THE CORPORTATION OF THE DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Held Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6:30 pm In the Council Chambers Community Centre PRESENT Doris Muhs, Patrick Van Minsel, Loretta Robinson, Kaz Zvanitajs, Heather Johannson, Gill Evans, Walter Huber, Darlene Hartford REGRETS Councillor Terry Condon, Graham Todd, Dave Collins CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair, Doris Muhs, called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Add item 7A New Monaco / Arts Council and 7B Louise Lambert Report 2003, and strike 8A District of Peachland Report. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOVED by Heather Johannson To approve the January 24, 2013 Agenda as amended. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES, NOV. 22, 2012 MEETING MOVED by Patrick Van Minsel To approve the minutes of November 22, 2012 as presented. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: 2013 PEACHLAND VISITOR GUIDE Discussion ensued relative to the 2013 Peachland Visitor Guide. Tourism Services Coordinator, Loretta Robinson, reported the Visitor Guide 2013 is progressing well with the assistance of VC youth worker, Matt Warnet-Pelletier and VC volunteer Vangie Neyedli. World Host training was successful and appreciation was extended to participants. World Host training is available to anyone and the possibility of an annual session was presented.
If 60% of a business receives World Host Training, that business becomes a World Host certified business. This information will be added to TAC website. World Host workshops could also be advertised grouping various categories of businesses ie. Accommodators, Restaurants & Retail. A coupon book with discounts from local businesses was created by VC youth worker; coupon books sell for $5.00 each. Promotion is ongoing. REVIEW & PRIORITIZE STRATEGIC PLAN Discussion ensued relative to TAC Strategic Plan. The purpose of TAC was reviewed using the guiding document, Terms of Reference. The Tourism Services Coordinator reviewed the history of how TAC came about. Comments by Councillor Condon were brought forward in his absence, outlining a format of choosing new tourism events or expanding on existing events, and writing a proposal for council including a budget and stakeholders. Tourism events will be prioritized at the next TAC meeting. The committee is encouraged to review Community Tourism Foundations report. CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP Discussion ensued relative to Christmas Light-up. The Light-up parade included six vehicles. There were some additional lights including the new Rotary Tree. The initial meeting with Peachland Rotary and Lions clubs was successful. The District has approached Peachland Chamber to assume responsibility of Christmas Light-up. This will be discussed at the Chamber s February Board meeting. Summerland Christmas Light-up was reviewed: it does not have a European Market theme; there were fireworks and all businesses were open. Kelowna Christmas Light-up was reviewed: there were indoor and outdoor events as well as vendors; event hours were longer and started earlier. PROMOTING TOURISM ADVISORY C. Discussion ensued relative to promoting TAC. A committee photo will be taken when World Host certificates arrive.
An article promoting World Host will be submitted to local newspapers, including information regarding World Host opportunities, TAC mandate, TAC Facebook, as well as encouraging the public to submit their tourism ideas. It was confirmed that TAC requires a public relations person. Kaz Zvanitajs will continue in this capacity; all public announcements and advertising are to be approved by the PR representative. COOKING CLASSES HAINLE WINERY Discussion ensued relative to promoting cooking classes at Hainle Winery. Promoting cooking classes at Hainle Winery would be classed as promoting a single business event which is contrary to TAC mandate. Hainle Vineyard has signed a contract for 15,000 Chinese visitors to visit the winery over the ensuing year. Owner, Walter Huber, reported food service at the winery may change in the future. NEW BUSINESS : VACANCY ON TAC COMMITTEE Discussion ensued relative to the vacancy on the Tourism Advisory Committee. Chair Charlette Broadoway resigned from TAC and PEDC. It would be ideal if the committee replacement sat on both TAC and PEDC for continued communication. The District will be notified of this change and a request will be submitted to the District to consider a PEDC liaison during selection. Also PEDC will be approached regarding providing a TAC replacement from their committee. Vice-Chair Doris Muhs stepped down from the Chair and Tourism Services Coordinator, Loretta Robinson, conducted the election of a new Chair. Doris Muhs volunteered to preside as Chair for the remaining 6 month term. Committee approved. Moved by Doris Muhs That Kaz Zvanitajs hold the position of Vice-Chair for the remaining 6 month term. COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION Discussion ensued relative to recommendations presented by new Chair, Doris Muhs. Communication is encouraged amongst committee members between meetings to enhance the discussion process at meetings.
The minutes will be available within 10 days of meetings to accommodate absentees, and to encourage committee communication. The Agenda will be available the Friday prior to the meeting; Agenda items can be submitted until that time. TAC meetings are open to the public. Any person in the audience wanting to participate in discussion must make a request through the Secretary. Only the designated Public Relations person will communicate with the media. There will be thirty minutes of brainstorming following each business meeting. All recommendations were accepted by the committee. PEACHLAND VIDEO Discussion ensued regarding the creation of a Peachland video. A competition to create a video of Peachland was suggested. The video could be viewed on the VC website, TAC Facebook, and other links through Tourism BC. Categories such as adventure and shopping could be included. There would be a substantial prize. The Tourism Services Coordinator reported a Tourism BC endorsement is required for them to promote Peachland through a video. This type of promotional material has been included in the 2013-2014 Marketing Budget presented to Council by Peachland Chamber and Visitor Information Centre. If the Marketing Budget is not approved by Council and we are unable to create a video professionally, a contest could be pursued. To be discussed further at the March TAC meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: NEW MONICO / PEACHLAND ARTS COUNCIL INVITE LOUISE LAMBERT REPORT 2003 New Monico and Peachland Arts Council have extended an invitation to attend a meeting on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Little Schoolhouse. New Monaco will present the artistic component being planned for their development. TAC members attending will be Doris Muhs, Patrick Van Minsel, and Darlene Hartford. Heather Johannson will scan and email the report; tabled to the next meeting.
REPORTS: PEACHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT Patrick Van Minsel reported: The Quarterly Membership Meeting is January 28, 2013 at The Gasthaus. The next Board meeting is Tuesday, January 29, 2013. The Chamber will present a Business Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at the Community Centre from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Discussion will include What can the chamber do for businesses & the community. Peachland Chamber is in negotiations for the Fee for Service Contract with Peachland Council. With the move to Peachland Primary School visitors are expected to double at the VC, which requires an increase in staff funding. Extended hours and increased maintenance at the Visitor Centre will also require additional funding. A letter will be sent, on behalf of TAC, to the District of Peachland endorsing the Fee for Service request made by Peachland Chamber of Commerce. The letter will be signed by all committee members. PEACHLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMM. REPORT Patrick Van Minsel reported: Gabi Haas is the new Chair of PEDC. Clarification is required on the role of TAC at PEDC meetings. Is a TAC committee report required, or TAC minutes? What are their expectations of TAC? The Secretary will enquire. ADJOURNMENT MOVED by Gill Evans That the Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting be adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Certified Correct Chairperson Dated at Peachland, B.C. This day of, 2013.