12-07-16 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
3:00 pm
Minutes
Board Members Present: Janet Clark, Dawn Hendrickson, Lisa Brown, Laurie Otto -Bradford, Dan Moderie, Zac Ford
Board Members Absent: Nautam Patel
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day
Visitors: Rob Brisendine, Nate Evans, Montana Sports Indoors, Micaela LaChance, Flathead Gymnastics Academy
Meeting was called to order by Dawn Hendrickson, Board Chair, at 3:05 PM.
1. Hear from the Public— None
2. KCVB Event Grant applications —Flathead Gymnastics Academy applied for an event grant for the FGA
Glacier Challenge, January 20 — 21. The organization was represented by Coach Micaela LaChance.
Glacier Challenge has 324 athletes registered. They predict 200+ room nights will be generated from the
event. FGA and Kalispell are also being considered to host the 2018 divisional tournament.
3. KCVB Event Sponsorship Report — Futsol Indoor Soccer Montana State Tournament. Rob Brisendine and
Nate Evans presented information about a possible collaboration between KCVB and Montana Sports
Indoors (MSI) to hold a state indoor soccer championship at the fairgrounds with a long-term goal of
attracting 100 teams. MSI has turf for two indoor fields. Twice that amount would be needed to
facilitate the estimated number of teams. Cost to purchase the additional turf is estimated at $75K -
$80K for which MSI has potential sponsors. Interest in Futsol is growing rapidly. There are many teams
in the state and region, but there's a lack of opportunities to play each other and no viable turf facility in
the region. The turf could be used for La Crosse also. Rob will research ways Kalispell TBID, MSI and
Flathead County might collaborate on the project.
Action: Motion was made by Lisa Brown to direct Rob to move forward with the next phase of evaluating
distinct options of underwriting a Futsol State Tournament. Motion seconded by Dawn Hendrickson.
Discussion: no other communities in the region are holding Futsol championships. Some urgency is
required to be the first to establish. More information is needed about cost and negotiating options.
Board approved unanimously.
4. TBID Safety Awareness Updates — An individual placed on the TBID Do Not Rent List has informed the
property manager that placed him there that he intends to sue. Diane will contact City Attorney to see
where TBID stands with this issue.
5. Board Action
a. Approve minutes from the November 2, 2016 meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Dan Moderie to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Janet
Clark. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approve financial statements for October, 2016:
Action: Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Lisa Brown. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
c. Approve Event Grant of $1,000 to Flathead Gymnastics Academy for the Glacier Challenge.
Action: Motion was made by Dawn Hendrickson to award a one-time grant of $1,000. Motion
seconded by Zac Ford. Discussion: The Glacier Challenge is a growing event, is well -run, and occurs
during a low occupancy period. The board emphasized that this is a one-time grant for the Glacier
Challenge, however it may be willing to provide grant funds if FGA hosts the divisional tournament
in 2018.
6. Board Discussion
a. Event updates — Pond Hockey currently has 70 teams registered. Additional women's teams are
being recruited through eblasts to regional women's leagues and registration incentives. Glacier
Half Marathon —1,000 participants signed up for the race within 4 days after registration opened
November 9t". Montana Spartan Race — contract is being finalized. A Friday night, pre -race
promotion offering incentives to visit downtown Kalispell is planned. Montana continues to be
Spartan staff's favorite event destination. Lodging packages are requested and will be promoted on
the Spartan website. Dragon Boat— 2017 Rocky Mountain Dragon Boat Championship is being
launched with objectives of attracting more out of market teams and raising the level of
competition. Invitations are going to the top teams in the US and Canada. The first 8 teams that
register and qualify for the RMC will get a free entry. A promo video for the Rocky Mountain
Championship has been produced. Survey results for the 2016 event have been received. Overall,
comments were positive and included several useful suggestions for improvements. Skijoring — CVB
has provided in -kind marketing support for this New Year's weekend event produced by the West
Shore Visitors Center.
b. Kalispell City Council Ordinance for Short Term Rentals — it appears that an ordinance capping short
term rental properties at 2% in residential zones will be approved by the Kalispell City Council. The
city is purchasing software to monitor. Winnie Storli is converting the east and west wings of the
Blue and White Motel to long-term rentals.
c. Bringing It Home Campaign — CVB is preparing to launch an incentive program to generate leads and
bookings for Meeting and Convention business from local community members. The board
reviewed and discussed the draft program guidelines.
d. Group, M& C updates — discussed details of proposed Bringing It Home Campaign.
e. Marketing updates — CVB will be monitoring tourism -related legislation in the upcoming session.
Representative Dee Brown is advocating the establishment of a trade center in Calgary. A Kalispell
Winter Activity Guide has been created and is available in print or PDF from Meche in the Visitor
Information Center.
f. CVB Year in Review meeting, in lieu of regular monthly board meeting, will be held January 11t" at
Hilton Garden Inn, 3:00 to 5:30 pm. TBID members are encouraged to attend.
g. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For further information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808