Committee reviews Seaside marketing results, guide production and budget-request timeline

Staff presented the tourism bureau’s financial and marketing review through November, reporting that the recent Seaside holiday campaign produced substantial web traffic and lead growth while remaining a relatively modest ad spend. Highlights cited by staff included 98% growth in web users, 73% growth in sessions, a 176% increase in email signups and 85,000 printed guides distributed through November.

Staff listed paid media and vendors: paid search work, KPTV (Fox weather cam) placement, Worthy Marketing for the November work across Astoria/Seaside/Cannon Beach/Clatsop County, IHeart Portland radio spots, and broadcast buys on KGW, KING and Cairo markets. KGW delivered almost 1,000,000 impressions for a November–November buy, KING delivered about 700,000 impressions and the Cairo market nearly 1,000,000; staff said KING will run additional spots to hit contracted impressions.

Operational items included the upcoming Oregon Destination Association conference (panel participation), welcome center holiday closures (Dec. 25, Jan. 1), color‑proof review dates for the 2026 guide (Jan. 7–8) and shipment timing for the new guide in January. Staff also reported an open part‑time position (current part‑timer accepted a full‑time state job with a last day of Dec. 27) and reminded the committee that the deadline to submit budget requests for next fiscal year is Dec. 28; staff instructed members to send any budget ideas before that date.

Committee members asked about signage and wayfinding projects, accessibility improvements on the north and south approaches, and using some tourism funds for targeted beautification and parking improvements. Members suggested exploring digital reader boards and Chevron-area signage to better divert highway traffic into town. The committee confirmed the next meeting for Jan. 21.