Tourism Commission

Tourism Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 11:00 AM Holiday Inn - Salish West Conference Room (4260 October 22, 2024 Mitchell Way) https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Tourism Commission meeting was called to order by the Chair at 11:00 AM. 1. Introductions Present: Peter Frazier (Chair), Christine Jenkins, Craig Jewell, Kelly Hart, Kevin Coleman, Marc Blake, Matt Lesinski, Nick Kelly, Sara Holiday, Stephanie Morrell, Todd Elsworth, Hollie Huthman (Council Representative), Dylan Deane-Boyle (ex-officio) Absent: Patricia Leach (ex-officio) City Staff/Other Panelists: Tara Sundin and Tayor Webb, PCDD; John Purdie, Mount Baker Theatre 2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting Minutes from June and September 2024 were approved. Agenda Items Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair, opened the LTAC meeting at 3:07pm. 1. Draft Tourism Budget Presentation p. 7 Staff gave an overview of the budget and detailed each line item. Members had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss. 2. BWCT 2025 Marketing Plan Presentation p. 9 Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism executive staff presented their 2025 marketing plan which included a promotional video and an overview the 2023-24 marketing metrics, economic impact, and priorities for the coming year. 3. 2025 Start Up and Standard Grant Allocation p. 27 LTAC members reviewed the Tourism Promotion Standard and Start Up grant applications. There were lengthy deliberations of the applications and ultimately there was not enough time to reach any funding decisions. LTAC agreed to reconvene via a Special Meeting of LTAC on October 30th at 3pm to continue deliberations. 4. 2025 Lodging Tax Budget Recommendation p. 28 LTAC did not have time to make a budget recommendation. This item will be discussed at the Special Meeting of LTAC if time allows. Otherwise, it will be moved to the November meeting. Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair, adjourned the LTAC meeting at 5:27pm. The Tourism Commission was reopened at 5:27pm for public comment. Other Business 1. Public Comment Period 2. For the Good of the Order, Legislative Issues, and Announcements Allied Arts 45th birthday, moving to a new location (across from Hotel Leo in the old Veritas Media space) Adjourned at 5:30pm Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Tourism Commission members.