Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Carol Johnson at 7:30am. Jim McEntire led the flag salute.

Guests:

Rebecca Robideau, Realtor

Minutes:

Jack G. moved to approve March 6 and February 27 minutes. Second by Edna P. Motion passed.

Announcements:

Jon Fager announced purchase of new speaker with Joshua’s contribution of $150. Dick Pilling moved to approve the purchase of the speaker, Jim McEntire seconded. Motion passed.

47 current members, please sign up to help PABA make budget.

Government Affairs Committee meets after today’s meeting.

Fire Chief Phillips will be on KONP.

George Bergner announced to watch impact of Dodd Frank regulations and Kaj recommended asking First Federal to come update PABA.

Jack brought Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe newsletter.

Peggy Norris gave quote of the day.

Program:  Lynette Braillard, Vertigo Marketing

Since 2012 they work with destinations and cities, marketing tourism and hospitality. They use local subcontractors for video, models, etc. in their work. In 2016 for “Visit Port Angeles” they created a new website, marketing plan, image library, new branding/identity, iPad survey at Visitor’s Center to gather data.

Lodging tax is paid by visitors and that is what is reinvested in the community. Vertigo looks to increase visitation in the off season.

In 2017 they filmed a destination video for Port Angeles will release more footage in short vignettes throughout the year. Have run ads in publications like AAA Journey, Alaska Air Magazine, 1889 & Sunset Magazine, and Co-Op with OPVB in the WA State Visitor’s Guide.

Promo with Lefties where they wrapped their bus which is used region-wide.

60K brochures distributed region-wide.

2016, $23M campaign impressions and in 2017, $121M campaign impressions with record tax collections each year.

VisitPortAngeles.com stats show Portland as #1, Seattle #2 interest in our area.

Age demographic shows 25-54 years from 2016-17 with outdoors, crab fest, lavender fest as the top landing pages. 2018 will bring bicycling tourism focus, SeaTac display ads, Mariners promo, cruise ship promotions.

Northwest Travel Magazine had a full page story; journalists are very interested in Tribal heritage, local shopping & dining.

Free website listing for Port Angeles businesses. Tag photos #VisitPortAngeles, one of the highest tags.

Have YouTube channel and will share other videos.

Funds are spent more than 50 miles outside of the area. Paid ads are run for City events with a budget of $258K, they provide quarterly reports to the City, track all metrics. A key reporting metric is lodging tax, they use hotel occupancy data and compare to other local cities.

Opportunity for tourism related business: attraction tours like Underground Heritage, or guided art tour.

Submit events and videos to them, use them as a media outlet. Promote off season.

Advertise in Puget Sound Journal and other business journals? Hearing relocation numbers would be good economic pitch for solo workers wanting a better lifestyle. Also campaigned for businesses to move here.

Upcoming Meeting:

Mar 20: Jim Buck, Cascadia Rising
Mar 27: Airborne ECS
Apr 3: Mike Chapman, State Representative
Apr 10: Steve Tharinger, State Representative

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.