Teton County Joint Travel & Toursim Board Update

Collected tax revenue is less than projected. The board is planning to receive 69% of projected August revenue totaling $132,800. Initially, the board anticipated receiving $193,000. Treasurer Jeff Golightly of Togwotee Mountain Lodge is working closely with the Department of Revenue to analyze the collections and review enforcement. During the update, Golightly mentioned “There’s no need to hit the panic button yet” but expressed concern about current obligations. Board members expressed gratitude to Golightly for his detailed update and due diligence.

The board expects the lion share of tax revenue to come in the following months. Using conservative estimates, the board is projecting nearly $550,000 to work with for winter travel promotion.

During the meeting, the board voted to approve the following expenses:

1. A quarterly payment of $62,925 to Jackson Chamber of Commerce Visitor Services to finance staffing requirements.

2. A quarterly payment of $32,300 to Jackson Chamber of Commerce to finance advertising campaigns

3. $20,000 payment to Jackson Chamber of Commerce to support and promote the inaugural Jackson Hole Marathon

4. $35,000 payment to pass through the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and be awarded to the “Modern Family” production team in order to “level the playing field” for shooting in Jackson Hole.

5. Payment to the National Wildlife Art Museum for conference services in the amount of $159.

During the approval process, board members commented on the need for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce to supply itemized invoices that more clearly define their capital requests and cash flow requirements. To date, the Chamber has the be primary beneficiary of the Lodging Tax. The new tax supplements funding for the community organization that formerly was accounted for in the Town of Jackson budget.

Item 3: Request for Proposals

Marketing and Advertising: On Wednesday August 10th, fifteen companies submitted proposals to design and execute marketing initiatives for our region. The timeline to select companies for oral presentations is tight. The board has the option to select up to six proposals to present their ideas in person at the end of the month. During the meeting, Chip Carey, Marketing Executive at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, commented on the elaborate design of the proposals, considering some of them very strong. The total cost of hiring an agency to enact a national marketing campaign has not been discussed during the meetings, but is sure to be a considerable expense.

Reservations Program: Led by chairman Stephen Price, the board addressed the need to explore drafting a request for proposal to develop a “fulfillment” house that can enter into the market. Board members agree that group travel business is critical to grow travel and tourism in the region. They view the development of mechanism that enables the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce to close on travel inquiry essential.

Executive producers for the show are extremely excited to be shooting this week in Jackson Hole for the season premier of the Emmy nominated comedy. The premiere will be the first one hour episode for the series and will air September 21st, 2011. The crew will be filming at Lost Creek Ranch, and other locations throughout the county.

Wyoming Tourism plans to advertise during the premier on ABC. Production staff arrived this past weekend, with the remaining cast and crew arriving Monday August 15th. The board estimates the production has a marketing value of nearly $50,000 and had expressed kind words for executive producers Jeff Morton and Sally Young.