The City of Forks received a small ‘lodging tax advisory committee’ grant from Clallam County to undertake geolocation data-based marketing analysis associated with events in the Forks, La Push and Hoh Rainforest region (West End).  The purpose of the research and market analysis is to gain better insight to the travel patterns of visiting guests at West End festivals, as well as at various points in time in the past two years and the upcoming year associated with the request for Geolocation Data License/Access.  The initial idea/hypothesis is that with such information there could be ways to increase event participation and visitor stays by targeting new or emerging regional markets via low-cost advertising and promotion efforts.

The City is seeking services in the form of a license to access, use, and reprint information obtained from a firm’s consolidating geolocation data to complete the grant requirements.  With the acquired licensed access, the City would develop two page summary reports comparing the geolocation data to collected zip code data, along with undertaking a simple economic impact analysis utilizing the geolocation data for specific events such as: Rainfest Quilt Show; Washington Coastal Clean Up; Fred Orr Baseball/Softball Tournament; West End Thunder Drag Races; Forks High School Graduation; Beaver Farmer Markets; Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July; Quileute Days; Hot August Nights; Forever Twilight in Forks; Heritage Days; etc.

In addition, the City would also develop two page summaries for purported ‘high traffic’ or high-volume weekend or weekday event at sites such as: the Hoh Rainforest; Rialto Beach; Ruby Beach; etc.  Additional locations may be reviewed within the 30-mile radius depending upon City staff availability to undertake the research, analysis, and writing.

Licensed access to responding firms consolidated geolocation data needs to provide the following:

Request is for specific funding to acquire the services of a license from a firm consolidating geolocation data to determine:

1. Visitors’ location of origin.
2. Visitors’ prior travel location before coming to one of the chosen locations (for example, Forks, La Push, the Hoh Rain Forest, etc.).
3. Visitors’ subsequent travel location after coming to the chosen location.

d.   Of the visitors found within the reports associated with events or dates, summations of the top ten origin locations for visitors deemed to be participating in the above events, or chosen locations,  based upon geolocation data parameters. 

e.   In addition, the City would develop similar “top ten lists” for ‘visitors prior to’ and ‘following after locations’ for each of the above events.

Depending upon the selected contractor, additional information may be requested, analyzed, referenced, and/or included in the created reports in response to the County LTAC grant.

The City envisions only City staff utilizing the licensed access and believes that at most three of its staff would be involved in this project. 

The City would make the collection of the developed reports available to event organizers, Forks Chamber of Commerce, Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau, County LTAC, City of Forks Council & Mayor, and Clallam County Board of Commissioners.  The City would develop an “in the can” presentation summarizing the information learned from the development of the reports and the data collected.  The City would offer that presentation to interested groups such as those above.  City would work with the selected firm to also ensure proper credit and reference to said firm was provided in reports, presentations, and discussions with media about the results of the study.

The City would like to have the initial project done by 31 Dec 2024 with the ability to continue to access the licensed data and update the initial reports over the course of 2025 through 1 October 2025.

Licensed access must also provide the City staff access to data collected in 2023 (1 Jan – 31 Dec);
2024 (1 Jan to the start date of licensed access est. 15 Oct 2024); and,
continuing through 1 October 2025.

In addition to the price of the license, the City will be considering the period of time access is being provided; the ease of accessing data and generating reports for the events/dates of interest to the City; availability of technical assistance from the selected company to designated City users; and, training sessions and materials for designated City users. 

Quotes need to be submitted on this form to the City of Forks by fax or hand delivered by NO LATER THAN (NLT) Noon, 16 September 2024.  Page three of this request is the quote form to be used.  Responding companies may provide up to three additional total pages (1.5 if double sided) information regarding their company’s license/services.