Minutes: Tourism: March 2012

City of Evansville Economic Development Committee Subcommittee on Tourism Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 2 PM Creekside Place, 102 Maple St., Evansville, WI MINUTES 1. Call to order at 2:10 p.m. 2. Roll call. Present: Sue Berg, Mary Rajek; Ex Officio Sandy Decker, Jim Brooks. Guest: John Decker. Absent: Greg Ardisson, Susan Farnsworth, Dave VanDerHaegen. 3. Motion to approve agenda. Tabled due to lack of quorum. 4. Motion to waive the reading of the February 29, 2012, minutes and approve them as printed. Tabled due to lack of quorum. 5. Citizen appearances. John Decker reported that he would represent the Civil War Rally ‘Round the Flag event at the Civil War Expo to be held March 24 in Kenosha. 6. Discover Wisconsin. The current contract with Discover Wisconsin ends in June. Four options to renew are available: a. $36,000 to produce a new 30-minute TV program in a 2-year contract identical to the last one; b. $18,000/$12,000 to join a group of 6 destinations featured in one 30-minute TV program broadcasted in one season ($18,000 for 3 broadcasts in spring/summer; $12,000 for 2 broadcasts in fall or winter); c. $10,000 to be a part of a theme program with up to 4 destinations in a 30-minute TV program in a contract otherwise identical to the $36,000 option d. $3500 + $3500 for a 2-year contract that extends the life of the current program on video links plus Discover Wisconsin web presence (destination page, calendar). $3500 is the 2-year commitment to be matched by $3500 in local advertising sales led by DW. e. The $10,000 program has a unique opportunity. DW is in the process of working on an Ice Age Trail program focusing on the Rock County area. The IAT Alliance has contributed funds; remaining cost is $6500. Janesville CVB and Chamber have invited Evansville to share in the program at a rate of $2000. Distribution of Evansville brochures would be included in the package. f. After extensive discussion, consensus of the group is to recommend that the Economic Development Committee commit $3500 in room tax dollars to extend the web contract 2 years (2012 to 2014) and to commit $2000 to participate in the Ice Age Trail program (2013 to 2015). 7. Strategic initiatives. Berg reviewed the five strategic initiatives identified as strongest tourism assets for Evansville; the Civil War event in May; the Arts; Nature; Agri-Tourism; and History. David Spiegelberg from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism anticipates having a summary report ready for presentation around mid-April. 8. Budget considerations a. Floral baskets Berg reported that the Economic Development Committee approved allocation of $1350 from room tax funds for downtown floral baskets. b. Berg also reported that the Economic Development Committee approved allocations from room tax funds of $500 for Civil War promotion; $500 for fireworks; and $250 for promotion of the new Theodore Robinson Plein Air Painting event June 8-17. c. A barn quilt brochure for the Evansville area is underway. The self-guided historic walking tour brochure may have enough quantities to get through the season. The Discover Wisconsin brochure needs to be updated. Berg will collect printing bids. 9. WIGCOT report a. www.wigcot.org for handouts. Berg summarized highlights of the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism held in Green Bay March 4-6, 2012. In particular: 39% of visitors travel within one month of planning; 23% of visitors travel within two months of planning; forget apps because no one traveling wants to “go to the store” and download apps; instead stick with QR codes. 10. Grant Programs. Berg noted that these grant programs may be potential sources of future funding. a. State Farm / community revitalization, marketing sponsorships b. National Endowment for the Humanities / interpretation of historic places brochure c. National Endowment for the Arts / Our Town Program 11. Set next meeting date. Tabled until after mayoral appointments are announced. 12. Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.