07-09-14 TBID MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Holiday Inn Express
July 9, 2014
Minutes
Board Members Present: Lori Fisher, Chris Walters, Janet Clark
Board Members Absent: Vanessa Nordahl, Dan Moderie, Lisa Brown, Gib Bissell
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Rob Brisendine, Joe Unterreiner, Vonnie Day
Guests Present: Scott Rieke, Best Western Flathead Lake Inn & Suites; Pearl Galbraith Red Lion Hotel; Karena Bemis,
Hilton Garden Inn
Meeting was called to order by Janet Clark, Treasurer of the Board at 3:10 PM.
1. Hear from the public —none
2. Board Action" there was not a quorum so no action was taken
a. Approve Minutes from the June 11, 2014 Meeting:
Action: No action taken — moved to August agenda
b. TBID financial statements for May 2014:
Action: No action taken — moved to August agenda
c. Appointment of Vice -Chair: Vice Chair position has been vacated as Angie Bowman has left the
Homewood Suites. Chris Walters has agreed to the nomination.
Action: No action taken — moved to August agenda
d. Policy Review — Lead Distribution: The board reviewed the updated policy which included input
received at the June meeting. No further changes were suggested.
Action: No action taken — moved to August agenda
e. Policy Review — Special Event Ancillary Activities: Board reviewed updated policy which included
input received at the June meeting. No further changes were suggested.
Action: No action taken — moved to August agenda
3. Board Discussion
a. Dragon Boat update: 60 teams have registered to date, anticipate ending up between 70-75 teams.
Decrease in total teams as compared to last year is anticipated as many local teams are only
interested in participating 1-2 years, aren't in the sport for the long haul. We continue to have great
out of market participation with a higher number of Canadian teams than last year.
b. Spartan Race Economic Impact: Conducted survey through ITRR measuring satisfaction and
economic data. $1,709,180 in economic impact was generated by the event. An average of $251
per person was spent. 6,800 non-residents were in attendance. 1,360 room nights reported.
c. KCVB Updates: Glacier AERO is in negotiations with United for weekly winter service from Chicago that
would run between December 2014 and April 2015. Voice of Montana Tourism is suggesting legislation
to redirect one half (1.5%) of the current Lodging Sales Tax (3%) from the state general fund to tourism
marketing. This concept would generate approximately $27,000 for the KCVB. The board felt that the
risk to the existing 4% isn't worth the trouble considering what Kalispell's share of the increase would
be. Additionally we have heard repeatedly from legislators that they have other priorities, and the state
needs to find funds to offset the impacts of increased tourism such as wear on roads and other
infrastructure. Voices and Tourism Matters to Montana is asking for increased sponsorship to cover
the costs of a lobbyist to begin working on the bill, find sponsor and promote prior to the start of the
next legislative session. Diane will draft letter to send to Voices of Montana Tourism on behalf of the
TBID. Online Updates: website and social media report was distributed. Stats show a 9.41% increase in
unique visitors, 3% increase in new visits. The ad words budget is not spent consistently month over
month so that contributes to some months seeing decreases in visits. Time on site is staying consistent
but page views are down — content is organized better so users find what they are looking for in fewer
pages. We will continue to look at ways to increase engagement. Closely study how site interacts with
mobile viewers as bounce rate has increased and pages/visit down. But % of mobile uses now versus
before site was redesigned is significantly higher. Trip Advisor has redesigned the pages so outbound
links (KCVB links) are much less prominent. All page sponsors are seeing a decrease in interactivity and
click thrus. Working with sales reps to make good and redesign solution or will reevaluate our
sponsorship. Delta Sky: The KCVB partnered with MWED and WCVB to produce an ad in the Montana
section appearing in the August Delta Sky magazine. Readership is 5.2 million. The Montana section
highlighted the business climate and cultural environment of the state and called out Glacier Park and
other amenities in our region.
d. M&C Updates: Created database of planners in Pacific North West including all of Montana
Planners. We are scrubbing the database to ensure contact info is up to date and all are active
planners looking for conference placement over next three years. We are partnering with Glacier
Country Tourism to Attend IMEX America Las Vegas in October. Missoula, Whitefish and Kalispell will
be the destinations represented in the Glacier Country Booth. We will share 30 one on one
appointments and are creating an incentive package and collateral piece to distribute at show.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:30 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 or 406-758-2808