The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee made recommendations to the Sumner City Council of which organizations should receive the funds and the Sumner Downtown Association isn’t on the list.
Sumner Communications Director Carmen Palmer presented the findings to the council at Monday’s meeting. The advisory committee heard presentations from the non-profit or government agencies applying for the funds.
The $50,000 in lodging tax grants came from the revenue from Sumner hotels and is intended to promote tourism, which is defined as journeying from at least 50 miles away.
Three entities were recommended to the council to receive funds and they are the Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau, the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sumner.
Arla Holzschuh, the executive director of the Sumner Downtown Association, said it’s not devastating to not receive the funds applied for because creating a tourism program is a long process. She said Port Angeles, where she worked in the same position, eventually received the funding it strived for. She said once a town garners wider recognition, it is easier to get the funds. Sumner is making headway in the publicity department including a feature on its Berryland Café on “Evening Magazine” and visits from food writers outside the area.
The council approved the recommendations unanimously and the dispersal of funds is:
– The Tacoma Regional Convention Center & Visitor Bureau is provided $15,000 for an increased marketing campaign including a full-page in the Tacoma-Pierce County Visitor Guide and increased publicity on traveltacoma.com. The convention and visitor bureau plans to create a culinary and agri-tourism program emphasizing Puyallup and Sumner.
– The Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce is to receive $24,390 for a Sumner visitor information center to be located at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse. Visitor information packets may be provided at Sumner School District sporting events and hotels and visitor guides will be updated and printed. A restaurant guide is in the works and Shelly Schlumpf, director of the Puyallup/Sumner chamber, thought of the concept for Rhubarb Ramblings, which will feature events geared toward the town’s rhubarb pie theme.
– The City of Sumner is receiving $10,500 for the purpose of renting a billboard on HWY 167 for a month to advertise the town. Signs are planned to go in the town directing visitors to attractions including the downtown area, the upcoming visitor center and the Ryan House. The city’s website advertising its rhubarb pie fame is planned to be moved to its own domain, making it accessible to more viewers and to determine online site traffic.
