HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 2/8/2023
2022-07-20 Minutes
Minutes of the
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 4:30 PM
EOC
Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, James Crandall, Jeremy Oswald, Steve Sandstrom, and John
Rautio
Members Absent:
Others Present: Mary D. Motiff, Tourism Director; David Eades, Fair Coordinator
I. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:30 by Fickbohm
II. Motion Regarding November 16, 2022, Tourism-Fair Committee Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve by Rautio, second Oswald – motion carried.
III. Public Comment: – Limited to 3 minutes per person. - None
IV. Budget Review:
Did well on revenue and expenses - bottom line - $274,000 budgeted - came in at $218,000, less in
personnel costs for fair some increase in misc. supplies for fair. Both tourism and fair under budget.
Motion to receive and place on file. Sandstrom carried.
V. Discussion on Staffing
Motiff described the need for more staff to handle the workload. Currently, the coordinator is
only part time. Asking to make it full time. This would free up Motiff for Tourism and reduce
inefficiencies with staff having to catch each other up tasks. The committee needs to know how
expenses will be made up. More events. More tourism. How can you make the case that the
added expense in wages will be offset by income? (Rautio) Hold more events (rent), camping, etc.
(Fickbohm) Web work and outside work that Motiff does. Can this be reduced to free up your
time? (Oswald) We are meeting goals so do we need more tourism? (Oswald) What kind of
tourism do we want - short term or long term (Sandstrom) Need accurate job description for
Motiff and Eades (Sandstrom) Define what Motiff should be doing as opposed to what she is
doing. (Crandall)
VI. Discussion on 2023 Fair Planning
Motiff- spoke with Carnival and learned about other fairs and prices. Crandall asked about rodeos
- Great Frontier was not at convention. Monster Truck contract not signed but hopefully there
will be no issues.
2022-07-20 Minutes
VII. Buildings and Grounds Update
A. 4H Market Sale Projects Update
Fickbohm - maybe use binder gravel instead of concrete. Can keep using the tent -
issues with health department with pavilion too close to the barn.
B. Campground Application
Working on it. Need a variance for camping within 100 feet of a barn.
C. Other
Free exhibitors. Hopefully get more.
VIII. Tourism Report from Director
A. Department Goals & Objectives with Activities
Doing co-op ads with ITBEC, Byway, NGLVC, Bayfield Chamber & VB - meeting goals
B. Measurable Data Review including Analytics & Sales Tax
Sales tax - up most months last year. Up 8% last year. Do not know what is specific to
tourism but are working on figuring that out. Reviewed visitor webpage - Widgets on
website, pdf of guide, Shrpa itineraries.
Byway page on WisDOT site, new story map by WisDOT, insert for Byways will be
included in Rustic Roads brochure.
IX. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date
April 12, 4:30pm EOC
X. Adjournment
Adjourn 6pm
Respectfully submitted by:
Mary D. Motiff
Director, Tourism & Fair