Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
December 15, 2022
Baker County Courthouse – Commission Chambers
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Mandy Clark, Buell Gonzales, Sheryl Brandt, and Brian Vegter.
Guests Present: Twila Lavery, Matthew Koppenhaver, Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Devon Colton, Becky Kaaen, and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Kelly Martin representing Oregon Jr. High Rodeo was not able to make her grant presentation, this agenda items was moved to January. Brian moved to approve the agenda with changes. Sheryl seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Minutes: Meeting minutes from November 17th were reviewed. Mandy moved to approve the minutes as presented. Sheryl seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Requests: None
Grant Presentation:
Ison House Concerts – Twila Lavery
Twila thanked the Committee for the $5,000 grant award. The five concerts brought in approximately 730 people. Twila indicated the heat was a huge factor in the lower attendance of the last two concerts. Of the 730 attendees, she estimated 80% were local from La Grande, Haines and Sumpter. She talked with some guests about where they were staying and found most were staying close to the location of the event. Brian suggested she check with the ticket sales agent for demographics. Future plans for the event include, hosting three concerts next summer, make improvements to fencing and amp up advertising. Social media advertising seemed to draw more participants than any other type of advertising. Radio ads ran a week prior to the concert. Jessica suggested she expand her advertising to the Boise and Tri-Cities areas. Jessica offered to help market the concerts once Twila has contracts signed. The events netted a total profit of $4,690. Bryan Tweit suggested a raffle to get demographic information from attendees.
Visitor Services Update – Devon Colton
The Committee welcomed the new Chamber and Visitor Services Director, Devon Colton. Devon presented the November report; 24 travelers passing through, 2 seeking lodging, 22 requesting County information, 13 requesting City information 2 visitor packets were mailed, no relocation packets were mailed, and the Center received 48 visitor phone calls. She provided the Committee with a copy of Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country. Devon asked the Committee what they would like from her as Director of the Visitors Center. Tyler suggested more marketing of the Visitors Center. Brian suggested enhancing the Visitors Center Facebook page. Buell indicated he is excited about new ideas and more partnerships. Jessica suggested Visitors Center information be sent to her via email or phone. There was some discussion around the best way to separate membership with the Chamber from Visitors Center services. Tyler indicated the Committee would like to see visitor tracking for each month and a profit & loss compared to budget report from QuickBooks. Buell expressed an interest in partnering with the Visitors Center to contact hospitality businesses when there will be a sporting event.
Devon said the Chamber banquet will be held on January 28th.
Devon also suggested having an open house/meet and greet at the Visitors Center sometime in the spring.
EDC Update: Bryan Tweit
Bryan indicated unemployment rates have been flat for the last four months, approximately 37-40 people in Baker County receiving benefits. The County will likely close on the purchase of land near the Sports Complex after the first of the new year. Once the land is purchased there will be more grant funding available to develop the land. This will bring huge revenue potential to Baker County. Bryan shared an update on the new Maverik location and indicated the new station will not be set up for big trucks. Love’s, who is also planning a new station in that area, has experienced some signage issues. Bryan shared the City of Halfway is encouraging participation in a survey sharing where you want to be in 50 years. Bryan updated the Committee on issues with the lack of workforce housing and new construction. He has been working with some trucking companies asking them to consider Baker City as a shipping hub.
Tyler shared that Baker City’s population is now 10,099 and how this will limit grant funding available and increase housing/infrastructure requirements, which will increase costs to the City. Recent changes in school enrollment will cause a change to our medical center’s ability to provide urgent care (ICU). There needs to be a focus on how to retain young adults.
Hells Canyon Update: Becky Kaaen
Becky provided a copy of the Hells Canyon Journal for Committee members. She encouraged the Committee to visit Richland for various dining experiences. There was an article introducing Devon Colton as the new Chamber of Commerce Director. Becky indicated Janet at the Chamber has agreed to make up Chamber packets (visitor information packets) which Buell may find helpful to distribute during sporting events.
Tourism Marketing: Jessica Hobson
Jessica reported results from boosting December 3rd events, Churchill Nightmare Before Christmas photoshoot, Ison House Christmas Escape Room, Geiser Grand Christmas High Tea and Last Chance Bazaar. Brian reported they had 62 groups attend the Churchhill Nightmare Before Christmas photoshoot. Both the Ison House Escape Room and Geiser Grand Christmas High Tea events were well attended. Facebook likes are at 14,129.
Jessica created an 1859 Best Places ad highlighting the Geiser Grand Hotel, which is in the top 10 best ski hotels in the country. Jessica met with Kevin and Linda from Dirty Free Hub to get licensing for maps, write-ups, and information for the gravel guide. Jessica has been working on the 2023 Baker City Visitors Guide. The guide will be approximately 56 pages. There has been a price jump for more content and a nicer cover. She asked each committee member to reach out to five businesses in January and encourage them to advertise in the guide. Jessica will have the ad pricing by January’s meeting. She asked the Committee to discuss the buy down of ads at our January meeting. Becky encouraged Jessica to contact lodging establishments in the Richland and Halfway area.
Tyler asked Jessica for an update on the Marketing Budget. The Brochure Distribution account line is over budget. Jessica requested next year’s budget for this expenditure be increased based on current costs and to increase distribution of the Visitors Guide. Jessica asked why the reallocation of budget funds the Committee approved in October was not reflected on the Revenue & Expenditure Report. Shelly explained changes in expenditure lines do not appear in the approved budget unless it is brought before the Commissioners for approval. The Committee has the freedom to reallocate funds within the budget without approval from the Commissioners but actual budget numbers do not change. The 2023-24 marketing budget will be discussed in upcoming meetings.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly presented financial reports to the Committee. Third quarter revenue for August and September is higher than any year dating back to fiscal year 2005-2006.
Citizen Participation:
Matthew Koopenhaven shared gas prices are slowly coming down. In a recent visit to Idaho, he noticed diesel prices were higher. He traveled to Sumpter for holiday festivities, while there he heard that attendance was down due to road closures and new snow the night before
Staff Comments: None
Committee Comments:
Brian Vegter shared Churchill Studios was featured in the 1859 magazine. The photoshoot raised $200 for CASA.
Tyler suggested a work session in January or February to work on the strategic plan and budget. He encouraged members to advocate for the at-large member appointed by the Baker City Council.
Buell indicated there are 32 teams coming to Baker for a tournament after Christmas (December 28-30).
Next Meeting:
January 19, 2023 @ 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned at 11:33
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen