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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2001Aubum Arts Commission Monday, Oct. 8, 2001 Annual Retreat Minutes Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh; Anne Baunach; Kristen Brock; Paul Dodsworth; Bonnie Egbert; Don Gardner; Steve LcPenske, chair; Lynn Norman; Barbie Sharrard; Pam Smith Commissioners absent: Gertie Sprenger, John Stanphill (both excused) Staff present: Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager; Lori Patrick, cultural programs specialist Visitors: A1 Hicks, economic development manager; Michael Killoren, director of cultural tourism Seattle/King County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Nancy Krause, Auburn Downtown Association; David Kwok, Comfort Inn Chair Steve LePenske called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. I. Introductions and approval of September minutes Commissioner Paul Dodsworth moved that the September minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner Kristen Brock seconded the motion MOTION APPROVED In place of its regular meeting, the commission met for its annual retreat to discuss the topic of cultural tourism. Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager, introduced guests: A1 Hicks, the city's economic development manager; Nancy Krause of the Auburn Downtown Association and David Kwok of the Auburn Comfort Inn. Krause and Kwok serve on a citizen's task force charged with investigating cultural tourism in Auburn. The task force has recommended a 1-percent lodging tax to help fund cultural tourism. Hicks said the city has issued a call for a consultant to develop a cultural tourism strategy and identify city entryways. The commission will work with the consultant. II. Presentation on cultural tourism Michael Killoren, director of cultural tourism for the Seattle/King County Convention and Visitors Bureau, led the commission in a discussion on cultural tourism. All tourism is cultural tourism, Killoren said. Today's tourist is educated, affluent and in search of a personal enrichment. Twenty-seven percent of tourists visit museums and 17 percent attend a cultural event. Cultural tourism is niche marketing aimed primarily at baby boomers who are heads of households. Due to its direct link to economic development, more communities are looking to cultural tourism. (more) Auburn Arts Commission October Retreat Minutes, Page 2 Susan Sagawa said no community is too small for cultural tourism. The city must take an inventory of what it has to offer and form alliances with local business, the hospitality industry and other organizations. With the country's changing economic climate communities must work together on a regional basis and think cohesively, Killoren said. An example is a recent collaborative effort to market the "Cultural Cascades"--Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. A collective marketing effort aims to attract audiences up and down the Northwest Coast with a five-pronged plan: On Board highlights transportation options in the corridor and includes Amtrak as a major partner On Stage focuses on performing arts organizations. King County alone is home to 15 symphony orchestras, Killoren said. On View showcases visual art, public art, museums, galleries and historic landmarks. Killoren identified 190 arts and craft galleries in King County. On the Table emphasizes food, Northwest wines and brew pubs. On Fire focuses on the opening of the long-awaited Museum of Glass and the new Tacoma Art Museum, July 3. Killoren said the event opens up regional opportunities, especially with the Sounder train connection between Auburn and Tacoma. Killoren suggests cities aim to maintain "authenticity" in marketing their communities by focusing on resources the city akeady has and to preserve and enhance those existing assets for visitors. Good examples of this are Snohomish, with its antique shops and historic storefronts; rural North Carolina's Handmade in North Carolina cultural tourism campaign; and California's California Culture's Edge, which produced 13 specialized itineraries for visitors to California's three major cities. (See attachment for details). Focus on existing assets, not what you think you need, Killoren says. Commissioners identified several existing regional assets: Historic cemeteries Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens Public Art Collection Opening of Sound Transit Garage, Plaza and dedication of public art in November White River Valley Museum New Senior Center Parks BRAVO! Series (more) Auburn Arts Commission October Retreat Minutes, Page 3 Commissioners discussed using the display case at the new Sound Transit parking garage to promote regional 'attractions and highlight community assets. They also identified potential outreach partners, such as Green River Community College, The Muckleshoot Tribe, Auburn Adventist Academy, Emerald Downs, large tournaments and/or retreats that come to town and local hotels and restaurants. The hospitality industry is an effective place to distribute brochures and flyers. Commissioners were asked to come prepared to brainstorm a list of community assets at the November meeting. Killoren said comtnissioners should be inclusive but realize not everything will fit. Be realistic. Think about where you want visitors to go and where you don't want them to go. Think about what you can do to make visitors feel welcome, he said. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is Monday, Nov. 5, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1. Please note the date change due to Veteran's Day Holiday.