Tourism Commission

Tourism Commission/Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 2:00 PM October 24, 2023 Public Works Operations - Room 111 https://meetings.cob.org Members Present: Matt Lesinski, Peter Frazier, Todd Elsworth, Craig Jewell, Kevin Coleman, Stephanie Morrell, Hollie Huthman, Christine Jenkins, Marc Blake, Sara Holliday, Kelly Hart and Dylan Deane-Boyle, ex- officio Members Absent: Patricia Leach, ex-officio Staff Present/Other Panelist Present: Tara Sundin, PCDD, Shannon Taysi, PCDD, John Purdie, Mount Baker Theatre - Call to Order The Tourism Commission meeting was called to order by the Chair at 2:00 PM. Agenda Items Public Meeting 1. 2024 Budget Overview Tara Sundin reviewed the draft budget. She briefly discussed the 2023 special projects and the proposed funding for Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, Whatcom Museum, Mt. Baker Theatre, Grant Program and Signature Events in 2024. 2. Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Presentation Dylan Deane-Boyle shared an overview of 2023. He also reviewed the Tourism Marketing Plan and reviewed their goals for 2024. Tourism Commission Meeting Adjourned LTAC Convened Hollie Huthman called the LTAC meeting to order. Tara Sundin revisited the terms of disclosing any conflicts of interest and explained why Hollie Huthman would not be able to vote on Bellingham Exit funding for 2024 due to the fact that her venue would be used as an event space. This creates a financial conflict as a Council member she must recuse herself. 3. Review and Ranking of the 2024 Tourism Grant Applications The Committee ranked and reviewed the submitted applications. After deliberation they approved the following entities be funded at these amounts: 2024 Standard Grant Recommendations Applicant Activity / Event Amount Recommended Allied Arts of Whatcom County 2024Cultural Connections $27,000 Outreach Bellingham Bells 2024 Season $45,000 Marketing/Tournament Bellingham Festival of Music 2024 Season $25,000 Marketing/Operations Bellingham Symphony Orchestra 2024 Season $19,500 Marketing/Operations CASCADIA International 2024 Film Festival $32,000 Women’s Film Festival Marketing/Operations Downtown Bellingham Downtown Sounds $25,000 Partnership 20th Anniversary Promotion Max Higbee 2024 April Brews Day $27,000 Marketing/Operations Pickford Film Center 2024 DOCTOBER $11,184 Promotion Scottish Dance Society 2024 Marketing/Operations $7,750 of Bellingham Scottish Gathering SeaFeast 2024 SeaFeast $30,000 Marketing/Operations SPARK Museum of Electrical 2024 Marketing of Museum $26,300 Invention Sustainable Connections 2024 Eat/Drink/Explore $20,000 Whatcom Marketing/Operations Village Books/Paper Dreams 2024 Chuckanut Writers $10,471 Conference Marketing/Operations Whatcom Events 2024 Multiple Event $40,000 Marketing/Operations Whatcom Museum “Greatest Wildlife Exhibit” $15,000 Marketing  Wild Buffalo 2024 Wild Buffalo Events $21,000 Marketing/Canadian Outreach Total $382,205 2024 Start-Up Grant Recommendations Applicant Activity / Event Amount Recommended Paper Whale Noisy Waters Event $5,000 Marketing/Operations Paper Whale Fire Festival $5,000 Marketing/Operations Shoestring Circus Circus Marketing/Operations $5,000 Total $15,000 Additionally, the Committee voted to approve the following budget details for 2024: Expense ARPA Lodging Tax Administration Salaries, ICAP, Purchasing $85,000 Institutional Bellingham Whatcom $500,000 County Tourism Mount Baker Theatre $506,885 Whatcom Museum of $183,101 History and Art Grants Tourism Promotional Grants $397,205 Special Projects Signature Events (2) $120,000 County-wide Wayfinding $15,000 Planning (previously approved) County-wide Wayfinding $250,000 Implementation (previously approved) Other Special Projects $200,000 ($100k previously approved) Total $2,157,191  Reserve $400,000 The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommends approval of the entire budget. LTAC Adjourn 5. Update on Traffic Boxes / Banners Shannon Taysi gave an update on the Traffic Box and Banner Projects. She said she has received artwork from 15 different artists for the traffic boxes. She is recommending the Arts Commission do the review to narrow down the specific artwork for each box. The Commission members were in support of this recommendation. She said the Banner steering committee is recommending Katrina Lyon as the graphic designer to work on the banner designs. She said she has a meeting scheduled for late November with the designer and the steering committee members to discuss initial concepts. Misc. Tara Sundin wanted to also suggest the Commission consider using some funding (up to 100k) for downtown beautification such as window coverings for vacant spaces. She said she will also invite Bellingham Exit and NW Tune-up to present at the January meeting. Peter Frazier moved and Christine Jenkins seconded to approve the budget. All in favor, motion carries. Other Business 1. Public Comment Period Cheryl Crooks expressed gratitude for CASCADIA funding. 2. For the Good of the Order, Legislative Issues, and Annoucements