HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 11/13/2018Tourism Meeting minutes 11-13-2018
Minutes of the
BAYFIELD TOURISM & FAIR COMMITTEES
Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Conference Room A, Bayfield County Courthouse Building, 5th Street, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, James Crandall, Fred Strand, Tom Snilsberg, Jeremy Oswald (late)
Others Present: Mary D. Motiff, Tourism Director; Ursula M. Garrison, Fair Coordinator
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:30PM by Fickbohm.
II. Motion: (Strand/Crandall) to approve the minutes, with a correction to the date, from the September
18, 2018, Tourism/Fair Committee Meetings. Motion Carried.
III. Public Comment – No public Comment
IV. Budget Review – Motiff reviewed 2018 Tourism and Fair Budgets with committee members. Some
individual line items are higher than budgeted but this is balanced by others that are under. Overall,
we are within our budget parameters.
V. Tourism Update – Motiff gave a staffing update; Interviews were recently conducted to fill the
vacancy in the Tourism Department. A hiring decision is expected next week. Motiff also discussed
Department Goals and Objectives: Sales Tax, Podcast Analytics, Facebook statistics, and the
upcoming episode of Discover Wisconsin, “Non-motorized Trails” episode which will air on February
2nd. We are currently looking for partners for a “Motorized” episode.
VI. Discussion and Possible Action on 2019 Tourism Advertising Plan – Motiff shared with the
committee a draft of the 2019 Tourism Draft Advertising Schedule. She indicated there are requests
that are not currently in the budget – Big Top Chautauqua – Tent Show Sponsorship (split with
Ashland County Tourism $5K each). There was consensus to approve the Advertising Schedule as
presented.
VII. Fair Planning
A. Carnival – We are working on an updated contract and are in discussions with Spectrum, who
would like us to move our dates, and Badgerland Midways who will work with our
current dates. The consensus of the Committee is to keep our dates and proceed with
a contract with Badgerland Midways, LLC.
B. Bull Riding – Consensus of the committee is to increase the purse by an additional $500 to
attract a better caliber of participants.
C. ATV Races – The possibility of having ATV races at the fairgrounds was discussed, but no details
have been received.
D. Convention – Motiff, Garrison, and committee members (TBD) will attend the Wisconsin
Association of Fairs.
VIII. Building & Grounds Update – Motiff reported updates on Winter Storage, which has been completed
for the year. Phase 1 of the Electrical Project is 99.5% completed. There were additional costs not
included in the budget for Posts ($2,200) and ground plates ($4,000), for an additional $6000. While
not planned, we do have money in the budget to cover the additional expenses. Winterization of the
Tourism Meeting minutes 11-13-2018
fairground’s facilities is complete. The door to the Saferoom needs to be repaired. The tree planting
grant was approved.
IX. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date – Convention may have a Quorum. Next meeting set for
January 29 at 4:30 pm
X. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Ursula M. Garrison
Fair Secretary