03-07-18 Tourism Business Improvement District MinutesBoard of Directors Meeting
Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District
March 7, 2018
3:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Location: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Minutes
Board Members Present: Dawn Hendrickson, Janet Clark, Dan Moderie, Emily Schroeder
Board Members Absent: Shawn Campbell, Zac Ford
Staff Present: Diane Medler, Dawn Jackson, Meche Ek, Vonnie Day
Guests: Heidi Gilman, Red Lion; Scott Rieke, Best Western; Jyl Sincavage and Claire Bain, Country Inn & Suites
Meeting was called to order by Dawn Hendrickson at 3:03 PM.
1. Hear from the Public— none
2. Board Action Items
a. Approval of minutes from February 7, 2018:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Emily Schroeder.
Discussion: none. Board approved unanimously.
b. Approval of TBID financial statements for January, 2018:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to approve the financial statements. Motion was seconded by
Emily Schroeder. Discussion: None. Board approved unanimously.
c. Future direction of Pond Hockey event:
Motion was made by Janet Clark to communicate to Scott Crowder at Pond Hockey that 1) Kalispell TBID
would like to see the event continue in Kalispell, 2) The TBID will not invest in event infrastructure, 3) If
PHC comes up with an alternative plan, TBID will consider supporting the event in 2019 or beyond in a
manner similar to its support for past PHC events. Motion was seconded by Dan Moderie.
Discussion: Since weather conditions have forced cancellation of the event 2 out of 5 years, ways must
be found to mitigate weather impact or the event will need to be dropped. Many participants would
like to see the event continue. Two scenarios are being considered, both of which involve creating
infrastructure:
1. Create a shallow artificial pond in a scenic location. Scott is exploring the possibility of buying
land in the Kalispell area to establish a venue for the event and has asked whether TBID would
commit to supporting the tournament for 3 — 5 years if he does. The event would be held at that
location despite weather conditions and there would still be a risk of unsuitable ice conditions.
2. The owner of Sweet Pickins is purchasing land in the Holt Stage area and may be interested in
leasing a section of his property for the event since his business operates in summer and fall.
Cost to construct a rink and other infrastructure would be about $50,000. Board is generally positive
about the event and would like to see it continue, however is not willing to invest in infrastructure. A
venue lease or usage fee as has been done in previous years would be considered.
Board approved unanimously.
d. Approval of budget, goals and objectives, and key markets — FY19 Marketing Plan
Motion was made by Dan Moderie to approve the budget, goals and objectives, and key markets as
proposed. Motion was seconded by Emily Schroeder. A summary of the discussion follows:
Updates to the TBID marketing budget for FY'19:
• Projected revenue for FY19 is $606,000
• Component for market research to get feedback on initiatives was added for FY'19
• Includes funds for new website, replacing original website built in 2011
• Decreases in event segment budget due to changes in signature events. Dragon Boat decreased
$30,000 to $20,000 due to rollover of assets from 2017 event cancellation. $30,000 has been set
aside for a winter event, possibly Pond Hockey, Indoor Soccer or something else.
• Groups/M&C budget increased to same level as Consumer and Events
• Bed tax budget has increased from $123,000 to $130,000
• Key and emerging markets have not changed
• Geographic markets haven't changed although will focus more on LA and possibly Chicago to
capitalize on the direct flights.
• Dawn will continue to focus on state, regional and national association business, especially on
the Seattle market where we've had some success with meeting planners. Continuing focus on
interest groups, IRU, FIT's.
Marketing Goals and Objectives for FY'19:
• Similar to last year
• Social Media — get engagement from at least 10% of followers.
• #4 is a new goal, tied to research to understand effectiveness of marketing strategy.
• #5 objective - number of media stories was lowered to 10, due to the decrease in events (good
source of media stories)
• M&C objectives include increasing meeting planner database, tradeshow attendance, hosting
meeting planner FAM, targeted ad campaigns and increased referrals through Bring It Home
program
Board approved unanimously.
3. Board Discussion
a. Event updates:
Indoor Soccer
36 teams participated, 23 were from out of market. The event was well -received by players, coaches
and parents. Rob is working with Mark at the Fairgrounds to put a tentative hold on dates for next year.
b. Event grant updates:
None
C. Marketing updates:
• Diane attended the Great Outdoor and Bike Expo in Spokane February 24 — 25.
Booth was shared by Glacier Guides, show was attended by approximately 5,000 people.
• Diane will attend Calgary Outdoor Show March 24 — 25. Someone is still needed to accompany
• STIR Report shows January OCC up .08% over last year, Montana occupancy was down 1.4% for
the same period.
• The visitor guide went to the printer today, will be ready March 16.
• CVB hosted Jeff Bartlett, social influencer from Canmore, AB in January. He's been posting
and stories about his visit.
• Mike Chilcoat continues work on a winter photo shoot.
Board seats held by Lisa Brown and Emily Schroeder who both represent large properties are expiring
the end of April. Lisa Brown has resigned from the Red Lion and is moving to Marriott TownPlace in
Whitefish. Diane will send out a notice about the board vacancies to TBID members. 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. The election of new board members and
officers will be held at the April meeting and will go to City Council the following Monday night for
approval.
d. Group, M&C Updates:
• RFP's were sent for Tafel Marketing Seminar and Wilderness Risk Management Conference.
• Although Kalispell was not awarded the 2019-2020 DECA conference our proposal was well
received and showed another example of how we can accommodate large conferences using our
two conference hotels. DECA will be stay at Fairmont Hot Springs and Kalispell can reapply for
2021.
• Dawn will do a site tour for a rep from Montana Wheat Associates this month, working a lead for
a June, 2019 meeting.
• Group assistance was provided to MT Coalition Against Domestic Violence, AMA Snowbike Series
and MACE.
• Three Bring It Home leads were received. Two were for events larger than we can
accommodate. The third lead for Montana League of Cities and Towns is active.
• MT State Cup Soccer — The Discover Kalispell website is being used to display which properties
still have rooms available.
• IRU takes place April 9 —11. Two more banquet wine sponsorships are available (two have been
sold). The $250 wine sponsorship includes a ticket to the dinner and an opportunity to talk with
tour operators.
• Dawn and Diane met with Bryce Wilson, AD at Flathead High School to discuss upcoming events.
New construction at FHS will add a gym, 18 classrooms, and 3 volleyball courts and provide space
to host more statewide sports events.
• Tourico is doing a presentation for TBID members, Friday, March 23, 10 — 11am at the Kalispell
Chamber. According to the Tourico representative, as a 3rd party agent, they were responsible
for booking 1,670 room nights in Kalispell in 2017.
CVB is sponsoring 406 Hospitality, a tourism customer service seminar, March 15, 9am to noon at Hilton Garden
Inn. The seminar is free and highly recommended for front-line employees. RSVP with Meche.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:27 PM.
Respectfully Submitted: Diane Medler
For Further Information, please contact:
Diane Medler, CVB Director, diane@discoverkalispell.com or 406-758-2808