau, WI ice shows this winter. He will submit an RFPto the KCVB
with request for sponsorship.
2. Board Action
a. Approve Minutes from the Saptember 25, 2013 Meeting:
Action: Motion was made by ChrisWaltersto approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Janet
Clark. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBID financial statements for August and Saptember 2013:
Action: Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Gib Bissell. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Discussion
a. Dragon Boat Final Faport: The final report was distributed to the board which contained the
economic impact and satisfaction survey report taken from 505 surveys completed by participants
and spectatorsand the Dragon Boat account P&Lstatement through Saptember, 2013.
b. Travel Writer FAM: Diane provided a recap of the journalist's visit to Kalispell which included a busy
schedule of activity, historic and cultural sites and dining at local restaurants. Outlets identified to
feature a Kalispell story include Via, Mountain Magazine, Empire Builder, Canadian Geographic
Travel M ag.
c. Cinch Bucking Horse Championships: 2,300 were in attendance for the event including many
cowboys and contractors from many states including Canada, SD, WY, and MT. Cinch has
committed to be the major sponsor for 3 years. Having the national brand associated with the
event boosted the attendance and quality of participants.
d. Pond Hockey: Marketing to solicit team registrations is in full swing and includes promotion of the
video featuring Lanny McDonald, e-blast, online banner ads, Facebook ads, PRand pre -registration
events at the Lakeside and Missoula Tamarack locations. An WPwas sent out to qualified TBID
hotelsto host the Saturday night event during the tournament. It has not been awarded aswe need
to wait for confirmation of the attendance of the Elanley Cup.
MTHigh School Fbdeo Fnals: Kalispell has been selected to host the finals in 2014 & 2015wit h option
to continue in 2016. Dates are June 3-8, 2013 and June 2-7, 2014. The 2013 dates do not conflict with
other established tournaments such as Blind Refs. Anticipate4,000 people over 5days. 60 room
nights are required of the host community. Anticipated TBID expense is$35,000. Local and national
sponsorships will be solicited. Ranning committee has been formed and will be meeting monthly to
work with the KGVBto organize the event.
f. Video and Website Updates: The Kalispell Discover In Every Direction video was launched the end of
October and has received many favorable comments on Facebook and over 27,000 views on You Tube.
DiscoverKalispell.com retrofit is complete which includes improved compatibility with mobile devices,
(responsive web design) and other visual and structural improvements. Dan expressed his concern that
most of the restaurants located by the Super 8 are not listed on the website. It was clarified that when
the website was first launched the board agreed that onlyTBID properties would be included for
lodging and the other businesses featured would be pulled from the Chamber membership database.
This eliminated creating aduplicate membership structure and maintaining a separate database. The
Chamber will focus on bringing in more restaurants on the south end of town as members.
g. 2014 Meeting ,'3chedule was distributed. January 15 h will be aTBID retreat —planning session. Diane
will ask board members to assist in leading discussions on the primary marketing segments. Agenda for
the retreat will be distributed at the December 41" meeting. Fbpresentatives from each TBID property
are encouraged to attend and be part of the discussion.
h. Marketing Fbports: a) Diane attended the Calgary Women's Show October 26-27. Show attendance
was down 12%from the previous year, primarily due to weather. Elrong interest in Kalispell and the
show continues to be a good opportunity to talk about visiting Kalispell for shopping versus Great
Falls. The CVB received hundreds of entries in the drawing for a Kalispell Vacation package. b) FY14
Q1 collections were received and showed a6%increase in room nights over FY13. c) The
Thunderbirds are rescheduling the Kalispell Air Show for August 30-31, 2014. The Chamber will
submit an RFPto host the Thunderbirds and other staff.
Other Discussions: The board discussed Karla West's presentation and the future of the Glacier Jazz
Elampede. Gib stated that I would hate to see it die; it's an established event at a good time of year.
He suggested that local musicians/ music teachers could be engaged to put on the event and look at
expanding it to more than traditional ja= Janet suggested that Fbb and Diane meet with Karla and
see how she could be persuaded - would financial sponsorship help? The group agreed that it would
be important to continue the main event but begin expanding to other forms of jazzto attract a
younger audience, enabling the event to be sustained.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 RM
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