HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 03/26/2009 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
March 26, 2009
Start Time 2:00 pm
ShoWare Center, Rainier Room
Committee Members Present: Tim Clark, Jacquie Alexander, Greg Haffner, Dennis
Higgins, Andrew Hutchison, Vickie Molzer, Aaron Watne
Others present: Ben Wolters, Bob Nachlinger, and Julie Pulliam
Guest: Katherin Kertzman, Andrea Keikkala, Tim Higgins
Ben Wolters called the meeting to order at 2:03 pm and introductions were made.
City of Kent
Aaron Higgins asked if there has been any movement on the garage. There has been
some interest and the price is now at 8 million, Wolters thinks still is too high.
ShoWare Center
The ShoWare Center has been opened 10 weeks.—We have many things happening,
T-Birds Games, meetings and, concerts. Seattle South Side held its annual
membership meeting at ShoWare Center this year and it was the biggest ever with
180 in attendance. Tim and his staff is doing an outstanding job says Wolters. We are
still looking for more events that will create overnight stays like playoffs, banquet and
small mid size trade shows.
We have seen an up-tick in local downtown restaurants. Beth Sylves and Tim Higgins
are reaching out to the local restaurants and hotels. "Are the restaurants outside of
Kent Station seeing an up-tick?" asked Clark. We have heard from Papa's, Pat's, H.D.
Hotspurs and Shindig all have reported an up-tick since the opening.
Are we seeing a positive impact on Hotels stays? Some most so far have been
transit.
We have had 138,500 visits since the grand opening, says Higgins. We have seen a
real increase in our catering business.
Seattle Southside Update;
Katherine handed out the 09 Report on tourism. (attached)
According to the Smith travel hotels are holding their own and may be beginning to
see a small up-tick. Lodging tax revenue is starting so a small downward trend, but
should start its up-tick with spring and summer on the rise. Seattle Southside is
putting out an RFP for a PR company for their vacation planner.
Dates•
Wine Women and Wow, May 8t" at ShoWare Center.
Kent Chamber of Commerce;
Renovated the Chamber office and now have a visitor area and a business center.
Just launched a brand new website, which is very user friendly. State of the City
Address was very successful. We are getting about 13-20 information calls a day.
Kent is starting to really bring in visitors.
Budget
Revenue is now about 5 %, most likely will go down more in the first quarter,
according to Bob Nachlinger. (attached)
ShoWare doing well, Globe Trotters a sellout, Chris Tomlin a sellout.
Graduations coming up for all the high schools and Renton and Highline Community
College and University of Phoenix. There are 100 booked ticketed events and 12 on
hold. Nothing at this time in the fine arts at this time. Parking is still being worked
out and is getting better as the visitors get more familiar with the areas.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is considering contributing to ShoWare Center
funding that will bring events to Kent which will put stays in the hotels.
We will be looking into contributing to the Softball payoffs September 17-20', No
decision made till next meeting. Softball is good for hotel stays, says Mozer. The
amount would come from the unallocated portion of the Lodging Tax budget. Not to
exceed $7,000 per board. Ben Wolters will negotiate with the Seattle Sports
Commission to see if there is support there also.
Approval of minutes; Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of the October
9, 2008 meeting, Greg Haffner seconded, motion carried.
Next Meeting Date; May 21, 2009 2:00 pm, City of Kent Centennial Center
Adjournment; The meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m.
Julie Pulliam
Economic Dev. Administrative Assistant