6. Confirmation - Tourism Business Improvement District BoardJune 25, 2014
City Council, City of Kalispell
RE: Kalispell TBID Board of Directors
Dear Esteemed Council Members,
At the June 11, 2014 TBID Board of Directors Meeting action was taken on the following items:
Vacating board seats: Angie Bowman has left the Homewood Suites, consequently her board seat needed to be
filled. A letter was sent to all TBID members requesting nominations from the medium hotel category members.
An application was received from Vanessa Nordahl, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Homewood Suites. The
Homewood Suites management provided signature of approval for Vanessa to represent the Homewood Suites
for the TBID. The board approved the application and now requests approval from City Council. Current list of
board members and terms is attached.
The Kalispell Chamber and Convention & Visitor Bureau appreciate the continued support of the City Council.
Regards,
r
Joe Unterreiner Diane Medler
(406)748-2804 - joe@kalispellchamber.com (406)758-2808 - diane@discoverkalispell.com
-""ELL
L I S
TPI
e a e
Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau
Kaiisreh Chamber of Cori>mea:e. 15 DePot Park, Ka€isl-,�eil MT T 5990! j ... 406-758-28O Puy-88; 2?G8, _% ,06-758-105 j ,4 >v:cFscc, rya£ speil.ecrs
Board of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Holiday Inn Express
June 11, 2014
Minutes
Board Members Present: Lisa Brown, Lori Fisher, Gib Bissell, Janet Clark, Dan Moderie
Board Members Absent: Chris Walters
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Rob Brisendine, Joe Unterreiner
Guests Present: Scott Rieke, Best Western Flathead Lake Inn & Suites; Brandon Peterson, Holiday Inn Express; Karena
Bemis, Hilton Garden Inn
Meeting was called to order by Janet Clark, Treasurer of the Board at 3:12 PM.
1. Hear from the public —none
2. Board Action
a. Approve Minutes from the April 9, 2014 Meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Dan Moderie.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBID financial statements for March and April 2014:
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Janet Clark. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Appointment of Vice -Chair: Vice Chair position has been vacated as Angie Bowman has left the
Homewood Suites. Suggested nominations were Chris Walters or Gib Bissell. Chris is on vacation so
this matter will be tabled until he can be reached. Action moved to the July board meeting.
Action: No action taken
d. Approval of nominations for board seat vacated by Angie Bowman: Vanessa Nordahl, Director of
Sales & Marketing at the Homewood Suites, submitted an application to complete the term vacated
by Angie Bowman. Resume and signature of approval by Hilton Regional VP Rick Gabrielsen were
submitted.
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the slate of board officers. Motion seconded by
Janet Clark. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
e. Policy Review — Lead Distribution: The board reviewed the draft policy submitted by Rob. It was
agreed that leads should be distributed to all TBID properties (qualified or not) unless the planner
restricts. This allows all members to be aware of group & meeting activity and submit response if
they feel they can adequately support the event. Those that participate in a monthly reporting of
business mix will be eligible to receive quarterly reports summarizing the type of business the
Kalispell hotels are receiving. Rob will send out sample reporting forms. Based on seeing sample
reports the board will approve the policy.
Action: No action taken, revisited at July meeting.
f. Policy Review — Special Event Ancillary Activities: The board reviewed the draft policy submitted by
Rob. Main discussion points included who does the board feel is qualified to make decision on
awarding ancillary activities? With some KCVB signature events there is a sub -committee, they have
made the decision in the past. It was agreed that there needs to be a ranking/scoring system
created for the RFP's so the criteria is clear to all parties. It was also discussed that for some events
a local business hosts the evening event and in lieu provides a substantial sponsorship (Spartan Pre-
Game/Sportsman). Also, for some events a hotel ballroom is not the correct venue to provide a
good experience for the participants. It was suggested that in the case of Spartan Pre -Game (for
example) the RFP stipulates that award of the event is based on a sponsorship of a certain value.
That allows TBID properties to respond to RFP as well as a retail business. It was also discussed that
in other cases the RFP should be sent first to TBID hotels then if no response then the RFP is allowed
to be broadened to other local businesses. Third discussion point was regarding host hotels for
signature events. It was agreed that we will not establish a host hotel procedure for KCVB signature
events and instead continue to promote all TBID properties and feature packages as submitted by
individual properties. For other events (non KCVB signature events) organizers may select a host
hotel. Rob will draft ranking/scoring system for RFP and submit to board for discussion at July
meeting.
Action: No action taken, revisited at July meeting.
3. Board Discussion
a. Spartan Race Recap: 5,500 racers registered, 600 kids, 80% out of market (increase from 64% in
2013). Estimated that it created 1300 room nights in Flathead Valley. Next year 2- days, May 9 &
10. Sprint held on Saturday and a Spartan Beast on Sunday. The higher level Spartan offerings will
serve to attract an even greater number of traveling racers. Economic Impact data will be available
in July.
b. MHSRA Finals Recap: 235 competitors participated in 491 events. 98% OOM, 100+ Montana
towns/cities were represented. Over 100 people camped at the Majestic. The TBID budget
properties are reporting good pickup. Estimate 500 room nights generated to TBID.
c. KCVB Updates: Glacier AERO: approximately $20,000 left to reach goal. Will negotiate with United for
weekly winter service from Chicago. TBID property owners are encouraged to consider an individual
pledge as attracting additional air service is vital to increasing occupancy during the shoulder and
winter seasons. Voice of Montana Tourism has put out a whitepaper on a conceptual framework for a
legislative initiative for 2015. It is suggested that one half (1.5%) of the current Lodging Sales Tax (3%)
be redirected from the state general fund to tourism marketing. This concept would generate
approximately $27,000 for the KCVB. Concerns are that it would raise awareness of TBID's which to
this point have "flown under the radar" of the legislators. Questions have come up as to why tourism
needs more funding when many communities are creating TBID's. Conflicting views of whether to take
a more proactive aggressive approach to recoup the 3% as other entities will be looking at it, or remain
proactive about tourism's impact on the state economy to protect the 4%. Reference materials
available upon request. TBID 3`d quarter revenue shows a 7% increase in room nights over FY'13.
Homewood Suites and Best Western were not part of the FY'13 Q3 collection. Those room nights were
not included in the calculation. Kalispell VIC - Toni Moon has been hired as the VIC Coordinator. Vonnie
is transitioning into the role of Sales Assistant with the KCVB as approved in the FY'25 budget. The VIC
will be open weekends beginning late June through Labor Day.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:43 PM
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information Please Contact
Lori Fisher, Board Chairman, lori.fisher@hilton.com or 406-755-7900
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or406-758-2808