TMAC National Board Meeting
September 15 – 12:00pm EST
Via Zoom:
Present: Tracy Ford, Paul Knowles, Jami Savage, Jerry Grymek, Donna Hatt, Bria Weaver, Judi Cohen, Pam Wamback, Grant Fraser, Yashy Murphy, Voula Martin, Wendy Nordvik-Carr, Kattrin Duncan
Regrets: Darcy Rhyno, Guy Theriault, Rod Charles, Noelle Aune, Pat Lee, Ayngelina Brogan
Agenda
- Call to Order – TF
Tracy called the meeting to order at 12:12pm
- Approval of Agenda – TF
Approval moved by Jami, seconded by Judi
- Approval of Minutes
Approval moved by Kattrin, seconded by Paul
4.0 Business Arising
– Conference Action items follow up – DH
Sponsor follow up will be pursued by Jerry
Yashy will suggest how best to use 2 hours of Remo time
Jami will be doing a platform review
Chapter Chairs to review communications.
- Financial Report – DR
Monthly Financial Reports:
July reviewed and accepted by committee (attached)
August (attached)
– Fiscal Year-end forecast update
Donna provided an update on behalf of Darcy reporting the following from the committee meeting.
– Credit card transaction fees will be reviewed.
– DCI receivable of $2500 still outstanding
– A forecast deficit of $36k, down from $53k previously projected
– A review will be undertaken on the $73k GIC, with recommendations to be brought forward to the October meeting. GIC matures on Nov 28, 2021
Motion to accepted the July and August Financials as presented moved by Grant, seconded by Jerry
6.0 National Committee Reports:
Governance Committee -JS Chair provided an update
Committee Mandate descriptions completed.
KD requested that these be shared once approved and posted on the TMAC website. This will help to recruit committee members.
Motion to approve committee mandates – Moved by Jami, Seconded by Paul
A verbal report on Code of Conduct was received
Advocacy Sub-Committee – DH provided update
Registration is complete for TF and JC to attend the TIAC Congress in Ottawa (Nov 30-Dec 1, 2021) in person. Budget reflects expenses
DH secured three virtual attendees for the Congress, likely to be DH, JS and PK
Business cards for JC and TF along with a luggage tag with who TMAC is and how to get in touch with us are being costed out.
JS asked what the Deliverable and ROI from participating in the TIAC Congress is. Response – TMAC has a big voice in tourism in Canada, we will share what we are doing, and take some credit for how our members have been helping businesses back on their feet. Another objective will be to generate more members, both media and industry, and to share our voice and raise the profile of TMAC. The significance of travel media in the recovery of travel is key.
Beth Potter in her presentation on September 13 spoke about our role in contributing to the mindset of tourism employees, and to featuring tourism as a sustainable, viable and progressive sector. Labour shortages continue to challenge our industry partners.
Strategic Planning Committee – No update
2021 Awards Committee- TF provided update as acting chair
Meeting held on August 31. Categories are being reviewed and will be finalized by end of October
Judges to be named by December
Competition will open in January 2022
Looking for industry members to join the committee
A committee chair has not yet been identified
Conference Committee, Co-Chairs GT & PW – PW provided an update
Met with JG about sponsorship opportunities
Will be meeting with local host committee after Thanksgiving to review pre and post trips, day trips and dine-around options. It was noted that SW Region is co-hosting with Yarmouth
KD inquired if there will be a hybrid option. This will be decided in the future. In-person would be the ideal. An early bird option will be extended to the end of April to provide maximum flexibility.
Communications Committee – Chair YM (Brand Guide was attached to the agenda for review)
Comments on the Brand Guidelines should be sent to YM by September 21.
Working on a Social Media Plan. It was noted that our Facebook group numbers are down. This is because non-members are being removed.
Future Host Committee & Sponsorship Committee, Chair JG provided an update
Making an effort to the sponsorship information out by end of week
A request for volunteers will go out in newsletters
No update on Future Host Committee, TH to reach out for volunteers
Human Resources Committee: Co-Chairs JG & DR -no update provided
Membership Committee (Media & Industry): Chair VACANT, BW gave an update
Focus over the next quarter on the media qualification process, media points system and membership benefits.
Media qualification will be on hold until May 2022
No committee chairs yet, but the call has been put out there
Meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month
The installment payment option was well received my members
National PD Committee, Chair KD
Thanked DH and TF for organizing the TIAC PD Session, attended by 30 people
KD wants to see survey results
Coming up – October 1, Tik Tok 101, and October 29, Monetizing Your Blog, November 9, Indigenous Tourism
Recordings of all PD sessions are on the National PD Section of the TMAC website
Thought being given to using Remo platform for the Holiday gathering
7.0 Chapter Reports/Updates
BC & Yukon WNC provided an update
Upcoming events include September 29, Birding with Me, October will focus on Tofino, November on Squamish, Suncoast and Revelstoke, and a PD day is being planned for the spring
The Chapter Facebook page is being worked on
WNC asked how chapter chairs and boards can help support the National Board
Suggestions included looking at the governance table and continuing with all-chapter board meetings
Some discussion of the Nathan Fong Award
Prairies & NWT -VM provided an update
Chapter was previously only Alberta
Events last summer included a 1 and 2-day trail ride to Banff
September, a hosted hike was held, November PD event planned, Tips on Indigenous topics, December, skating function outdoors, Spring PD session with a meeting in Winnipeg
Currently looking for a Chair and Secretary
Ontario -JG provided an update
Events – September 21 Munch & Mingle, September 23/24 In person fam trip to Niagara Falls, October 5, Perth County Road Trip
DH mentioned that a link to all TMAC activities (national and chapters) will be on the website. Important to keep BW and DH in the loop with the most up-to-date information.
Atlantic -PW provided an update
A semi-annual meeting of the Atlantic Chapter Board will be held on September 27
8.0 Staff Reports
(included in package, attached are monthly time reports for July and August)
Membership Relations Officer Report – BW
Total Members: 284 (Media: 168 / Industry: 116)
Social Media Report (attached)
CAO Report – DH (attached)
9.0 New Business – TF
9.1 Position on Vaccine Passport (attached document from TIAC, summary below)
TIAC Official Position/Recommendations for elected Party:
• Ensure Canada follows a national approach to proof of vaccination and travel policies;
• Use current international and industry data to inform the reduction or elimination of quarantine requirements;
• Provide federal guidance on a policy roadmap to safely reopen provincial/territorial and international borders by managing the risk of contagion with testing and proof of vaccination as a replacement for quarantine measures; and
• Provide tourism businesses with tax credits to help defray costs associated with safety protocols.
DH reminded members to listen to Beth Potter's presentation and to view the Tourism Votes Document if they were interested.
Concern was expressed by board members about TMAC engaging in politics. Industry members Kattrin and Pam are prohibited by their organizations to engage in politics and political lobbying. Furthermore, they are not allowed to ask about vaccine status, deny entry to venues or ask questions of individuals. It was noted that the SATW Conference in Milwaukee is requiring vaccines.
9.2 Liability Insurance Review
Documents were received in the agenda package. No discussion
10. In Camera –
Motion to move in Camera TF
Motion to move out of camera. TF
Summary of discussion provided by TF
11.0 Next Meeting – TF
October 20, 12:00 pm EST via zoom.
11.1 Meeting Adjournment
Motion to adjourn TF
Meeting was adjourned at 1:53 pm EST.