HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-2016 Meeting Minutes 10.13.16
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE & AUBURN TOURISM BOARD
MINUTES
Thursday, October 13, 2016 @ 3:00PM
25 West Main Street City Hall, Executive Conference Room – 2nd Floor
LTAC BOARD MEMBERS:
Nancy Backus, Andy Cho, Bob Fraser, Julie Krueger, Ronnie Roberts, Satpal Sohal, Chantelle Herburger,
ATB BOARD MEMBERS:
Nancy Backus, Bob Fraser, Dana Hinman, Julie Krueger, Ron Roberts, Satpal Sohal, Jennifer Corona, Rebecca
Frisch, Jamelle Garcia, Tonia Jones, Vimol Khera, Gary Longley, Reggie Matto, Ashley Mohoric, Laci Qualls,
Manny Sekator, Chris Wehmeyer
STAFF:
Dana Hinman, Doug Lein, Lorraine Chachere
In Attendance: Lorraine Chachere, Ashley Mohoric, Jamelle Garcia, Ronnie Roberts, Satpal Sohal, Bob
Fraser, Julie Krueger, Aman Ghag (Comfort Inn),
Community Members: Jonathon Shea (La Quinta), Jasmine Cawley (Muckleshoot Casino)
Special Guests: Jill Boltman, APEX Media; Jennifer Allen-Tate, Earth & Sky Studio, LLC
Not Present: Nancy Backus, Dana Hinman, Doug Lien, Jennifer Corona, Tonia Jones, Vimol Khera, Gary
Longley, Reggie Matto, Laci Qualls, Chantelle Herburger, Chris Wehmeyer
AGENDA:
I. Call to Order by Lorraine.
II. Roll Call Lorraine.
LTAC NOTE: Sharon Premia (Travelodge Suites) resigned from the board as of 10/4/2016.
Replacement unknown.
ATB NOTE: Jeffrey Escobar is no longer at La Quinta. Hoa Tran and Marissa Gabenro are no longer
at the Outlet Collection. Replacements unknown.
III. Introduction of new Tourism Coordinator, Lorraine Chachere
IV. Guest Speaker – Presentation by APEX: (Please refer to addendum)
Video – The video might have a voice over discussing history or music. Concern was
brought up about the timing of the video shoot coinciding with possible inclement
weather. Is it possible to shoot in Spring instead? Lorraine will assist with the compilation
of existing footage belonging to member partners and identified sites that might be
missing.
Website – Board members wish to preview site before its launch.
Fourth Quarter Marketing Strategy – Discussion ensued about media buy options of the
radio options (WARM 106.9 vs CBS). The former focuses on the 35 - 54 year old woman
listener who would be in charge of travel planning. CBS has a strong digital footprint.
IDEAS: Veterans Day event has a new and exclusive partnership with KOMO, so the
proposal should not include them for this purpose as well as they have significant
coverage already secured.
It was suggested instead for the Strategy to commence mid-November beginning
with the Holiday Market (Nov. 12 & 13 at Emerald Downs which will feature over
100 vendors and a visit to Santa) through February instead. The focus could be on
holiday shopping, Magical Night of Giving, A Christmas Story production, New
Year’s Eve. Identify ROI by offering hotel discount with receipt from Outlet?
Muckleshoot to be only casino to offer virtual reality game in Club space.
Eventually will add two player capacity. Free comedy nights every Wednesday
night.
Suggestions offered by Jen included focusing on ski & stay packages with showing
lift tickets for hotel discount, possible cocoa amenity for staying overnight.
It was asked that if the hotels could provide zip codes of their guests to better identify
and focus regional markets to buy in.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
V. Approve September 8, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Tabled to the next meeting as they have not been completed yet.
VI. Update on 2016 Grant Activity
July 10 – Nostalgia Drag Race -Paid, $4,000
July 17 – Diesel Drags – Paid, $4,000
Aug 6&7 – 3on3 – In process, $4,500
September 9 – Auburn Art Walk – Need more details, $1,400
September 11 – Mexican Independence Day – Paid, $4,000
September 24 & 25 – Tough Mudder – Paid, $8,500
Remaining Events for Recipients:
October 14 & 15 - Geocaching $3,500
November 5 - Veteran’s Day Band Competition, $6,500
The preliminary report generated by Tough Mudder – Seattle was shared with everyone
present in regards to the demographics of their participants as well as the documented
tracking of how many stayed overnight, if it was their first visit to South King County, and
the likelihood of their returning for next year’s event, as well as the likelihood they would
recommend to friends/family to visit the area. The Tough Mudder group will release the
second portion of their study pertaining to the attendee’s hotel visits and habits and this
information will be shared with members when it becomes available, approximately early
November.
VII. New Business – At the end of each meeting here on out, members are invited to share pertinent
information about their venue with each other.
Gosanko Chocolates will open in a new site across from City Hall, complete with a walk up window.
It will offer soup and salad options in addition to beverages and chocolates. The anticipated
opening time is 2-3 weeks from now.
Within the next few meetings, the LTAC will need to decide how to award grants with less funding
for the 2017-18 period, as well as commence the call for applications as 2016 grant applicants
submitted applications in December and presented in January.
X. Adjournment – Satpal makes motion to adjourn. Julie seconds the motion. Motion passes
unanimously.
NEXT MEETINGS:
DATE: Thursday, November 10, 2016 @ 3:00PM, City Hall Executive Conference Room
Thursday, December 8, 2016 @ 3:00PM, City Hall Executive Conference Room