HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 01/22/2018Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee Agenda
Mission: Promote the City as a destination
to increase tourism and business development
Unless otherwise noted, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets every other Month on the 4rd Monday at 4:00 p.m. in
Centennial North & South Conference Room, 400 West Gowe Street, Kent WA 98032.
For information on the above item(s), or upcoming meetings contact Julie Pulliam (253) 856-5702.
Committee Members: Bill Boyce, Chair, Tim Higgins, John Casey, Barbara Smith,
David Kwok, Andrew Hutchison, Andrea Keikkala, Bryan Powell
City Staff: Ben Wolters, Julie Pulliam
CHANGE OF MEETING LOCATION
Ducleaux Cellars
West Valley Business Park
19219 68th Ave. S. Suite M-110
Kent, WA
January 22, 2018
AGENDA
4:00 p.m.
Item Description Action Speaker(s) Page Time
1. Welcome & Introductions NO Bill Boyce 1 min.
Ducleaux Cellars Owner Toby Turlay
2. Approval of September 25, 2017 Minutes YES Bill Boyce 1 1 min.
3. Budget Update NO Ben Wolters 3 5 min.
4. Ask – Washington Open Invitational YES Jeff Ellison 5 5 min.
Golf Tournament - $12,800
5. Ask – First Washington $5,000 YES Erin McCallum 9 5 min.
6. Chamber 2018 Contract increase YES Andrea Keikkala 10 10 min.
7. Vacant LTAC Position NO Ben Wolters 5 min.
8. JayRay Presentation - VisitKent.com NO Bridget Baeth 16 25 min.
9. JayRay 2018 Contract YES Michelle Wilmot 17 25 min.
10. Next Meeting - March 26, 2018
11. Adjournment
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee September 25, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
Page 1 of 2
Date: September 25, 2017
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Centennial North & South
Attending: Committee & Chair; Bill Boyce, Andrew Hutchison, Andrea Keikkala, Barbara
Smith, Tim Higgins
City Staff & Guests; Ben Wolters, Julie Pulliam, Michelle Wilmot, Erin Buck,
Colin Campbell, Jason Thomsen, Bridget Baeth, Florin Mehedint, Ryan Millard,
Mike Raven
Agenda: Called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm
1. Welcome & Introductions & Corrections
Welcome and introductions
Move item #5 to item #7
2. Approval of the June 26, 2017 Minutes
Andrea Keikkala moved to approve th e June 26, 2017 minutes and Tim Higgins
seconded, motion passed 6-0.
3. Budget
Ben presented the budget as printed in the packet, sho wing the operating budg et as
well as the Lodgi ng Tax Revenue shown from month to month. Wolters explains that
the YTD Revenue is 8% above 2016. It is expected for $300,000 in revenue by the end
of 2017, which would mean $20,000 in addition al revenue if the curr ent pace is kept.
There is also the potential of three new hote l locations in the next three years, Holiday
Inn Express, Extended Stay an d the Ci ty Sale of the Naden Si te, which has
tremendous interest to the hotel market.
4. JayRay Presentation- VisitKent.com
Site re-designs:
JayRay redesigned the existing site to inspire Kent as a choice, and to tell the story
that goes beyond the businesses, and into the community. The ne w site encourages
overnight stays, offering a three day itinerar y to nearby places in Kent. The re-design
targets lowering the site bounce rate of 87%, which measures viewers who leave the
site after looking at the first page. By us ing simple and clean pres entation, JayRay
hopes to reduce that number, and keep visitors on the Visit Kent site.
Word Press is the software used to design the new website; it includes its own se arch
engine optimization which will help Kent be found as an option for food, dining and
hotel stays. A search bar at the top of the pa ge will also be added, a feature that the
previous site did not have. This will help visitors better pin point the information that
they need. Viewers can now enjoy a mobile responsive site as well, which means the
page will adjust in size and dimensions specific to the type of device being used
(laptop, I-Phone, Tablet).
The addition of an events calendar will be used on the new website; this calendar can
import from your own personal calendar, as well as be used for re-occurring events.
The re-design will also be integrated with TripAdvisor to pull in hotel and restaurant
1
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee September 25, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
Approval Pending
Page 2 of 2
listings. Using TripAdvisor allows information to be cu rrent and up to date as they
manage things like closures, address changes and hours. TripAdvisor is also a fair way
to display rankings for businesses based on customer reviews and quality. They use an
algorithm that accounts for the number of reviews against the quality of reviews, and
generates a rating for the establishment.
Website Demo/Templates:
The new site offers interactive templates that allow you to hover, search and include
moving photos, as well as the integration of photos from so cial media. Another
interactive addition is through an active map that shows viewers close attractions in
the area of Kent, such as the Space Needle and popular cit ies such as Po rtland,
Oregon.
The integration of Trip Advisor will be displayed through cards that will be listed based
on the ranking established by TripAdvisor. The cards will populate in order and the
viewer will be able to see things like ratings, addresses, hours and photos.
Feedback: The committee feedback focused o n the algorithm used by TripAdvisor for
hotel rankings. The worry is that there would too much faith placed on reviews that
could easily be skewed with inaccurate and false statements. JayRay representatives
assured the committee that these reviews would be the average of all reviews and
represent current market best practices.
Bill Boyce would like JayRay to research more in formation on how TripAdvisor
calculates their ratings, and how they acco unt for outliers and po ssible false reviews.
This information will be emailed to members in the coming weeks, in preparation for
the Visit Kent website going live on October 16th.
5. Vacant LTAC Position
Wolters explains the vacant position at the Marriott Town Suites and plans to reach out
to new ma nagement. Wolters also will reach out to the new General Manger with
Ramada Inn, as there may be two vacant positions to fill. Wolt ers will repor t the
finding of the vacancies at the next meeting.
6. Next Meeting Date December 4, 2017
Bill Boyce announces the next meeting date of 12-4-17, to allow for personal holiday
schedules as well as tourism schedules.
Next Meeting
December 4, 2017 @ 4 p.m.
Meeting adjourned
5:15 p.m.
Submitted
Julie Pulliam, LTAC Secretary
2
2015 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018
Actual Actual
Adjusted
Budget YTD Est. Actual
Adopted
Budget
Beginning Fund Balance 371,803 394,516 472,260 469,386 469,386 415,200
Revenues
Lodging Tax 279,466 293,347 280,500 310,037 310,000 286,110
Miscellaneous Income 411 1,512 500 4,171 4,200 500
Total Revenues 279,878 294,859 281,000 314,209 314,200 286,610
Expenditures
Services & Charges 10,000 10,311 16,560 16,681 16,681 17,250
Marketing 144,977 166,191 168,000 208,623 208,623 168,000
Projects & Events 23,665 25,000 75,000 25,000 25,000 75,000
Chamber 18,500 18,500 18,500 18,500 18,500 18,500
ShoWare Branding & Marketing 60,022 (13) 60,000 60,000 60,000 60,000
Total Expenditures 257,164 219,989 338,060 328,804 328,804 338,750
Change in Fund Balance 22,713 74,870 (57,060) (14,596) (14,604) (52,140)
Ending Fund Balance 394,516 469,386 415,200 454,791 454,782 363,060
PRELIMINARY Lodging Tax Operating Fund Report
as of December 31, 2017
3
Preliminary Year End Lodging Tax Revenue by Month
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Variance
% of
Change
January 12,759 13,395 13,336 16,651 17,552 18,474 922 5.3%
February 10,621 10,886 12,550 13,424 14,410 15,163 753 5.2%
March 14,020 11,641 13,004 13,870 16,517 17,130 614 3.7%
April 12,828 13,023 14,787 14,512 17,505 19,187 1,682 9.6%
May 14,285 14,764 16,742 17,421 18,210 21,895 3,685 20.2%
June 13,681 14,664 15,636 17,213 21,337 21,174 (163) -0.8%
July 15,267 17,290 20,058 22,598 23,960 25,904 1,944 8.1%
August 5,202 23,152 26,947 34,809 33,870 36,793 2,923 8.6%
September 25,468 28,734 33,976 38,364 38,142 39,246 1,104 2.9%
October 25,742 31,628 35,047 37,780 39,611 41,791 2,180 5.5%
November 19,629 19,525 24,710 29,028 31,007 30,307 (701) -2.3%
December 18,469 18,916 22,583 23,796 20,474 22,974 2,500 12.2%
Year to Date 187,971$ 217,618$ 249,377$ 279,466$ 292,594$ 310,037$ 17,444$ 6.0%
% Change:2.8%15.8%14.6%12.1%4.7%
as of 1/4/2018
4
KENT
Kent Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
2OL7 -2OL8 Funding Request Application
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee,s Mission:
Promote the City as a destination to increase tourism and business development.
Guidelines for applying for grants from the City of Kent's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Who may apply?Youth and amateur sports associations, schools, teams
Community/regional events organizations,
business/trade associations, event associations and
individuals. Approved Tourism Facilities.
How to submit?Complete and submit applications on line, or at a
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting, or mail a
completed original grant proposal form plus two copies
to the address below.
Where to submit?City of Kent
220 4th Ave. S.
Kent, WA 98022
Attn: Julie Pulliam
When are the deadlines?July 1, 2018 and September L,20L8 with funds to be
distributed as requested in approved application.
What is the grant size?
Lodging
Between $250.00 and $5,000.00, however, the
Tax Advisory Committee reserves the right to establish
any grant amount it sees fit, regardless of the amount
applied for.
Where can I direct questions? Call Julie Pulliam at 253-856-5702
Each grant will be judged against specific criteria. The committee will review the extent
to which the proposed project is consistent with the strategic goals of the Lodging Tax
Advisory committee and shows potential for tourism and hotel stays.
OBJECTIVES:
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 3 Strategic Goals
. CreatingPartnerships. Branding Kent as a Destinationr Sports Commission
Page 1
5
1. Who else is funding this project? Fundinq comes from player entrv fees and numerous
sponsorships,
2. What is the total budget for this project?Tntal hrrdnct n the nrn-am anrl
championship is $205,000.
3. How does your project fit with the goals of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee?. CreatingPartnershipso Branding Kent as a Destination. Sports Commission
Thi. ot ont brit"g" a profe..i.nal golf orent t. Moridia. Valley C.'rnt"y Cluh i^ h^th a two
day pro-am and a three day 54 hole championship. Golf is promoted heavily including a
military clinic on Saturday morning. The event is promoted to and brings players from
five states to Meridian Valley Country Club - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and
Alaska.
4. How many night stays do you anticipate generating from your project?
Seventy-seven of our 165 players in the championship are from more than 50 miles from
Kent and all will need to stay a minimum of 2 nights with 75olo staying 3 nights. This will
total 211 room nights when added to our 22staff nights we anticipate 233 room nights.
Project Name:Washinnfnn Onan Tnvitational
Project Background
cond ucted since t923 by the Pacific Northwest Section PGA of America. Players compete
in a two-day pro-am involving 145 players followed by the three day championship with
165 players. The event supports the Folds of Honor Foundation (www.foldsofhonor.org)
and has raised over $60,000 each of the last two years for this important charity. In
addition to the lodging revenue players are only engaged at the course for about 6 hours
of their day and will spend their time in the many restaurants in Kent as well.
Project Leader: Name and Title leff rllisonr Chief Executive Officer
Contact email je[ison{.apgahq.com
Contract phone ?6,n-atr,a-AAoA
Signature D6/C_
Other individuals involved in writing and/or implementing this grant:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Title:
Title:
Title:
Contact:
Contact
Contact:
Amount requested: $
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING (please circle one): July 1, 2018 or September 30, 2018
Page2
6
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
On a separate page(s), briefly describe the project you are proposing in two parts. In the
first part, please briefly (in 250 words, or less) provide and overview of your project, (1)
including how the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's goals will be met, (2) how the funds
will be used and how you will be able to track hotel stays and what your methodology for
tracking will be. Catalogs, pictures or brochures are appropriate to demonstrate
equipment, supplies or other items(s) requested.
In the second part, please specifically address the following in your proposal:
How many room nights do you expect to collect? Have you asked for money in the past?
what were the results? How many overnight stays did the event create?
Where and when will the project take place? Please include start and completion dates?
What will benchmark the projects progress?
Please limit your entire application response to two pages.
FINAL REPORT
If your request is granted for funding from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
you will be expected to provide at the next LTAC meeting after your event a full report on
your final project with the number of stays created. And a completed 2015-2016 Event or
Tourism Facility Lodging Tax Expenditure Report Form.
Attached: Form
! Approved for funding
[l Declined funding
Page 3
7
PGA
Pacific Northwest Section
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
The Washington Open Invitational is a 54 hole championship conducted since 1923 by the Pacific
Northwest Section PGA of America. PGA professionals and top amateurs from throughout the
Northwest compete in a two-day pro-am involving 145 players followed by the three day championshipwith165players.TheeventsupportstheFoldsofHonorFoundation@andhas
raised over $60,000 each of the last two years for this important charity. The 2017 championship was
the fifth straight year Meridian Valley Country Club has hosted the event and two year remain on the
contract. We hope to continue our relationship with the membership at Meridian Valley and the support
of these funds will naturally assist in that endeavor. In addition to our strong relationship with
Meridian Valley many of our sponsors, such as Perfect Drive, Pollard Chiropractic, Skis Painting and
Reber Ranch are Kent based businesses. Their support is instrumental in the success of the event.
The room nights will be tracked though a direct survey of our players at registration immediately prior to
the event. We have great success collecting very specific data on not only room nights but specific
hotels utilized.
Funds provided through this program will assist us with operational costs and will be spent directly with
Meridian Valley Country Club for the use of their facility. Our 2018 costs at Meridian Valley will be
course Access $9,000; Driving Range $2,000; and also for staff lodging $1,800.
We have direct access to 1,200 PGA professionals in five states and as appreciation for receiving this
funding we will be happy to partner with the city to distribute visitor information to our membership.
Not only are these 1,200 PGA professionals likely visitors to the Kent area, each represents on average
400 families that visit their golf course and rely on their PGA professional when planning golf and other
travel.
Seventy-seven of our 165 players in the championship are from more than 50 miles from Kent and all
will need to stay a minimum of 2 nights withTs%o staying 3 nights. This will total2ll room nights
when added to our 22 staff nights we anticipate 233 rcomnights. Additional room nights will be
associated with the pro-am competition.
This is our first request for funding.
The event will be conducted at Meridian Valley Country Club, 24830 136th Ave SE, Kent, with activities
scheduled over May 18-23,2018. Our success is measured by our participation - we've been full the
last few years; by our donation to charity - $60,000 each of the last two years and the engagement of our
PGA Professionals with the members of Meridian Valley Country Club.
P.O. Box 14819 I T\rmwater, WA 98511
Tel:360-466'6496 I Fax: 360-456-6745 I pacnw@pgahq.com I www.pnwpga.com
8
The spott of science, technolqy and teamwork.,
September 25,2At7
City of Kent
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee members
Kent, WA
Attn: Ben Wolters BWolters@kentlgg.sov and Julie pulliman, ipulliam@kentwa.sov
Dear City of Kent's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee,
F/RSIwashington (formerly FtRSrwashington) strives to inspire students in grades K-12th to pursue careers in science
and technology by engaging them in exciting, after-school robotics programs. over 11,000 Washington State students
comprising of 1,034 teams compete across allfour programs. of these teams, 629 compete in FIRSTLEGo League (FLl"
4th-8th grade) and 146 compete in FlRSf Tech Challenge (FTC, 7th-12th grade).
Founder Dean Kamen, a noted inventor, was worried that our youth were too obsessed with sports heroes and movie
stars. Believing that scientists and engineers should also be role models, Kamen set out to create a way to inspire kids to
be big thinkers' ln FrRsrWashington's four age-appropriate programs, industry mentors, teachers and parents team up
with students not just to build robots, but to build self-confidence and respect, and to teach youth the skills to be our
next generation of innovators and community leaders. Evaluations show studen ts who toke part are 50% more tikely to
go to college ond hltice as likely to pursue science or engineering.
Back for the fourth year, we are thrilled to bring the FlRSr LEGo League and FlRSrTech challenge state championships
to showare center in Kent on sunday, February 11, 2018. This event will bring over 1,000 students in grades 4s-12th to
Kent and help promote the city's tourism. students and their families will be travelling to Kent from all of the state.
While we do not know specifics as of yet due to the competition schedule, we are confident that we will have many
teams from Central and Eastern washington along with teams from Northwest and Southwest washington who will
advance to these state championships.
FlRSrwashington is requesting 55,000 from the City of Kent's Lodging Tax Advisory committee to financially undenarrite
the FIRSTLEGO League and F/RSITech Challenge state championships at ShoWare Center. Fr4srLEG9 League and FIRSr
Tech Challenge teams are all meeting and preparing for their exciting seasons of Hvdro Dvnamics and Relic Becovery
respectfully.
By the flrst week of December, we will have information on our website sharing hotel options for teams and families
who advance to the FLL and FTc state championships at ShoWare, We will also share information about activities that
teams and families can take advantage of during their stay in Kent.
21238 68TH AVE S
KENT, WA 98032
(2s3)236-9327
FIRSTWA.ORG
9
KBNTCHavBEROF c COMMERCE
November 27,2017
2018 City of Kent
Tourism Grant
Background
The Kent Chamber of Commerce has worked in partnership with the City of Kent since 2000 to increase
occupancy at Kent lodging facilities, to promote Kent as a site for corporate meetings and events and to
highlight tourism opportunities in Kent.
For over 10 years the Kent Chamber of Commerce has not increased the grant request and instead have
absorbed increases into our general operating budget. However, with the rising cost in staffing, inquires,
facility and supplies we have increased the grant askby 26Vo. Also, with the great recession coming to an end
and the interest in Kent increasing due to marketing efforts the level of interest and therefore staffing demand
has increased over the years.
Scope of Work
The Kent Chamber of Commerce provides services that seek to increase occupancy at City lodging
facilities and promote the City as a site for corporate meetings and events and promote City tourism
opportunities.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce has a robust Visitor's Bureau in the Kent Chamber of Commerce office at 524
W. Meeker Street, Suite 1 in order to accommodate the numerous requests for information regarding the City of
Kent. The Kent Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with the: Indging Tourism and Tax Board,
ShoWare Center, Kent Downtown Partnership, City of Kent, Washington State Visitors Guide, Jayray and local
City of Kent businesses to promote and provide visitor and business information in our Visitors Bureau. Cost:
$lo,ooo.oo
o The Visitors area in the Kent Chamber of Commerce takes up V+ of the lobby area and is patronized
on average by 3-5 people per day collecting information on the city of Kent.r Chamber will continue collecting data on people who access information from the Kent Chamber of
Commerce regarding the City of Kent.o The Kent Chamber of Commerce continues the contract with Certified Folder Display in order to
provide quality materials to businesses and individuals seeking information on the Kent area.o The Kent Chamber staff answers an average of 5-10 calls per day requesting information about the
City of Kent as a site for corporate meetings and events.
2. Continue to work with the ShoWare Center and surrounding businesses to bring conferences and events to
Kent. Cost: $3,000.00
10
The Kent Chamber of Commerce continues to provide information regarding the ShoWare Center
and events held in Kent.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce continues to partner with community organizations to bring events
to the ShoWare Center, Kent Senior Activity Center and the City of Kent such as job fairs,
technology expos and business training meetings.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce continues to plan events at the ShoWare Center to showcase the
facility to the business community in Kent and South Sound.
3. Update and publish a Kent Chamber annual directory (Business Directory and Relocation Guide). The
directory also highlights shopping, recreation and general information regarding living and doing business in
Kent. Cost: $9000.00o Yearly update and publishing of the Business Directory and Relocation Guide is a 6-month process
in which the Kent Chamber of Commerce contracts with an outside firm in creation of the Business
Directory and Relocation Guide.o In January 2018 we expect to receive the finalized copy of the 2018 Business Directory and
Relocation Guide to distribute to 3,000 businesses and residents in Kent, the surrounding areas and
to provide in relocation and visitor packets.o The 2018 guide will feature the marketing slogan that has been developed by stakeholders in the
community. Our slogan, branding statement and branding logo are prominently featured in this
publication.
o The 2018 Business Directory and Relocation Guide will also be provided to the ShoWare Center,
local hotels and businesses to be placed at Guest Services/Reception areas in order to promote and
highlight Kent businesses, shopping, recreation and general information to those coming to enjoy the
Kent community.
a
a
The Kent
$3,ooo.oo
a
a
o
Chamber of Commerce will continue to research and develop the visitors market in Kent. Cost:
The Kent Chamber of Commerce will continue to cultivate relationships with the City of Kent, Kent
Downtown Partnership and local organizations in order to create a collaborative effort in research
and development of the visitors market in Kent.
In 2015 the Kent Chamber of Commerce launched a new and improved website that has a stronger
visitor's presence. We are working to grow this presence and expand on visitor related information
as we continue to build and improve the website.
We will continue to work with the entities involved with the branding and visitor campaign for the
City of Kent.
Total Cost of Scope of Work for 2018 = $25,000.00
The $25'000.00 will be paid to the Kent Chamber of Commerce quarterly in 2018 in the amounts of
$61252.00 per quarter.
l't Quarter (January 1,2018-March 31,2018) = $6252.00
2nd Quarter (April 1,2018 - June 30, 2018) = $6252.00
3'd Quarter (July 1, 2018 - September 30, 2018) = $6252.00
4th Quarter (October I,2018 - December 3I,20I8) = $6252.00
Best Regards,
11
Andrea Keikkala
Chief Executive Officer
Kent Chamber of Commerce
(253) 854-1770Ext.l40
Attached - Measurable Performance pages l-3
Measurable Performance
Information requested per month taken by the front desk. This tracking is for only front desk and does not
include numbers from inquires additional staff picks up.
Janaary 2017
City Services - 60
Directions - 42
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 40
General Information -75
Relocation Information -19
Restaurant - 14
Retail - 0
Tourism -26
February 2017
City Services -39
Dtectrons -22
City Event Information outside Chamber's events -17
General Information - 54
Relocation Information - 17
Restaurant - 16
Retail -3
Tourism - 14
March 2017
City Services - 47
Directions - 25
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 52
General Information - 81
Relocation Information -l 5
Restaurant - 16
Retail - 8
Tourism -17
April2017
City Services - 53
Directions - 30
City Event Information outside Chamber's events -47
General Information - 71
Relocation Information -21
Restaurant - 18
Retail -2
Tourism -17
12
DIay 2017
City Services - 47
Directions - 30
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 52
General Information - 49
Reloc ation Information -22
Restaurant - 2
Retail - 15
Tourism - 16
Jane2017
City Services - 43
Directions - 18
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 30
General Information - 67
Relocation Information - 29
Restaurant - 26
Retail - 7
Tourism - 10
Jaly 2017
City Services -58
Directions - 15
City Event Information outside Chamber's events -36
General Information -69
Relocation Information -19
Restaurant - 10
Retail - 0
Tourism - 18
August 2017
City Services - 35
Directions - 27
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 16
General Information - 52
Relocation Information - 21
Restaurant -4
Retail - 19
Tourism -12
September 2017
City Services - 47
Directions - 19
City Event Information outside Chamber's events -56
General Information - 52
Relocation Information - 17
Restaurant - 11
Retail - 6
Tourism -12
October 2017
13
City Services - 54
Directions - 18
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 43
General Information - 39
Relocation Information - 1 3
Restaurant -11
Retail - 7
Tourism -l l
November as of November 2712017
City Services -27
Directions -4
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 30
General Information - 22
Relocation Information -5
Restaurant - 14
Retail - 5
Tourism - I
Total from January L't to November 27,2017
City Services - 510
Directions - 250
City Event Information outside Chamber's events - 4I9
General Information - 631
Relocation Information - 244
Restaurant - 144
Retail - 72
Tourism - 154
In20l6 we took 2,18I total inquires pertaining to servicing the2016 tourism contract. This number has jumped
to 2,424 \n2017 and we expect the increase in service required to continue to climb.
Social Media
We have had to shut down the Kent Chamber of Commerce personal page and build the business page this
year. We have gone from 508 Likes on our Business Page at the end of November 2016 to 955 likes at the end
of November20IT a47Vo increase within ayear.
Website
2017 Website Numbers from January I't to November27th
13,915 Visits
69.7Vo New Visitors
30.3Vo Returning Visitors
9,808 Users
38,951 Page views
2.80 Average pages per session
9,527 Organic Searches
14
"a
With your consideration, FlRsf Washington is one-step closer to engaging more chlldren of South King County in the
sport of science, technology and teamwork. Thank you for your consideration. We have enjoyed worklng with Tim
Higgins and his team at ShoWare over these past three years and look fonlrrard to worklng with them again this year.
Should you have further questions about FIRSf Washlngton or this proposal, feel free to contact me at erin@firstwa,o*.
Sincerely,
€rt;r- r?c4.,4t111-rl-
Erin McCallum
President
2O6-6L9-L525 (mobile)
15
Visit Kent
SUPPORTS MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Budget: February-December 2018
January 10, 2017
WEBSITE: $18,829
Website (Content, Hosting & Maintenance)Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Write weekly blog and post to website (4/month)x x x x
Manage website, including events calendar and listings, hero banners, homepage map, and make quarterly content updates x x x x
Annual hosting, SSL, subscriptions (plug-ins, forms) and quarterly TripAdvisor integration x x x x
16 hours of quarterly maintenance and support (security checks, CMS updates, plug-in updates, troubleshooting)x x x x
SUBTOTAL $18,829
SOCIAL MEDIA: $32,990
Social Media Deliverables Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Write and produce social content for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, following approved social media plan and content
calendar x x x x
Community management and engagement (schedule and post content on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, find photos from
followers to post, and grow followers)x x x x
Photography allowance (request images from businesses, and do quarterly photoshoots in Kent for social)x x x x
Stock photography allowance to enhance posts as needed x x x x
Monthly report of engagement metrics x x x x
SUBTOTAL $32,990
MARKETING: $74,795
Marketing Deliverables Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Develop marketing campaigns (up to three) that leverage social media promotion/media relations efforts x x x
Campaign copywriting (one round of revisions)x x x
Develop advertising plan for 2018 (media outlets, demographics, reach and schedule)x
Advertising allowance (digital and traditional travel media, to drive traffic to VisitKent.com)x x x x
Washington Tourism Alliance membership x
Sponsored social media post allowance to boost blogs x x x x
Photography for marketing campaigns (up to 6 hours, includes site coordination, photographer, photo editing and development
of an image library of 50 photos; models not included)x x
Design ads, following advertising plan (one round of revisions)x x x x
Email marketing: design, write and publish quarterly eblast using MailChimp (one round of revisions)x x x x
SUBTOTAL $74,795
MEDIA RELATIONS: $32,670
Media Relations Deliverables Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Develop up to 5 travel and tourism media pitches, plus 2 press releases for PR Newswire (one round of revisions)x x x x
PR Newswire (distribute two releases (400 words max, 3 basic photos) to US1 Travel Newsline x x
Distribute pitches to media contacts and follow up x x x x
Micro-influencer campaign (target travel bloggers on Instagram and bring 3 on hosted trip to Kent)x x
Media hosting allowance x x x x
PRSA Travel & Tourism Conference / Media Leads x
Monitor Kent travel and tourism media coverage--monthly x x x x
Provide monthly report and track earned media x x x x
SUBTOTAL $30,670
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: $14,690
Project Management Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Develop project budgets and work plans, track goals and provide monthly report x x x x
Project status calls with client (bi-monthly)x x x x
Strategy sessions with client, in person (up to two)x x
Presentations to LTAC (up to four)x x x x
SUBTOTAL $14,690
TOTAL BUDGET: FEB-DEC 2018 $171,974
(ADD JANUARY 2018 BUDGET)$13,829
$185,803
Approval
Signed Date
I give JayRay my approval to proceed with this project based on this budget, subject to JayRay's Standard Terms and Conditions.
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Visit Kent
SUPPORTS THUNDERBIRDS CONTRACT
Budget: 2018
January 10, 2017
THUNDERBIRDS MARKETING PARTNERSHIP (OPTIONAL, BASED ON RENEWAL)
Marketing Deliverables Budget
Q1: Jan-
March
Q2: April-
June
Q3: July-
Sept.
Q4: Oct.-
Dec.
Design ads for Thunderbirds promotions (team bus logo, digital ads on tickets/programs, dasher board signage) x
Refresh website content on Thunderbirds website to inspire fans to explore Kent (provide graphics/photos)x
Develop in-house promotion / ticket and overnight stay giveaway (purchase tickets from Thunderbirds for promotion)x x x
Develop video commercial to play during games at ShoWare Center x
Develop TV commercial (Thunderbirds provide air time)x
Develop radio spots to play at ShoWare Center (includes voice talent, script, music, direction and recording)x
TOTAL $35,000
Approval
Signed Date
I give JayRay my approval to proceed with this project based on this budget, subject to JayRay's Standard Terms and Conditions.
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