2024-06-12 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Packet-" SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
EDMONDS LODGING TAX
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Edmonds Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday,
June 12, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. The agenda is attached, miscellaneous items may be
discussed and there will be an opportunity for audience comments.
The meeting will be held in the Fourtner Meeting Room — Third Floor, City Hall, 121
5th Avenue North, Edmonds
The public is welcome to attend.
Posted/Emailed: June 11. 2024
POSTED:
City Hall
Public Safety
EMAILED:
Newspapers
The Herald
The Edmonds Beacon
Myedmondsnews.com
City Council
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AGENDA
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Fourtner Room I Edmonds City Hall
121 511 Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
Thursday, June 12, 2024
3:OOPM — 4:30PM
1. Approval of June 15, 2023 & February 27, 2024, Meeting Summary
2. Public Comment
3. 2023 Revenue
4. Review and approve Funding Requests and Budget for 2025
5. Miscellaneous
6. Set next meeting date
7. Adjourn
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Draft Summary Notes from 6/15/23 Meeting
Committee members present: Will Chen, City Council
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Mgr.
Joe Mclalwain, Edmonds Center for the Arts Executive Director
Crystal Berclaz, Best Western Edmonds Harbor Inn
Pat Moriarty, The Studio
Guest: Robert Ha
Staff present: Todd Tatum, Director - Economic Development
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator - Economic Development
Meeting called to order at 12:07 p.m.
1. Approval of May 24, 2023, Meeting Summary: Joe moved and Pat seconded to approve the
5/24/23 meeting minutes with the correction to the meeting date under Item 3. of 6/22/22 to
5/24/23. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Public Comment: Robert Ha, owns a travel agency in Edmonds. Moved to Edmonds 7 years ago
and was able to move business from Seattle after that. Received a business grant during Covid.
Travel agency does inbound and outbound travel.
3. 2022 Revenue: Megan shared the revenue for 2022 was $161,254; Fund 120 $120,941; Fund
123 $40,313. This shows a higher revenue than the pre -pandemic revenue. Todd explains that
for the revenue of 2023 we're estimating a 6% increase but plugged in a more conservative
revenue for 2024. Will suggests that 2024 could see a boom. Crystal explains that the hotel is
estimating an equal revenue for 2024. Their room rates are higher so revenue is higher even
though not all rooms are being filled.
4. Review and approve Funding Requests for 2024: Rack cards have been budgeted for $2,500,
the committee agrees this expense is necessary. Frances explains the Bird Fest and we'll
continue with the $1,500 allocation. The Chamber has requested $10,000. Todd explains the
Tourism/Promotion/Website/Calendar Support allocation, increase is to elevate the City's
marketing efforts. The City is working hard on organic social media presence and the increasing
cost of creative. Costs have increased for program management, but the budget has not
increased for several years. There's an additional increase ask to support organic social media.
This is to draw in social media influencers and to partner with the other Visit communities. He
also plans to do quarterly stakeholder marketing meetings to develop content of what
businesses and the arts, etc. to get buyoff. Pat adds that over the years our social media has
been limping along and it's time to elevate our presence; this feels right. Todd is working to
build relationships with partnering tourism organizations like the Chamber, ECA and CAM.
Crystal asks about promoting events, Todd explains the strategies for promotion; blogs,
newsletters; pushing on social media. Crystal points out that we need to promote events in
advance so folks can plan their trips timely. She suggests giving people a reason to stay for a
weekend. General advertising is maintaining the same budget as years past of $30,000. This
budget can cover Seattle Times targeted content. 425 magazine, Sip & Savor digital promotion
as well as print, ParentMap, for some examples. The City's efforts are focused on a broader
regional effort and some fly markets. The other organizations are promoting more closely to
Edmonds. The Committee reviews CAM's request. Frances has spoke with them about
23 06 15 LTAC minutes
coordinating with the hotel going forward to promote overnight stays. The group moved on to
the ECA ask. They are asking for the same amount as 2023, $15,000; no objections to their
request. After discussion the Committee chose to zero out the Miscellaneous line item. Frances
explains the $4,000 line for the 117 fund, it covers expenses that come up throughout the year,
the Arts Commission allocates these funds.
Frances walked the group through the Arts Commission recommendations. They awarded
everyone what they asked for. There are 8 non-profit asks and one application from the City to
request Creative District activation funding. She explains that we've been working with them to
improve their tracking of overnight stays. She added that we advertise widely but plan to
translate the advertisements for next year. Most organizations requested the top ask for the
Arts grants, which were increased this year to $2,700 from $2,600. Frances explained that the
Creative District ask is for partnering with other organizations that come to town such as
Sketcherfest or Jazz Walk, that are activating public space. Crystal and Will discussed the
amount for the Creative District grant and proposed bringing it down to $1,500 from $2,700.
Frances explained that WOTS asked for an additional $500 from last year for an ask of $9,000.
Last year, the funding was not used because the conference was held virtually. The increase is to
elevate the promotion as this is the first in -person conference since the pandemic. Joe motions
to approve the budget as it is built in the spreadsheet; Pat seconds; motion carries
unanimously.
5. 2024 Budget: This item was discussed above.
6. Miscellaneous: None.
7. Set next meeting date: TBD.
8. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1:39pm
23 06 15 LTAC minutes
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Draft Summary Notes from 2/27/24 Meeting
Committee members present: Will Chen, City Council
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Mgr.
Lori Meagher, Edmonds Center for the Arts - Interim Executive Director
Crystal Berclaz, Best Western Edmonds Harbor Inn
Katrina Swanson
Staff present: Todd Tatum, Director - Economic Development
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator - Economic Development
Meeting called to order at 3:00 p.m.
1. Introductions: Round table introductions.
2. Review 2024 —123 Fund grant allocations recommended by Arts Commission for approved
budget increase: Frances explains the Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC) chose to allocate an
additional $12,000 form the ending cash balance of the 123 fund to boost the small arts
organizations in Edmonds. See Attachment 1 for grant requests and recommendations from
EAC. Crystal moves to approve the additional $12,000 as outlined in Attachment 1; Lori
seconds; motion carries unanimously.
3. Discuss 2025 grant program: The grant call for 2025 will be sent out in March. Applications will
be due at the end of May. We will meet in June to review the grant requests and recommend
approval and set the 2025 budget.
4. Set future meetings to review and approve grants and budget: Wednesday, June 121h at 3pm
works for everyone.
S. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 4:03pm
23 06 15 LTAC minutes
ATTACHMENT 1
2024 Tourism Promotion Award Applications — Recommendation to LTAC
Staff: Chapin Date: 5/30/23
First Round
Total Requests: $23,600 Budget: $22,400 Total Recommended: $22,400
as approved by LTAC
Staff: Chapin Date: 02/05/24
Second Round
Total Requests: $16,250 Budget: $12,000 Total Recommended:
Organization
Request
Recommended
Purpose
Comments & Est. attendance
Cascade
1" Round
P Round
Radio ads on KING -FM for all
Radio ads effective, good publicity,
Symphony
2,700
2,700
8 concerts
Some out of town, a few overnight,
Multiple events, guest artists
2' Round
2"d Round
2nd Round
(4224,5)
2,500
2,000
Radio ads for Children's
(2nd Round — add 900 attending
Total
concert and Chamber concerts
with majority to the Children's
$4,700
concert
DeMiero Jazz
Pt Round
I" Round
Pt Round:
Significant overnights, youth,
Fest
2,700
2700
Banners; posters; flyers; digital
public access, vocal jazz, enlivens
ads
downtown
2nd Round
2"d Round
(2,000, 120)
750
750
2nd Round:
Total
Radio ads
$3,450
Driftwood
1" Round
P Round
Digital ads; brochures; flyers;
Season, multiple shows, draws
Players
2,700
2700
posters; print ads
audience from beyond Edmonds,
broad reach, encourage dinner etc in
2' Round
2"d Round
2nd Round
Edmonds; Improved website
2,500
2,000
Expand current marketing;
(11,000,7)
Total
grow outreach partnerships with
(2nd Round — add 500, 16)
$4,700
Edmonds businesses
EAF for
Pt Round
I" Round
Pt Round
Multiple day event, attracts people
Edmonds Art
2,700
2700
Brochure/map
from outside Edmonds
Studio Tour
(5000,0)
(EAST)
2' Round
2"d Round
2nd Round
(2nd Round — did not indicate specific
2,500
1,000
Expand print & social media
increase in attendance)
Total
ads; place brochures at
$3,700
Edmonds -Kingston ferry
terminal and/or boats
ATTACHMENT 1
Edmonds
1st Round
I" Round
1st Round:
Attracts people from outside
Daybreakers
2,700
2700
Print & radio, media ads;
Edmonds, a few overnights, free
Rotary - Jazz
banners; brochures; posters
performances, youth, family friendly,
Connection
2nd Round
2"d Round
supports music labs in schools
2,500
1500
2nd Round:
(4000, 15)
Total
Seattle Times Weekend ad
2nd Round — add'l 1000 attending, 20
$4,200
and Radio
room nights
Olympic
1st Round
P Round
Posters; postcards; banners;
Season of events, attracts outside
Ballet
2,700
2700
video (digital); email; print,
audience, participation of adults and
radio ads
youth in dance, guest artists, great
2' Round
2"d Round
advertisement for Edmonds, good
2,500
2000
2nd Round
with social media
Total
Sound Transit & Metro bus
(7,000, 15)
$4,700
boards
Sno-King
1 st Round
I" Round
1 st Round
One event in Edmonds, Holiday
Chorale
2,000
2000
Print & digital ads, posters,
Concert, more limited audience, good
flyers
opportunity for community
2' Round
2"d Round
participation, choir open to all
1,000
750
2nd Round
(560,3)
Total
Expand advertising to King
(2nd Round — did not indicate a
$2,750
County
specific number)
Art Walk
Edmonds
Cascadia Art
n/a
P Round
Print ads in newspapers,
Special Event Celebration of Spring
Museum
n/a
social media; invitations to
Community Day. Free event in
(CAM)
2nd Round
members throughout the
partnership with Ed SD Foundation.
2,000
2"d Round
Puget Sound region
Goal to expand membership and
Total
support arts education.
$2,000
(1000,5)
Total 2024 Requests for Tourism Promotion Awards from 1st Round nonprofits: $20,900 - Approx 175 room nights
Request from City: $1500
Total lst Round Recommended allocations: $22,400
Total 2024 Requests from 2nd Round nonprofits: $16,250 - Estimated room night increase: 36
Total 2" Round Recommended allocations: $12,000
TOTAL 2024 REQUESTS: $39,850
TOTAL 2024 ALLOCATIONS: $34,400