THE CORPORTATION OF THE DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Held Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 6:30 pm In the Council Chambers Community Centre PRESENT REGRETS Doris Muhs, Councilor Terry Condon, Loretta Robinson, Gill Evans, Walter Huber, Graham Todd, Dave Collins, Kaz, Zvanitajs, Darlene Hartford Guests: Jan and Reiner Udala of Beach Ride Rental Co. Patrick Van Minsel, Heather Johannson CALL TO ORDER Chair, Doris Muhs, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Add 6A Beach Ride Rental Co. under New Business; change other items under New Business to 6B, 6C, 6D consecutively. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOVED by Dave Collins To approve the April 25, 2013 Agenda as amended. CARRIED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES, Feb. 28, 2013 MEETING BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: MOVED by Kaz Zvanitajs To approve the minutes of March 28, 2013 as presented. CARRIED PEDC VISITATION OKANAGAN PADDLE FEST Walter Huber attended the Peachland Economic Development Committee (PEDC), on behalf of the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC). Visitations will assist in streamlining the operations of both committees. PEDC requested two members from TAC attend their meetings and they will send two representatives to TAC meetings. Patrick currently represents both groups. Walter Huber and Dave Collins will rotate as the second TAC representative. Dave Collins will attend the next PEDC meeting. Doris Muhs and Patrick Van Minsel are TAC representatives on the Paddle Fest Committee. Scheduled events to date include the following: A war boat will be on display in Peachland for seven days
Sport stores are committing to display booths There will be many forms of water equipment for the public to test such as kayaks and paddle boats Music venues and face painting Kids Boat Races in Swim Bay using wooden boxes created by Richard Smith Registrations are in progress for Dragon Boat Races Two paddlers currently paddling boards around Okanagan Lake will end their challenge at Paddle Fest on August 10 th Kaz Zvanitajs has volunteered to oversee events in Cousins Park and Dave Collins will work on the logistics of traffic flow, washrooms, shuttle bus, unloading boats etc. NEW BUSINESS: BEACH RIDE RENTAL CO. Council approved an on sight trailer for Beach Ride Rental Co. on the corner of Beach Avenue and 13 th Street. Graphics will be displayed on the trailer to make it more attractive. Council has requested the Tourism Advisory Committee provide input on the choice of graphics. Discussion ensued relative to the addition of logos on the Beach Ride Rental Co. trailer: Councilor Terry Condon suggested additions of the Destination Peachland logo and an Okanagan Paddle Fest banner. The back of the trailer facing Highway 97 could say Welcome to Peachland. Tourism Services Coordinator, Loretta Robinson, recommends to Council on behalf of TAC that the Destination Peachland symbol and logo, and a Welcome to Peachland banner ad, be included on the Beach Ride Co. trailer, to be located at Beach Avenue and 13 th Street during the high tourism season. All In Favour The Destination Peachland symbol and logo will be sent electronically to Councilor Condon for submission to Council. PULL OUT SIGN Discussion ensued relative to the Pull-Out Sign at Princeton Avenue and Highway 97. The sign is owned by Peachland Chamber of Commerce The sign is out dated The Accommodation section of the sign will be replaced with current accommodation information The Tourism Services Coordinator suggested the sign is irreparable and should be removed
Signage companies are frequently seeking free advertising; it was suggested companies be contacted to repair the sign for a free advertisement The sign is on Ministry of Transportation land and approval is required to change the structure Reiner Udala will research opportunities of refurbishing the existing sign Discussion ensued relative to a new marketing project, Peachy Girl. Tourism Services Coordinator, Loretta Robinson, introduced Peachy Girl as a new marketing project. A student will be hired to use a pedal bike to distribute brochures and information on upcoming events, riding along Beach Avenue during July and August, possibly extending to the shoulder season. Grants and advertisers are currently being sought to cover wages. OGOPOGO ISLAND Gill Evans emailed Mayor Fielding regarding the name change of Rattle Snake Island back to Ogopogo Island, and recommended TAC approach Council to support the name change. Discussion ensued relative to changing the name of Rattle Snake Island back to Ogopogo Island. Some committee members felt the name Ogopogo would benefit tourism A poll was taken approximately six years ago in Peachland, to change the name; Rattle Snake Island was the favoured name by a large majority. Many long time residents of Peachland support the name Rattle Snake Island Rattle Snake Island is established in name, and as an event (Rattle Snake Island Swim) The committee supported the opinion of the Tourism Services Coordinator, to keep the name as Rattle Snake Island. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES A list of grant opportunities was presented by Gill Evans. Discussion ensued relative to the grant opportunities. Gill Evans will monitor online grant opportunities for TAC and interface with the Tourism Services Coordinator How can TAC, as a committee, work to promote tourism more effectively? The Tourism Services Coordinator will report on how the use of social media can promote tourism
OTHER BUSINESS Hainle Deep Creek Estate Winery will produce a specialty white wine promoting Peachland Bats and Peachland tourism. Discussion ensued relative to wine labels for the specialty Peachland Bats wine. Walter Huber of Hainle Vineyard has received only one wine label design from Peachland Arts Council for the specialty Bat Wine that is to be sold in the Visitor Centre. A sample label depicting a First Nations bat graphic was circulated. Winery regulations require Council give consent to use the name Peachland on wine labels. Councilor Condon will take the request to Council. REPORTS: DISTRICT OF PEACHLAND REPORT Councilor Condon reported that Council approved waiving the facilities fee for Okanagan Paddle Fest as requested by the committee. Councilor Condon and invited guests were excused from the meeting at this time. PEACHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT PEACHLAND ECONOMIC DEVEL. COMMITTEE No Report No Report BRAINSTORMING: Discussion ensued relative to the feasibility of recommendations brought forward at the March TAC meeting regarding events, marketing & promotion, and activities. Patrick Van Minsel and Walter Huber will provide more information at the May TAC meeting regarding a Peachland Wine Festival event during late September. They are also discussing an Ice Wine Festival with local restaurants. Graham Todd is continuing to work with Ashley Burnell on illuminated bats, to be displayed in windows of the new Visitor Centre. Loretta Robinson outlined existing tours in Peachland: Historic Peachland Walking Tour, Okanagan ATV Tours, Tooners Boat Tours, Circle Tours of the South Okanagan and
Similkameen, Winelicious Wine Tours, Nappa North Wine Tours. Recommendations are: o To enhance the Historic Peachland Walking Tour by engaging local theatre groups as Guides, and improve the brochure. o To increase boat tours and expand on how the lake was used as a main waterway. o To introduce Peachy Girl and provide sponsorship packages to businesses for advertising opportunities on the bike or cart; Peachy Girl will be a trained Visitor Centre Counselor. Heather Johannson provided an information sheet on the Feast of Fields in her absence (see attachment). TAC agreed to keep the information on file but to pursue a dinner event that promotes local business. Darlene Hartford presented feasibility studies on the following events (attached): Moonlight Dinner; Music on the Lake; Carol Ship; Bat Artwork, Rubber Ducky Race, and Water Parks: o TAC accepted the Moonlight Dinner event in support of local business. It was proposed that a portion of the proceeds from this event be donated to the Visitor Centre. o It was suggested Music on the Lake become a Canada Day event; some of the Christmas Light-up budget could be transferred to this event to cover costs of a barge and entertainers; Darlene Hartford will discuss with Cheryl Weibe. Osoyoos businesses have contributed to similar events; to discuss with Elsie Lemke. o Peachland Arts Council is creating artistic bat houses to be sold at their annual Art Show; remaining bat houses may be sold in the Visitor Centre. Graham Todd will approach Gormans Mill to supply wood for future bat houses. o TAC agreed the Rubber Ducky Race will be a 2014 event if approved by Council o Photos of water parks were viewed and it was agreed these concepts be sent to Peachland Rotary, who have previously expressed interest in developing a Water Park. An art mural on 4 th Street Place was discussed; does this create a conflict with graffiti? Gill Evans will approach Peachland Arts Council and request they seek approval from Council. The Historic Wall at the south end of Beach Avenue has set the precedence. Doris Muhs will research pricing on Morris Columns and a statue of Ogopogo.
Gill Evans will contact Peachland Players regarding ideas of how they can best assist in improving tourism in Peachland. ADJOURNMENT MOVED by Graham Todd That the Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m. CARRIED Certified Correct Chairperson Dated at Peachland, B.C. This day of, 2013.