11-05-14 TBID MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
November 5, 2014
Minutes
Board Members Present: Chris Walters, Janet Clark, Gib Bissell, Lisa Brown
Board Members Absent: Dan Moderie
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Rob Brisendine, Vonnie Day
Guests Present: Scott Rieke, Best Western Flathead Lake Inn & Suites; Brandon Peterson, Holiday Inn Express;
Jody Sander, Sterling Hospitality
Meeting was called to order by Chris Walters, Chairman of the Board at 3:15 PM.
1. Hear from the public — none
2. Board Action
a. Approve Minutes from the October 1, 2014 meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Gib Bissell to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Janet Clark.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBID financial statements for September, 2014:
Action: Motion made by Janet Clark to approve the financials. Motion seconded by Gib Bissell
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Approval of application for board seat vacated —Vanessa Nordahl:
Discussion: Vanessa's application reflecting her new position at the Hampton Inn has not been
received.
Action: Tabled until December meeting.
d. KCVB staff bonus program FY15:
Action: Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the program. Motion seconded by Chris
Walters. Board approved unanimously.
Discussion: Officers have reviewed and feel it is an excellent plan. Board approved unanimously.
e. Sponsorships: Kalispell Downtown Association
Action: Motion was made by Janet, seconded by Gib to renew the KCVB membership in the Kalispell
Downtown Association at the $200 level and to donate $500 for holiday decorations. Board
approved unanimously.
Discussion: Donation will be used to update and increase decorations, including greenery to
wrap poles that have not been decorated in the past.
3. Board Discussion
a. Sponsorship for Voices of Montana Tourism and updates on proposed legislation:
In deciding whether to renew sponsorship of Voice of Montana Tourism, the Board discussed
various ways to provide support to the organization yet convey concerns about proposed legislation
to return a portion of bed tax funds to CVB's and other tourism groups. Concerns were expressed
about Voice's role in the creation and promotion of the proposed legislation which goes against the
premise of Voice which is for advocacy and PR particularly between sessions. The Board decided to
put the issue on the December agenda, pending completion of the Governor's budget on November
15. There was discussion of efforts to develop conference centers/multi-purpose facilities in
Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Missoula and Lewistown.
b. Dragon Boat report: 73 teams participated with 34 teams (47%) coming from out -of -market.
In the 3rd year, the event had increased venue costs and decreased sponsorship, largely due to the
Airshow which took place 2 weeks before the Dragon Boat Festival and drew on the same sponsor
pool. Team registrations dropped 20%, primarily due to a decrease in participation by local teams.
The percentage of OOM teams rose from 42% to 47%. Parking revenue was down 40% from last
year, attributable to the decrease in team participation and an increase in the number of free
parking passes given to each team. The increased costs and decreased revenue created variances in
the event P&L of $17,500. The event created 1,600 room nights weighted toward the economy
properties. The economic impact is estimated at $2 million.
Montana Dragon Boat Festival dates have been set for September 12-13, 2015. A venue change to
Lakeside is being evaluated. Advantages of a Lakeside location include greatly reduced venue and
parking/transportation costs, increased parking availability, revenues from food and beverage sales
and less turbulent water. More information is being gathered by a group of Lakeside promoters. A
decision on the location will be made by the end of the year.
c. Pond Hockey: 29 teams have registered from around the US and Canada including Connecticut,
Vermont, Louisiana, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. 70 to 80 teams are projected to participate.
Andy Hergesheimer, former rink manager at Stump Town Ice Den, has been hired to manage ice
operations and site prep. A $12,000 Special Event Grant has been applied for from the
Montana Dept. of Tourism. Grant recipients will be announced in November.
d. Other Events: Western B Basketball Tournament will take place February 25-28 at Flathead High
School. Montana Spartan Race, May 9-10. This year Spartan is offering 2 events: The Beast (5/9)
and The Sprint (5/10). The Beast is a more extreme race that brings in a higher travel demographic.
The addition of a second day to the event along with the stronger draw of The Beast should result
in the sale of more room nights. NBC Sports is considering filming the Montana Spartan Race.
8,000 — 8,500 participants are projected over the two days. High School Rodeo Finals will take place
June 9-13 at Majestic Valley Arena.
Meetings & Conventions Updates: Rob attended IMEX America, the largest meeting planner show
in the US, in Las Vegas in October. KCVB partnered with Glacier Country and the Missoula and
Whitefish CVB's to attend the event. KCVB offered $10,000 credit to conference organizer's master
account as a booking incentive. Two RFP's were received. Lack of property options in our market
was a challenge. Most planners were looking for properties that are at least 4-star. TBID member
sales directors will be updated on information gathered at IMEX America. Staff is developing a list of
planners in the Pacific Northwest and conferences held in Montana on an annual basis. A CRM
program will be launched using E-Blasts every two months to build rapport and showcase local
properties.
f. Marketing Updates: Diane attended travel media events in Portland and Seattle in October. She
met with 34 travel writers in Seattle and 18 in Portland. She'll attend a similar event in San
Francisco, November 6. Northwest Traveler will publish an article about the Montana Pond Hockey
Classic in the next issue as a result of the Seattle media event. A TIP Grant of $63,500 was applied
for and received. A 2-to-1 match, grant funds will be used to complete the Kalispell way -finding
project. Winter Travel Writers FAM - week of February 24, 2015. Focus is on extreme outdoor
winter sports. Winter Promotion — online banner ad campaign in Chicago based on direct flight
December —April. Diane attended Calgary Women's Show in October. Attendance was strong and
KCVB is considering attending Women's Show in Edmonton.
KCVB is sponsoring a Social Media Workshop October 12. The workshop will be facilitated by Tia
Troy, PR and Marketing Director for Glacier Country and is open to members of TBID, Kalispell
Chamber, Kalispell Downtown Association and Glacier Country. Results of ITRR study showing what
visitors see as desirable traits of downtown areas was shared: essentially local businesses and
attractions that are clean, attractive, safe and inviting. An online booking system that would
eliminate 3rd party fees was discussed. KCVB would pay annual fee that would be $9,900, based on
market size. More research will be done.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, Please Contact
Chris Walters, Board Chairman, chris.walters@hilton.com or 406-758-2570
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808