02-07-18 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
February 7, 2018
3:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Minutes
Board Members Present: Dawn Hendrickson, Lisa Brown, Janet Clark, Dan Moderie, Zac Ford
Board Members Absent: Shawn Campbell, Emily Schroeder
Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Vonnie Day
Guests: Rob Brisendine
Meeting was called to order by Zac Ford at 3:03 PM.
1. Hear from the Public— none
2. Board Discussion — Pond Hockey Classic owner Scott Crowder joined discussion by phone to recap and
discuss the future of holding the event in Kalispell. Variable weather conditions leading up to the 2018
event created unsound ice on Foy's Lake and both backup locations, forcing cancellation of the event.
Rob and Scott spent two full days searching for alternative locations and trying to condition the ice at
Shady Lane Pond. The decision to cancel was made after attempts to build the ice to sufficient levels at
the only viable alternative location failed. Other ice events in the area that weekend were cancelled also.
CVB held a gathering at Moose's for teams that still came for event. The Moose's event was attended by
24 teams coming from Massachusetts, California, British Columbia and Alberta. Teams were
overwhelmingly supportive and understanding. Cancellation of the Pond Hockey Classic has been forced
two of the five years. One year it was held at Woodland Park due to unsafe ice on Foy's Lake. Given the
event's popularity, alternatives are being researched. Other lakes, sliding dates, offering an alternative
event as a backup and creating an artificial venue have been considered. The only one that appears
worth further consideration is the artificial venue. Information is being gathered on several possible
locations. Registration for 2018 teams has been refunded less the $100 deposit. Player hats are being
mailed to teams. A decision whether to hold the event in 2019 will be made in March or April of 2018.
3. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from January 11, 2018:
Motion was made by Zac Ford to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Dan Moderie.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of TBID financial statements for December, 2017:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the financial statements. Motion was seconded by
Dan Moderie. Discussion: Whitefish Credit Union savings account has been opened. Board approved
unanimously.
c. Approval of projected revenue for FY'19:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to set the projected revenue for FY'19 at $600,800. Motion was
seconded by Lisa Brown. Discussion: The new Country Inn & Suites will likely join the TBID, although it
is unknown what the balance will be between new revenue it will generate for the TBID and how much
will be pulled from existing TBID members.
A strong pull is expected from the new Whitefish Marriott. Since the first 2 quarters of FY'18 have
shown an increase of 2% and 0% respectively over last year, the board based projected revenue for
FY'19 on the actual numbers from the first two quarters of FY'18 plus last year's 3rd and 41" quarter
numbers. Board approved unanimously.
4. Board Discussion
a. Event updates:
Indoor Soccer
18 teams have signed up in the last 2 weeks, bringing the total to 30 registered teams from
Missoula, Helena, Spokane, Sandpoint, Cranbrook, Nelson and Calgary. The event is sanctioned
by US Soccer and teams can earn points from GotSoccer for participating in the event.
Dragon Boat Festival
Several new teams from California and British Columbia have registered for the 2018 event.
Pond Hockey —see #2 Board Discussion above
b. Event grant updates:
Tickets are available to TBID members for the Rocky Mountain Extreme Bull Riding Championship
February 9 — 10. AMA Snow Bike Series is taking place February 24 at the Fairgrounds. Dawn
expressed appreciation for properties that provided complimentary rooms for the FHS Wrestling
Tournament staff. The event grant budget has been allocated for FY'18.
c. Marketing updates:
Content and photos are being put together for the new visitor guide which will come out mid -
March. The CVB hosted Jeff Bartlett, a social media influencer from Canmore, Alberta for 5 days
in January. In spite of bad weather, he was able to ski at Whitefish and Blacktail resorts,
snowmobile and cross-country ski. He'll provide photos and blog and social media posts. Diane is
representing Kalispell at the Great Outdoor and Bike Expo in Spokane, February 24 — 25 and at the
Calgary Outdoor Expo the 3rd weekend of March. She is creating a flyer for the shows and will send out
a request for Outdoor Packages to include. An additional Kalispell representative is needed for the
Calgary show.
Board seats held by Lisa Brown and Emily Schroeder who both represent large properties are expiring
the end of April. Diane will send out a notice. Board officer seats: vice -chair Zac Ford is moving to
board chair and Janet Clark is stepping down as treasurer so the vice-president and treasurer positions
are open.
A motion was made by Janet Clark to renew the TBID membership in the Kalispell Downtown
Association at the $1,000 Silver level. Motion was seconded by Lisa Brown. Discussion: the budget
for sponsorships is $3,000. The KDA sponsors several TBID events every year. Board approved
unanimously.
Montana High School Association:
In 2019 Kalispell is hosting the State AA Tennis Tournament, May 17 — 18; Speech Tournament,
January 25 — 26; and Track and Field, May 24. CVB is meeting with Bryce Wilson about 2019 golf
events not yet committed.
d. Group, M&C Updates:
RFP's have been submitted for Retired Shooters Association, DECA and MT Indoor Soccer Check -In.
Group assistance was provided to Sky Wagon Adventure, Glacier Conservancy, Confluence, the
Audubon Society and several others. Six Bring It Home leads were received at the Kalispell Chamber
luncheon. MT State Cup Soccer — all but three hotels have provided packages. The Discover Kalispell
website is being used to display which properties still have room. IRU takes place April 9 —11.
Sponsorships are available to TBID hotels and can be customized. DECA - CVB proposal was sent to
Bozeman through a contact at Museum of the Rockies and was delivered by Rocky the T-Rex along
with chocolates and a card of appreciation. Notification of the board's decision will be available
February 15. POMA's meeting planner discussed her positive experience with the Kalispell CVB in
Empowerment for Meeting Planners by POMA's.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:02 PM.
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808