09-07-16 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
3:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Minutes
Board Members Present: Janet Clark, Dan Moderie, Dawn Hendrickson, Zac Ford, Lisa Brown, Laurie Otto -Bradford
Board Members Absent: Nautam Patel
Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day
Visitors: Scott Rieke
Meeting was called to order by Dawn Hendrickson, Board Chair, at 3:09 PM.
1. Hear from the Public— none
2. TBID Safety Awareness Updates — no safety issues reported
3. Presentation and discussion — proposed campaigns and initiatives for FY17. Suzanne Elfstrom, account
rep with Partners Creative, presented information on recent campaigns and recommendations for FY17.
Partners Creative worked with KCVB to establish brand over the past six years. In 2014, Flathead County
received the highest non-resident visitor spending in the state. Now CVB is working with Partners
Creative to refocus on engaging with our target audience. Trends have developed over the past few
years that affect occupancy rates and marketing objectives: a drop in Canadian traffic due to the weak
Canadian dollar and growth in short-term rentals. The effectiveness of Social Influencers was discussed.
New media approaches in soliciting Meeting and Convention business will include a quarterly newsletter.
Partners Creative will provide information about social media campaigns so TBID members can engage.
4. Board Action
a. Approve minutes from the August 3, 2016 meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Janet Clark.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBID financial statements for July, 2016:
Action: Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Dan Moderie.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Glacier AERO sponsorship for direct winter service to ORD and SFO
Action: Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve $1,000 contribution to AERO. Motion
seconded by Zac Ford.
Discussion: AERO is negotiating with United for additional flights from Chicago and San Francisco
during the winter of 2017. Every AERO board member was requested to contribute $1,000 toward
the minimum revenue guarantee to balance the account. Additional KCVB sponsorship is done
through marketing.
5. Board Discussion
a. Board officer and member updates — discuss role of TBID Associate Members on the board. A Vice -
Chair is needed. Bylaws do not allow for board seats for associate TBID members. Scott Rieke has
attended many board meetings and been active in discussions, however is not currently eligible for
membership since Best Western is an associate member. Board has discussed extending board
privileges to associate members in past meetings. A resolution would be required to change the
bylaws. Diane will confirm proper procedure with the City Attorney. The question of allowing
associate members to sit on the board will be listed on the agenda as a board action at next month's
meeting.
b. Event updates — Dragon Boat Festival: 47 teams are competing in the festival, 11 from Canada,
2 from Washington, 2 from California. KCVB is handling the merchandise this year including a
commemorative beer cup whose purchasers will receive discounts at bars and restaurants in
Lakeside.
Pond Hockey: 60 teams deferred registration to this year's tournament since last year's event was
cancelled due to weather. Registration will open October 1 for new teams. Event will be held at
Foys Lake with Woodland Park as a backup. An alternative higher elevation location is being
researched.
c. Group, M& C updates — Group discussed whether CVB should submit bid for International Roundup
in April, 2018 which is due September 16. Event is a conference for international tour operators and
receptives. MOTBD and Glacier County have indicated they would provide sponsorships. Group
agreed to move forward as we are seeing a need to build summer M&C business. CVB will host a
meeting planner FAM Trip September 20 — 21 in cooperation with Glacier Country. TBID members
are invited to accompany the group on a trolley tour on 9/20 and an excursion on the Far West on
9/21. The group visited the Conrad Mansion, Hockaday and several lodging properties.
d. Marketing updates — Voices of Montana Tourism will hold a luncheon and business education round
table at Hilton Garden Inn on October 6.
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808