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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 02/28/2012 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Retreat February 28, 2012 2:00 - 5:00 pm Hampton Inn Committee Members Present: Jamie Perry-Chair, Barbara Smith, Andrew Hutchinson, David Kwok, Beth Sylves, John Casey Others present: Kurt Hanson, Julie Pulliam, Bob Nachlinger, Tom Brubaker Guest: Meilee Anderson, Ashley Comar, (SSVS), Blane Webber, Marriott TownPlace Suite (possible Lodging Tax Committee Member) Chair Perry called the meeting to order at 2 pm. Perry gave opening remarks that showed the relationship to the Council Strategic Plan in to the Lodging Tax showing the Council goal of"Creating Neighborhood Urban Centers" "Create Connections for People and Places" really ties into the Lodging Tax Committee. Introductions were made. Tom Brubaker presented the legal requirements and the roles and responsibilities for the committee members. (Handout attached) • The committee has been formed by Council • Committee members are appointed by Council • Meeting are subjected to being an open public meeting • Committee has two roles (1) advisory to the Council (2) To increase or decrease the lodging tax and how to and what to spend it on. • Member's role is to keep track of Lodging Tax Revenue and how to disperse revenue for appropriate Lodging Tax promotions/tourism. MISSION Promote the City as a destination to increase tourism and business development What does the board want to do? Objectives / 20 years from now Put heads in beds • What is our nitch • Drive tourism • Identity - What is it • Track and apply • Full 100% of the time • Grow the fund • How are we different • Heads in Kent beds! • Branding concept ****** • Make Kent the destination • Convention center/Meeting rooms • Gathering events/Festivals ** What should we be doing? • Sporting events • Are we using our facilities at the highest level • Sports Commission **** • Promoting Kent as a Destination • Marketing/Social Media • How do we make a more effective • Creating partnerships ***** use of our money to market Kent o Corporate/Business Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Retreat Minutes of February 28, 2012 Page: 2 o School District o Valley Medical o KDP • Keeping dollars here • Everything you need is here • Getting business here and to stay here * • Engage business community *** • Conventions • Multi day events • Softball events • Corporate training or relocation * Committee was asked to put a dot on their 3 most important objectives TOP 3 OBJECTIVES CREATING PARTNERSHIPS Resources Needed Discount/Link/Coupon - Hotel - Materials • ShoWare - Relationships • Kent Station/Downtown - Time Investment • Corporate Clientele - Calendar for all KENT THINGS KSD Connection - ECD will report back to - City Website Links to? committee on partnership • Graduation - Kent Chamber • Sports - Kurt will check with Michelle on City Website • Tech Events /Career Fair Valley Medical Center - ECD will report back to committee on partnership • Out of region patients • Corporate sponsorships DMO's • KDP • Chambers • Seattle Southside City of Kent • Cultural Programs • Sports Events Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Retreat Minutes of February 28, 2012 Page: 3 Branding (3 years) Resources Needed Partnering with business community, city, etc Gathering Information Poll visitors, shoppers, to identify strengths & Partnership to work through weaknesses project Find funding (professional services) to figure Funding out our identity, nitch Poll businesses and citizens Educate about brand Studies-what money we can use and who? Funding, existing blade signage Sports Commission Resources Needed • Cross promote events with hotel, Person/Director amenities • Develop hand out Time • Find events that work Attend convention to promote Kent • Fill gaps-manage calendar Separate group to report to Council? • Pacific Raceways • Separate group • Organize & fund • Study existing Commissions • Kent Parks involvement • Incentivize filling our sports facilities • More with KSD & Golf course • Sports events with conditions • Leverage ShoWare, Pacific Raceways • Calendar of events for both inside & outside of Kent Jamie will poll the committee to find the next meeting date. Retreat ended : 0 pm. VL' am, ax Secretary