Tourism Committee

Tourism Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes from date 2-3 Tourism Committee - 17 Dec 2024 - Minutes 5. CONTINUING BUSINESS a. 2025 Tourism Reimbursement Criteria and Application Draft 2 4 Memo: 2025 Tourism Reimbursement Criteria and Application Draft 2 b. Visit New Richmond Website 5 Memo: Visit New Richmond Website 6. COMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS 7. ADJOURNMENT  Tourism Committee Meeting Minutes 7:30 AM - Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Council Chambers The Tourism Committee of the City of New Richmond was called to order on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:30 AM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present: PRESENT: Kim Dimick, Brian Meyer, Pete Vrieze, Dawn Jacobson, Timothy Sass ABSENT: OTHERS Noah Wiedenfelt, Rae Ann Ailts, Rob Kreibich, Lexi Derrick PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA Pete Vrieze made a motion to adopt the Agenda. Brian Meyer seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES FROM DATE Pete Vrieze made a motion to approve minutes from November 19, 2024. Timothy Sass seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS MEETING WITH NEW RICHMOND AREA CHAMBER Rob Kreibich, the New Richmond Chamber Director, was in attendance to answer questions from the Tourism Committee. The Committee had questions on the Fun Fest application in regards to why the Visit New Richmond logo was not included, marketing efforts, their revenues reported on the budget and cross-promotion of other events occurring that same weekend. Rob provided an oversight of what was successful at Fun Fest this year compared to prior years and possible changes to Fun Fest in 2025. The Committee and Chamber discussed the importance of working together to help attract visitors to the City. This lead to discussion on the Committee and City Staff's work with River Travel Media in Tourism Committee Meeting December 17, 2024 branding and marketing the City, specifically related to the Visit New Richmond website. The website is anticipated to have a soft launch in late January, at which point in time it will be reviewed with the Committee, Chamber, Council and other key stakeholders. Tim Sass also extended a thank you to the Chamber for all the work they do. NEW BUSINESS 2025 TOURISM REIMBURSEMENT CRITERIA AND APPLICATION Lexi Derrick presented a draft 2025 Tourism Reimbursement Criteria and Application. No changes were made to the criteria other than updating the dates for when applications are due in 2025. The application had one adjustment and three additional questions regarding the use of the Visit New Richmond logo and posting the event to Travel Wisconsin and the Visit New Richmond website. One other change that will occur in 2025, is using Microsoft Forms for applicants to submit their request. The Committee advised they were not interested in requiring the applicant to be present while their application was being review nor were they in favor of putting a cap on expenditures at this point. Kim Dimick asked if applicants were filling out the application before or after their event. Lexi advised that the applications are typically sent in after the event occurs, but could not speak specifically to when the applicant is filling out the application. Dawn Jacobson asked if the Committee's goal for applicants to spend 25% of their reimbursement request on marketing material was included on the application. The current draft did not include that, but will be added before the second review of the draft. ACTION OF FUNDING REQUESTS Brian Meyer made a motion to recommend 3Q24 Tourism Funding of $31,105.84 to Council for Fun Fest 2024. Dawn Jacobson seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. COMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS The Tourism Committee will look to meet again in late January to review draft two of the 2025 application and go through the Visit New Richmond website. Lexi will confirm when the soft launch of the website is anticipated and send out correspondence to the Committee on a meeting date following that. ADJOURNMENT Pete Vrieze made a motion to adjourn at 8:36am. Brian Meyer seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Tourism Committee Meeting December 17, 2024  MEMO Prepared for: Tourism Committee Staff Contact: Lexi Derrick, Michelle Scanlan Meeting: Tourism Committee - 30 Jan 2025 Subject: 2025 Tourism Reimbursement Criteria and Application Draft 2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the December 17th Tourism meeting, Staff brought forth a draft one of the 2025 Tourism Reimbursement Application. The Committee provided feedback, specifically towards highlighting the reimbursement and marketing portion of the application. These changes and additions have been included in draft two and will be reviewed by Staff during the January 30th meeting. 2025 Application Link  MEMO Prepared for: Tourism Committee Staff Contact: Lexi Derrick, Michelle Scanlan Meeting: Tourism Committee - 30 Jan 2025 Subject: Visit New Richmond Website BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Since the end of September, Staff have been working closely with River Travel Media in developing the Visit New Richmond website. During the Tourism Committee meeting on January 27th, Amy Gabay and Brent Hanifl, with River Travel Media, will have a brief presentation and walk the Committee through the website. After the meeting, the website will be in a soft launch state allowing Committee members to access this with a password. During this time, the Committee is encouraged to navigate through the website and provide feedback by February 7th. From February 7th through February 21st, River Travel Media will review and implement feedback for some final touches on the website before it goes live on February 24th. Following it going live, staff and River Travel Media will also present this to City Council at the February work session. On February 27th, City Staff and River Travel Media are hosting a Visit New Richmond Launch Party to encourage the public to use and promote the website. This will be held in Council Chambers starting at 5:00pm with drinks and appetizers available. Invitation and itinerary are yet to come. Recap of Visit New Richmond Website Timeline: January 30th - Soft Launch (Review with Tourism Committee) February 7th - Website Feedback from Committee due back to Lexi February 24th - Website Goes Live & Brought forward during Council Work Session February 27th - Visit New Richmond Website Launch Party City Staff are requesting the Tourism Committee allocate $300 for drinks and appetizers and $500 for marketing material that can be shared with the public for the Launch Party. Samples of marketing material will be shared during the January meeting.