Preparing for Summer Visitors

Part 2

By Kate McAlister

Summer started early for us this year; let’s hope it stays until October.  With the beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing it’s easy to see why visitors make this a destination.  After they meet us, it’s easy to understand why they come back year after year. The combination of scenic beauty and our friendly, thoughtful community is exactly what travelers are seeking; an authentic, fun experience.

Last month we talked about the demographics of our visitors; where they come from, how they heard about us and what are they looking for when it comes to using their precious vacation time.  So how do they spend the most money when they get here?

When I asked Melody Circo, Chamber Visitor Center expert, where visitors spent the most money, without hesitation she said, “Visitors who come to Sandpoint for a few hours or a couple of weeks will most definitely spend money on dining, shopping and entertainment.”

According to the State of Idaho and the commissioned Longwoods report, when it comes to spending, more than half of every visitor dollar is spent on “food, shopping and entertainment”. They could have saved money and asked Melody because she was right on the dot with her answer. In 2008 total spending in the state from overnight visits equaled 1.8 billion dollars, yes ‘billion’.  Overall visitor expenditures included $502 million for lodging, $412 million for food and beverage, $333 million for retail, $298 million for transportation and $218 million for recreations/sight-seeing and entertainment. 

Domestic and international travelers to Idaho spent $3.5 billion and generated $499.7 million to federal, state and local governments, dollars helping fund jobs and public programs such as police, firefighters, teachers, road projects and convention centers.

• The 26,000 jobs created by travelers to Idaho represent 4.0 percent of the state’s total non-farm employment.

• Without these jobs generated by domestic and international travel, Idaho’s unemployment rate of 4.9 percent would have been 8.3 percent of the labor force.

• For every $1 million spent in Idaho by domestic and international travelers, 7 jobs are created.  1 in every 8 jobs is tourism related.

 Idaho’s tourism industry has been growing faster than the national average and since 2003, has grown by 22.9%, contributing over $3 billion to Idaho’s economy. 

The Idaho Travel Council, a division of the Idaho Department of Commerce Tourism Division, awarded almost $3.2 million in grant dollars in August 2012 to 28 organizations to assist them in promoting their regions. The grant funds come from the bed tax and total lodging tax receipts are dispersed as follows:

• 10% to administration of the tax
• 45% to fund travel promotion statewide
• 45% to the region from which it came as travel and convention promotion grants

The Idaho Travel Council (ITC) is made up of eight individuals appointed by the Governor for three year terms, representing the seven regions of Idaho plus one member-at-large.  This group determines the rules and regulations around state tourism and also determines the grant awards.

For us, the grant writing process starts in late February with our Tourism Sandpoint Council – Visit Sandpoint, as we discuss our marketing strategy for the coming year. All grant funds have to be spent out of the area to encourage travelers to visit our communities. Our ads appear in publications such as: Outdoors NW, The Swerve (in Calgary), the Inlander (Spokane), Horizon/Alaska Air, NW Travel and others.  All ads list upcoming events in the area to lure visitors to town.  We are also responsible for our award winning visitor guide; we won best in state in 2010 and 2011.  This year, 2013, we won best website in the state for www.VisitSandpoint.com.

Our Chamber Tourism Council is made up of 15 members representing; lodging – 5, Retail – 3, Activities – 3, Public Relations and media – 3, and a BID representative.  This group is a closed council and businesses have to be a member of Visit Sandpoint to be eligible to be on the council.  This council is democratically run and majority rules. 

The first round of the grant is submitted on April 25^th each year and presented in the first week of May at the State recreation and tourism conference.  Final submission is the first Monday in June.  We find out what our award is the first week in August.  The Chamber receives 10% of the grant for grant administration, as you may guess there is a terrific amount of paperwork and time spent throughout the year to comply with State regulations.  Last year we requested $231,000 and were awarded $111,137.  For 2014 we are asking for $267,700.

We all do a tremendous regarding tourism and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the hard work that goes on all summer.  Visitors add to our economic vitality substantially and help raise the tide for those who work on the frontlines whether serving food or being at the front counters in retail. If we can raise their standard of living, we all benefit.

That’s tourism in a nutshell for our area.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here at the Chamber. We will be talking about the visitor experience at the June 13 General Membership Luncheon.  Our very own Melody Circo will be there to tell what visitors experience when they arrive at our door.

Here’s to a great visitor season. Remember, it’s about Succeeding Together! See you around town!

Preparing for Summer Visitors

Part 1

By Kate McAlister

It is hard to believe Lost in the 50’s is three weeks away. In addition to being a fabulous event, it’s the economic ‘boost’ we look forward to in the shoulder season, and we are thankful.  Thank you Carolyn and crew for all you do and all the visitors you bring to town year after year.

As we prepare for Lost in the 50’s and other visitors this summer I wanted to give you a brief overview of tourism in our area in my April and May articles.

How do visitors decide to vacation in our area? The number one reason for overnight visitation was our recreational opportunities with the lake and camping.  Those of us who live here love it and we talk about it to all our friends, relatives and anyone who will listen and we are so good at painting the picture of what a paradise we live in, people are compelled to visit.  This along with the advertising we do outside of the area to entice visitors helps create economic vitality for those businesses who rely on tourism. Once visitors are here they want to stay, or definitely come back.  When they go home and tell others about us we get even more people wanting to come and see what we are all about.  We have a reputation for being a very friendly and welcoming town. I’ve heard comments from visitors about how nice it is to come to a town where people still have manners. Our biggest selling point, after the natural beauty, is our people.  We are fabulous people.

According to the state commissioned Longwoods study in 2008, we have a snapshot of what the Idaho visitor represents and what they like to do. Demographically speaking visitors to Idaho in general are more likely to come from the Mountain and Pacific regions of the United States. In our area, especially over the last several years, we are seeing a lot of visitors from drought ridden states. Our abundance of water is very compelling.  In a recent poll done by Rand McNally when asked ‘what states would you visit for adventure’?  Idaho was listed as the number two state for adventure right after Utah.  Other statistics from the state study; more visitors are female; 74% are couples; 58% do not have children; 81% have gone to college and 40% are retired.  For our area the statistics are comparable to the overall state. In addition, we also have a larger share of Gen Xer’s and Millennial visitors due to our variety of outdoor activities from the mountains to the lakes. Families love our area as well since we always offer a great family experience.

Some of the other key findings from the state:

•       Market share: Overall travel to Idaho grew 3.9%, higher than the national average of 2.9%. The biggest gains were in leisure travel and day trips.

•       Party size: While data showed some slippage in Idaho’s average travel party size (2.74 in 2000-2002 to 2.59 in 2003-2005), it still rates slightly higher than both the U.S. (2.43) and competitive western states (2.53) average party size.

•       Spending: Travel spending in Idaho is growing faster than in the U.S. and competitive states.

•       Motivations: Visiting friends and families, enjoying a getaway weekend, or attending special events.

Our visitors come from everywhere with the highest concentration being from other parts of Idaho, Washington, Texas, California, Oregon and internationally, our friends to the North in Canada. Here at the Visitors Center we have seen a rise in those visitors coming from Texas.

Next month we’ll talk about the spending habits of our visitors, jobs created and the process for the state grant Visit Sandpoint applies for each year to promote tourism in our area. 

See you around town!  Remember your manners, we have visitors coming!

Service Animals and Your Business

It has come to our attention that many businesses are unaware of the laws and regulations when it comes to service animals and their owners. We are here to help! 

Service animals come in all shapes and sizes. One myth you my believe is they all wear the vests like the dogs in the picture to the left. However, not all service animals wear their vests and by law they are not required to do so. Paperwork or certifications are also not legally required to grant them access into your place of business. 

Defining Service Animals: Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Please click here for more information>>

There are two things which you, a business, may ask when a service animals wishes to enter your place of business. First, you may ask if the dog or service animal is required because of a disability. Secondly, you may ask what work or task the service animal is trained to perform. The latter is a question that can vary quite a lot in answers. In today's world, service animals are used for a variety of things. You may not ask that the dog demonstrate the ability to perform the task, as well as, 

Please, click here to view the most commonly asked questions about service animals in places of business >>

It is illegal, as well has unethical, to misrepresent or fraudulently call your animals a Service Animal or Assistance Dog. 

If you have any questions about service animal requirements of the ADA, you may call the US Department of Justice's Information Line at (800) 514-0301. 

Record Snowpack at Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer’s summit depth reaches 109 inches, deepest early season snowpack on record

Sandpoint, ID – Schweitzer Mountain Resort has been pummeled with over 180 inches of snow this season. The early season snow has allowed Schweitzer to open all 2900 acres of terrain with a village depth of 77 inches and a summit depth of 109 inches. Snow report records dating back to the 82/83 season show this as the deepest early season snowpack on record.

Schweitzer’s Ski Patrol Director, Arlene Cook, has been patrolling at Schweitzer for 30 years and can’t remember a December with this much snow. “Simply put, it feels like February” said Cook. When asked about the season Cook replied “When you can’t count the number of powder days you’ve had in December, you know it’s been a good season.”

Schweitzer is currently enjoying some of the best snow conditions in the nation. With mid-winter snowpack in December, Schweitzer is expecting another outstanding winter. With a season running into April and snow continuing to blanket the resort, Schweitzer is well on its way to eclipsing their average annual snowfall of 300 inches.

“To see 180 inches this early in the season is extraordinary,” said Schweitzer Marketing and Sales Director Dave Kulis. “We are happy to be able to offer midwinter conditions this early on in the year. We are also excited to have these conditions entering the new year!”

Daily snow reports at Schweitzer first began being tracked in 76/77, however didn’t include summit or village snow depths until the 83/84 season. Daily, year-to-date, snow totals weren’t calculated until the 01/02 season. Schweitzer’s 180 inches to date, is the most on record as well.

Idaho’s 5-1-1 Service Provides Current Road Conditions for Travelers

Changes to 5-1-1 system allow drivers to customize information, receive alerts

BOISE, Idaho—December 21, 2012—Idaho’s 5-1-1 Program, a public service of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Idaho Department of Commerce Division of Tourism, is designed to help travelers access information about travel conditions and road closures, weather, and tourism information via the phone (dial 5-1-1 or 1-888-432-7623), the web (511.idaho.gov), and mobile web applications.  Information is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to users.

ITD introduced new options to the 511 Traveler Services program this year that allow drivers to tailor reports to their needs.  At 511.idaho.gov (click New Account in upper right corner), drivers may register for a free account and will have the option of receiving direct reports for preferred routes through email, text messages or Twitter.  They also can choose a statewide option that delivers information about road blockages or closures and active Amber Alerts.

“Improvements to the system allow direct delivery of information, based on what drivers need, when they need it, and how they need it,” explains Tony Ernest with ITD and manager of the system. “At the same time, we remind drivers that Idaho has enacted a new texting law. It is unsafe, and now illegal, to check mobile devices while driving in the state of Idaho.”

Travel is meant to be fun and the 5-1-1 system is designed to improve safety.  As a result, motorists are encouraged to check conditions before operating a vehicle or to entrust a passenger with the task. When calling 5-1-1, users that select the Tourism Information option (option 5 in main menu) will be routed to the Idaho Tourism office and will be assisted by staff during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
ITD joins only Minnesota and Iowa on the CARS (Condition Acquisition Reporting System) coalition that offer automated Twitter feeds. Idaho’s system is continually evolving and improving, Ernest says.  It remains one of the most robust, feature-laden systems in the country.

Visitors to the Web site will find two bandwidth options: The low-bandwidth site that may be best for users who access the Web through dial-up connections, or a high-bandwidth version for high-speed Internet users. Both sites offer maps and a list of available features, as well as images from more than 130 roadside cameras so travelers can learn about the highway conditions on Idaho’s mountain passes.

A mobile website is available for customers using “Smartphone” mobile devices. Type 511.idaho.gov in the address bar and the Web site automatically redirects all phones to the mobile website.  When clicking on Tourism Information, visitors are directed to the state’s tourism Web site, www.visitidaho.org, for information on attractions, events and lodging.

For more information on the ITD’s 5-1-1 Program visit 511.idaho.gov.  For Idaho visitor information and travel ideas, please go to www.visitidaho.org or call 1-800-Visit-ID to request an Idaho Travel Guide.

Greater Sandpoint area Chamber of Commerce Plans Building Renovation, Move to Scenic Sand Creek Location

Greater Sandpoint area Chamber of Commerce Plans Building Renovation, Move to Scenic Sand Creek Location

Renovation returns operation to long-time home with help from Panhandle Building Contractors Association

In support of its long term mission and to plan for the future, the Greater Sandpoint Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a capital campaign and renovation project to return Chamber operations the former Sand Creek location on Hwy 95. The project culminates months of planning by the Chamber’s Capital and Infrastructure team, tasked with finding a permanent home for the Chamber. After extensive and thoughtful deliberation, the Chamber Board of Directors enthusiastically approved the construction project and upcoming return.

“Countless volunteer hours have been put in to plan for this move and many factors were examined. Our original move from the Sand Creek property in 2009 was necessary due to structural issues with the building – it was not a choice, but a necessity at the time.  We’ve spent the time since planning for our eventual return by creating a funding and renovation plan that will create a facility to forward our mission of business development and tourism growth,” noted Clif Warren, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors.

During the planning process, the new Capital & Infrastructure team, led by mortgage loan originator for Loan Star Mortgage and board member Jim Lovell, determined, along with architectural and contracting experts, the building had great ‘bones’ and the decision was made to go forward with prioritizing what was needed to make it functional again.

The strategic team talked to several contractors and explored many different options. Being a non-profit, non-governmental organization, fiscally responsible renovation was the first priority.  Panhandle Building Contractors Association (PBCA), are contributing their time, resources and expertise towards the project and other local business partners such as Schweitzer Mountain Resort are making significant financial investments.

A piece of historical value has surfaced which was lost through the years -- the Highway 95 location was known as Monument Park. Additional research on the history of Monument Park is ongoing - if anyone has any information on Monument Park, please contact the Chamber.

The Chamber’s Visitor Center serves 10,000 visitors annually and the staff is looking forward to being back at the location to better serve the region and businesses. For more information, please contact the Chamber at 263-2161 and keep up on the construction on the Chamber’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/Chamber7B.