08-02-17 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
August 2, 2017
3:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Minutes
Board Members Present: Zac Ford, Dawn Hendrickson, Lisa Brown, Shawn Campbell
Board Members Absent: Laurie Bradford -Otto, Janet Clark, Dan Moderie
Guests: Jan Stoddard and Carman Levick with MOTBD, Arlin Bird, Manager Hilton Garden Inn
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day, Joe Unterreiner
Meeting was called to order by Dawn Hendrickson at 3:07 PM.
1. Hear from the Public — none
2. Presentation by Jan Stoddard, Bureau Chief of Industry Services & Outreach at the Montana Office of
Tourism and Business Development. MOTBD is responsible for marketing Montana, providing the
inspiration to visit the state and addressing perceptions about the visitor experience. Research indicates
visitors prefer a safe urban experience with amenities, are interested in new experiences, but want to
feel safe. People would like to come but there is a perception that Montana is hard to get to and hard to
get around. Local businesses are encouraged to update listings on visitmt.com which receives more than
2 million visits per year. 17% of those visiting the website exit on a business listing. MOTBD advised to
be prepared for an influx of visitors on the way to and from the solar eclipse August 21, especially since
national parks are offering free admission August 25.
3. Board Action Items
a. Approve minutes from the July 5, 2017 meeting:
Action: Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Shawn
Campbell. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. TBID financial statements for June, 2017:
Action: Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the financial statements. Motion seconded by
Shawn Campbell. Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a. Event Updates:
Indoor Soccer — the organizing committee is working on operations. A soccer club in Nelson, BC with
1,000+ players is partnering on promoting the event in eastern British Columbia. The Missoula Strikers
have committed to bringing several teams. Team capacity may be an issue. The first tournament will be
a test to see if we can drive enough demand to get a sufficient return on lodging. If so, venues will need
to be expanded for future tournaments. The website and online registration will open early September
on gotsoccer.com. Dragon Boat — Montana Lottery will be a sponsor, plans for the Dragon Bus are
underway, 38 teams have registered to date including 5 Canadian teams.
b. Event Grant status update:
FVHS - the contract with roomroster.com was effective for one year only. FVHS found the direct
relationship with the hotels worked much better for them financially. FVHS is soliciting TBID properties
individually for sponsorships for tournaments outside of the Craft Beer event that TBID is sponsoring.
They are planning to apply for a tourism facility grant from MOTBD.
Firecracker Tournament —The KidSport parking lots and adjacent lots were filled with RV's. Event
organizers don't charge participants to camp onsite nor do owners of adjacent properties. Spots are
dispensed on a first -come first -served basis. Other tournaments in the state do charge to camp at the
venue. This will be taken into consideration if a future event grant is requested.
c. NSight destination data — uses search data from 5,000 OTA's and booking sites. KCVB comp. set is
Montana as a whole. Monthly report provides year -over -year data, top markets searching for Kalispell,
search to book conversion. Info will be used to plan short term and social media campaigns. CVB has
joined the service so data will be made available to TBID members.
d. Marketing Updates — Jan Stoddard provided an update on Chinese travel market trends and visitation to
Glacier Park. More direct flights are being offered from Shanghai to Seattle. Chinese visitors typically
come in two waves, the first looking for low cost lodging, Chinese food and limited retail. The second
wave is made up of very high end travelers. Interest in dark skies is shifting to Glacier Park which is
expected to attract an influx of Chinese visitors. STIR Report showed year over year June occupancy up
3.2%, ADR up 2.2% and Rev Par up 5.4%. Strong in comparison to Montana and U.S. trends. GPIA sends
CVB a flight schedule each month. It is available to interested TBID members. GNP set a new record for
June with visitation up 28% over 2016 even though the road opened 12 days later. A fire crisis
communication plan is being implemented along with Glacier Country, Whitefish CVB, GNP, and Forest
Service. Diane will provide talking points to share with staff. Website stats — the site performed well in
the 4t" Quarter with 68,963 users. The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, selected the
Kalispell Chamber/CVB and the CVB Winter Marketing Campaign for its highest honor in communication
excellence at the national meeting in Nashville in July. The campaign was credited with helping expand
air service on United's direct flight from Kalispell to SFO, July through September. Kalispell Chamber
was a finalist for Chamber of the Year and won an additional award for membership retention.
Kalispell VIC is one of several locations surrounding GNP that were invited by Clif Bars and American
Park Network to participate in a nationwide promotion focused on national park gateway communities.
Clif Bars provided 3,000 bars to the VIC to give away to summer visitors as a way of introducing the
product to national park visitors. The City Council will vote on August 21 to approve the FY18 TBID
budget and marketing plan.
e. Group, M&C Updates:
National parks are offering free admission on August 25. GNP is offering a free dark skies event on the
same date. Tickets are required and must be picked up at Apgar or St. Mary's Visitors Center
bookstores. CVB is assisting with a FAM for Voyageurs, a French tour company here on September 7
researching Glacier to Yellowstone tours. CVB is hosting a FAM with Glacier Country on September 21.
27 meeting planners have applied to participate in the CVB Meeting Planner Fam the last week of
September. Dawn is in the process of selecting four planners to attend. An individual meeting planner
with do a FAM visit on September 18. Lodging packages are needed for the Flathead Celtic Festival,
September 16. International Round -Up - Dawn is working with Glacier Country and MOTBD on
sponsorships. Montana Young Professionals have agreed to hold their conference here in June or July of
2019.
Vacation Races — Rob reported that the company is asking about TBID's future interest in their event.
They are planning to keep the event in East Glacier for next year, although will be moving the date up by
one week. Survey results will be available in a couple of weeks and will be discussed at a future board
meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:47 PM
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808