HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2019 Minutes (2) EXPLORE
04 * Auburn Tourism Board Meeting
�� March 21, 2019— 10:00 AM
Council Chambers
EXPLOREAUBURN.COM MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:06am by Vice Chair McAlister.
Board Members present: Chairwoman Lara Mae Chollette (via phone);Vice Chair
McAlister; Board Members Ron Roberts;Julie Kruger; Kacie Bray; Edgar Vidal.
Excused Absence: Board Member Malia Dale.
Staff Present: Lorraine Chachere,Tourism Coordinator.
APPROVE FEBRUARY MEETING MINUTES
Board Member Bray motioned to approve the February meeting minutes. Board
Member Kruger seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY 6-0.
II. OLD BUSINESS
1) Guest Speaker: Dustin Lawrence, Senior Planner, City of Auburn
During the discussion with Ingrid Gaub, Director of Public Works on wayfinding
signage at the February Tourism Board meeting, several additional questions
arose from Board Members that were more in the realm of Community
Development. Planner Lawrence provided an overview of signs, relevant codes,
murals, art, signage on vacant property.
Board Members expressed concern with the growth of the city the desire to
keep visitors from traveling to surrounding communities for their needs, the
ability to have attractive modern signage to replace existing ones, and how other
cities have recently implemented signage, or even incorporates city gems into
art via murals in a non-advertising fashion. With the prospect of Fieldhouse USA
coming to The Outlet Collection brining a possible 1.5 million people to Auburn
as they have done in other cities, the Tourism Board wishes to prepare for these
visitors by ensuring visitors can be directed to tourism assets easily.
2) Tourism Updates:
• Tourism Budget—The financials through January 2019 were presented.
• 2019 Trade Show Calendar and Tourism Marketing Calendar—A
calendar with an overview of prospective tradeshow participation to
generate awareness of Auburn as an ideal destination and cultivate hotel
bookings was provided for the year. As well as a community visibility
calendar to have a presence in the Auburn area.
• Port of Seattle Spotlight Grant—With the low cost and visibility
associated with the Port of Seattle's Spotlight Grant program, Economic
Development Manager Lein encouraged the submission of an application
for the program. Auburn was selected as a grant recipient and the ad
that will be created by the City's Multimedia will be installed April 15t and
run through Q2.
III. NEW BUSINESS—ACTION ITEM
• Emerald Downs Marketing Collaboration Proposal—Board
Member Vidal discussed Emerald Downs proposal for a
marketing collaboration with Auburn Tourism for April -
December 2019. The request was initiated by the Tourism Board
at the June 2018 meeting.
Board Member Vidal expressed that an option in the proposal
would exclusively promote Auburn hotels or the ability to work
with hotels in surrounding communities that have expressed
interest in a partnership with them. While the proposal focused
on marketing Auburn hotels, Board Member Bray suggested that
the focus be on Explore Auburn as significant time and resources
were invested in the rebranding, and that the website itself
promotes the hotels as well as other Auburn businesses.
A discussion ensued assessing maximizing benefits of pre-arrival
vs. day of attendance at Emerald Downs, as well as promoting
the Choose Your Own Adventure, visual signage such as on site
banners, print/brochures. Based on the feedback given, Emerald
Downs will provide another proposal to be evaluated at the
Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 9th.
IV. NEXT MEETINGS
Special Meeting Tuesday,April 9th at LOAM in Council Chambers
ATB Meeting, Thursday, April 18th at 10AM in Council Chambers
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no more business to •iscuss,the a-ting was adjourned at
11:33AM.
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RACHAEL MCALISTER, VICE CHAIR LI 'RAINE CHACHERE, TOURISM COORDINATOR