LODGING TAX APPLICATION-South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce-Tourism and Marketing-09.18.2023LODGING TAX APPLICATION (RCW 67.28.1816)
Instructions
For Budget Year:
2024
Available Funding Amount:
$100,000
Application Deadline: September 25, 2023, by 4:00
p.m.
Applicants may consist of convention and visitors’ bureaus, destination marking organizations, nonprofits,
including main street organizations, lodging associates, or chambers of commerce, and additionally the cities
or towns themselves.
Please read carefully and include all information. Omitting requested information could result in having your application
denied. Keep your answers clear, concise, and to the point of the question. Do not include presentation materials,
as these materials are more appropriate to be used as part of your oral presentation. Do not include brochures
or information not related to your project or request.
Submit completed signed application to the City Clerk’s office by the application deadline listed at the top of this
application. Applications will not be accepted if received after the application deadline.
Applicant Info
1. Applicant Information
Organization Name*
South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce
Street Address *
Street Address
1014 BAY ST STE 3
Address Line 2
City
PORT ORCHARD
State/Province/Region
WA
Postal/Zip Code
98366
Country
United States
Mailing Address (if different from street address)
Street Address
1014 BAY ST STE 3
Address Line 2
City
PORT ORCHARD
State/Province/Region
WA
Postal/Zip Code
98366
Country
United States
Type of Organization:*
Nonprofit Government Agency Other
Funding Requested for (choose one):*
Marketing and Operations of Events Tourism Marketing
Are you a first-time participant?*
Yes
No
2. Applicant Contact Information
Name*
Matthew Murphy
Position / Title*
President/CEO
Phone *
3608763505
Email Address*
MATT@PORTORCHARD.COM
Event / Project Details
3. Overall Event or Project Detail
Project Name*
Toursim Visitor Center and Marketing
Amount of funding requested*
$34,962.00
Total Overall Event or Project Amount*
$64,124.00
A. Describe your overall event or project.*
Every year, the Chamber of Commerce receives inquiries from potential visitors and new residents through email, our website, and phone calls. The Chamber
of Commerce serves as the local visitor information center, assisting walk-in visitors and answering calls throughout the year. In 2023, we observed a slight
improvement compared to 2022, with an increasing number of visitors coming to Port Orchard. We have noticed an increase in requests for information, and
we hope this translates into more visitors. Rest assured, we are committed to providing services to those seeking information about the area.
The Chamber of Commerce regularly sends out information packages in response to these inquiries. Our team also spends hours on the phone discussing
the unique features and attractions of the South Kitsap/Port Orchard Community. We are committed to continuing these efforts to provide information and
warmly welcome visitors to our region.
Due to the lack of support from the Kitsap County DMO (Visit Kitsap), a new Kitsap County Tourism Coalition was established. South Kitsap is actively involved
in this Coalition and will be collaborating closely with the new Kitsap County Tourism Organization. As a result of this collaboration, we will be receiving
additional funds from Kitsap County for the first time in years. These funds will enable us to offer more services and are represented on the budget
summary.
The Chamber of Commerce is committed to playing a larger role in our own tourism success. This year, we are requesting increased funding for our tourism
website and an additional visitor center in downtown Port Orchard. In addition to the Visitor Center at our Chamber office and the Kiosk in the Town Square
Mall, we will be upgrading our Kiosk at the Port Orchard Market to a full-blown visitor and community information center. Your support will help us achieve
our goals and provide better services to our visitors.
We are planning to update and reprint our popular “Getaway for the Day” brochure. This trifold brochure provides general information about South Kitsap
and encourages visitors to spend a day exploring the area. It highlights dining, shopping, and local attractions.
In 2024, the American Cruise Line is set to return to the Bremerton Waterfront. In 2023, they had over 40 stops planned. We are collaborating with Kitsap
Transit and the Cruise Line to attract more visitors to the Port Orchard Waterfront. However, one major concern among passengers is the fear of not making
it back to the cruise ship on time.
We also aim to take advantage of the newly installed “History Walk” signage and further develop the local flavor by showcasing the area’s “pioneering and
Mosquito Fleet heritage.”
B. Describe how your overall event or project will provide a community economic benefit.*
Tourism travel has been increasing steadily over the past two years. We are committed to supporting local businesses by promoting their events and making
South Kitsap an attractive destination for visitors. Most of the information requests we receive are through telephone or email, but we also welcome walk-in
visitors who are interested in learning more about local attractions and events.
Our goal is to provide visitors with information about the area and encourage them to spend a little more time in town. We offer information on things to do
and see, as well as events happening throughout the greater South Kitsap Area.
Projects like the History Walk encourage visitors and locals to explore the town a little longer, giving local businesses an opportunity to attract them to their
stores and restaurants. We are excited to continue developing our online presence, which is our most important asset, and we hope to receive your support
in our efforts to promote South Kitsap tourism.
C. Please describe how you will measure the impact your overall event or project will have on tourism or projected increase in
tourism. Please be specific and provide examples.*
It can be challenging to track the number of people who visit a town due to marketing efforts. Additionally, the construction in downtown Port Orchard over
the next few years is expected to have a significant negative impact on our local businesses. While we can collect visitor information from our websites, it can
be difficult to measure its direct impact.
To address this, the new Tourism Coalition will provide us with local data using Datafy. Datafy is a comprehensive data platform that helps us understand
visitation to our destinations and the impact of advertising efforts through targeted audiences. However, it’s important to note that Datafy is a costly tool and
will only be available to us starting in 2024.
Please upload any additional paperwork, if needed.
Exhibit C 2022 JLARC Reporting Form 2023 TVC funding request.pdf 160.68KB
Budget
4. Overall Event or Project Budget Summary
A. Describe, and be specific, on what you would spend the requested lodging tax funds on.*
To encourage funding, we plan to utilize the money received from lodging tax funds to offset a small portion of Chamber expenses. The lodging tax request
for normal Visitor Center/Tourism operations represents less than 8% of our total operating budget. This year, we are requesting additional funds for the
following purposes:
1. Establishing a new Visitor Center downtown.
2. Reprinting our Community Marketing piece, “Getaway for the Day”.
3. Conducting a major update to our tourism website.
Your support will help us enhance our services and promote the local area more effectively.
B. Income Other Than Lodging Tax (from sponsorships, grants, donation and admission fees)
If you anticipate receiving partial funding for this activity from another source, please list the source(s) approximate amount, and status of funding.
Indicate the entry or admission fee if one will be charged.
Source*Amount*Confirmed or Projected?*
Kitsap Touirism Coalistion $3,000.00 If projected, what is the anticipated receipt
date?
Projected
TOTAL*
(This is auto calculated from above)
$3,000.00
C. Other Expenses of Overall Event or Project (Only complete below boxes that are applicable to your overall event or project that you are seeking
funds for.)
Operations (postage, fuel, permit, etc.)Proposed City (LTAC) Funds Other Committed Funds Subtotals
$12,100.00 $17,863.00 $29,963.00
Event Marketing Proposed City (LTAC) Funds Other Committed Funds Subtotals
$0.00
Tourism Marketing Proposed City (LTAC) Funds Other Committed Funds Subtotals
$16,861.00 $4,800.00 $21,661.00
Other Activities (Please explain below)Proposed City (LTAC) Funds Other Committed Funds Subtotals
$7,500.00 $5,000.00 $12,500.00
Other Activities Explanation:
Proposed City (LTAC) Funds Subtotal Other Committed Funds Subtotal
$36,461.00 $27,663.00
TOTAL
$64,124.00
*City Lodging Tax funds would represent what percentage of your overall budget?
21
Can you operate this project with reduced funding?*
Yes (If Yes, Please explain below)
No
Explanation:
To encourage funding for the project, we would require full financial support. In the event that full funding is not granted, we would need to scale back
certain aspects of our project. However, we would still proceed with as much of the project as possible, considering the constraints of limited funding.
C. Other Financial Information
Does your overall event or project have provisions (or plans) for becoming less dependent on Lodging Tax funding? (Meaning does the
overall event or project have the ability to increase revenue by charging admission, increasing fees, etc.)*
We rely on cyclical lodging tax funding to operate. Without it, we would not be able to provide our services. Unfortunately, we have no means to recoup our
costs. This year, we are requesting funds to outfit a new visitor center, reprint our brochure, and make significant updates to our website. Your support will
help us continue to provide valuable services to our community.
If not, what are your challenges of generating new revenues:
The services we provide are offered as a courtesy and we have no means to recoup our costs.
Tourism
5. Estimated Numbers of Increased Tourism
*If you received lodging tax funds last year, you must attach last year’s reporting*
Applicants applying for use of LTAC funds must provide estimates of how it will result in increases in the number of people traveling for business or
pleasure on a trip as required by RCW 67.28.1816
The applicant hereby certifies and confirms that it does not now nor will it during the performance of any contract resulting from this
proposal unlawfully discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, client, customer, or other person(s) by reason of
race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, or disability. That it will abide by all relevant local, state, and federal laws
and regulations. That it has read and understands the information contained in this application for funding and is in compliance with
the provisions thereof, and; that the individual signing below has the authority to certify to these provisions for the applicant
organization, and declares that he/she is an authorized official of the applicant organization, is authorized to make this application, is
authorized to commit the organization in financial matters, will assure that any funds received as a result of this application are used
for the purposes set forth herein, and verifies that all the information contained in this application is valid and true to the best of his/her
knowledge.
Projected*
Overall Attendance:15,000
Previous Next
Attendees who traveled 50 miles or
more to attend:
Total:
Of total, attendees who traveled
from another state or country:
Attendees who stayed overnight:
Paid accommodations:
Unpaid accommodations:
Paid Lodging nights:
5,000
15,000
2,000
1,750
250
1,500
750
Signature*
Certified by:
Date*
09/18/2023
Print Name *
Matthew Murphy
Title*
President/CEO
EXHIBIT C
JLARC Municipality Reporting - 2022 Port Orchard
DUE JANUARY 31, 2023
Activity Attendance Information
Projected Actual (Estimated)*Methodology (See description page)
Activity Name:Overall attendance:
Structured Estimate
Notes:
Organization Name:
Attendees who traveled:
50 miles or more:
**Activity Type (see glossary page):Structured Estimate
Out of State or Country:
Structured Estimate
Activity Date:Notes:
Start Date:End Date:
Attendees who stayed overnight:
In Paid accommodations:Structured Estimate
Funds
Requested:In Unpaid accommodations:Structured Estimate
$
Awarded:Notes:
$
Total Cost of Activity:Paid lodging nights:
$Structured Estimate
Notes:
Comments:
Tourism Market
Tourism Visitor center & marketing
South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce
1/4/2022 12/31/2022
15800
13430
13504.53
12500
4000
2000
250
1500
750
7500
3500
1000
125
1000
500