Tourism Commission

Tourism Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 3:30 PM Mayor’s Boardroom, City Hall 210 Lottie St Bellingham, June 24, 2025 WA 98225 Audio Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Tourism Commission meeting (video) was called to order by the Chair, Peter Fraizer, at 3:32 PM. Members: Council Representative: ☒ Peter Frazier (Tourism Commission Chair) ☒ Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair ☒ Christine Jenkins, LTAC ☒ Craig Jewell Ex-Officio: ☒ Kevin Coleman, LTAC ☒ Dylan Deane-Boyle, BWCT ☒ Marc Blake, LTAC ☒ Maria Coltharp, Whatcom Museum ☒ Matt Lesinski ☒ John Purdie, Mt Baker Theater ☒ Nick Kelly, LTAC ☒ Sara Holliday, LTAC Staff/ Other Panelists: ☐ Stephanie Morrell, LTAC ☒ Tara Sundin, PCDD ☒ Todd Elsworth ☒ Taylor Webb, PCDD Approve Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the meeting minutes from the May meeting by Sara Holliday, seconded by Kevin Coleman. All in favor, motion passes. Minutes approved. Agenda Items Tourism Commission 1. 2026 Draft Budget Review Tara reminded the Commission of the timeline to approve the 2026 budget. In September, our institutional partners – Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, Mt Baker Theater, and Whatcom Museum – will present to the Commission a summary of their plans for 2026. In October, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will vote on the recommendations for 2026 tourism promotion grants and the final 2026 Lodging Tax Funding Allocation budget. Tara then reviewed the draft 2026 budget which includes some changes in funding allocation from the 2025 budget. The changes include an increase in allocation for administration, an increase for the Whatcom Museum with an agreement that they will no longer apply in the annual tourism grant application process, and a new on-time budget allocation for the Waterfront Skatepark which is considered a tourism-related facility. The Commissioners had questions about the Waterfront Skatepark which will be addressed during a formal presentation during the September meeting. LTAC LTAC was called to order by the LTAC Chair, Hollie Huthman, at 4:05 PM. 2. 2025 Budget Amendment Request Staff is requesting two mid-year 2025 budget amendments to be approved by LTAC. The first request is to increase the administrative budget from $60,000 to $90,000. Staff is currently on track to overspend in the administration budget category due to the addition of a new contract specialist who assists with the tourism grants as well as additional staff time spent on creating the new online tourism grant application. The second budget request is to increase the budget allocation for World Cup from $50,000 to $300,000. An event management firm has been hired to produce the watch party events and they need to put deposits down for event equipment and other required planning to stay on track for producing quality events; however, they do not have the money to do so. LTAC members expressed concerns about whether these watch party events will actually draw visitors and produce room nights. They recognize that the budget ask is high and they’d like more information about what the funding will be spent on and what the anticipated ROI will be before they approve the full funding request amount. A motion to approve both budget requests by Marc Blake was not seconded. An amended motion was made by Sara Holliday to approve the administration budget increase from $60,000 to $90,000, increase the World Cup budget from $50,000 to $150,000, and review the World Cup budget request again in September with a detailed project budget provided. Seconded by Christine Jenkins. All in favor, motion passes. Hollie Huthman closed the LTAC meeting at 4:48 PM. Peter Frazier re-opened the Tourism Commission meeting. Other Business For the Good of the Order, Legislative Issues, and Announcements • BWCT gave an update on the Quarter 1 lodging report. Data shows that lodging was down for Q1, but April and May were up year over year likely due to business travel. • BWCT also reminded everyone that they are hosting a Tourism Education Series Event on 6/25 to discuss available 2026 tourism grants and hotel collaboration best practices. • The Mt Baker Theater announced that they will open their season tickets in July • Bellingham Symphony Orchestra is having their 50th anniversary next year that they’re calling the Golden Season. It will include a show from Yo-Yo Ma which is already almost completely sold out. • Free First Friday in August at the Whatcom Museum will include a 3-day pop up event highlighting the art installation of the Nocturnal Lantern by Heather Sparks. Public Comment No public comment was given. Upcoming Meetings • September meeting 9/23 Meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM. Minutes prepared by: Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Tourism Commission members.