Tourism Development Commission (Meets on the first Tuesday at 1PM)

Phone: (715) 395-7200 1316 North 14th Street, Ste 200 Fax: (715) 395-7590 Superior, WI 54880 E-mail: cityclerk@ci.superior.wi.us Website: www.ci.superior.wi.us MINUTES PROCEEDINGS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 Government Center 204 Members: Steve Knauss, JoAnn Jardine, Lindsey Graskey (Council Representative), Keith Kern (Council Representative), Bruce Barron, and Emerson Sloane 1. Roll Call Present: JoAnne Jardine, Lindsey Graskey, Bruce Barron Absent: Keith Kern, Emerson Sloane, Steve Knauss 2. Public Comment Michelle Hostetler-Travel Wisconsin grants and funding 3. Approve October 8 & 15, 2021 TDC meeting proceedings Request to include minutes with new agenda as well as minutes posted online. 4. Create TDC mission statement Commissioner Jardine presented a draft for consideration. Moved by Commissioner Barron to adopt, seconded by Chairperson Graskey. Instead of vote, Chairperson Graskey request the mission statement hold in committee to next week. 5. Discussion of potential budget/allocation plan Mayor provided RFP from finance. Main areas to consider marketing, visitor center, and grants (possible as Bong Museum receives grant money currently). Commissioner Barron asked about current visitor center, which is currently housed in Bong Museum as a leased space. Brainstorming what the commissioners would like to see as visitor engagement: center-based, advertising, pamphlets, etc. Chair Graskey shared positive thoughts on initial impression of RFP, but suggested delaying action for a week in order for all members to review and make adjustments. To be revisited next meeting. Tourism Development Commission, 10/22/2021 Meeting Page 1 of 2  6. Review RFP Description Commissioner Barron asked if current RFP included visitor center language or could be modified. Mayor Paine explained that the current RFP was marketing based, rather than on-site service—often 2 different fields. Commissioner Barron asked if research might be added to the RFP for visitor center ideas. TDC Commission requested an independent RFP for visitor center possibilities to be put together by the city. Nick Raverty will work with city contracts department on this to have for the November 5th meeting. Commissioner Jardine brought up ideas for inclusion in the RFP. Focuses included research on the Superior, marketing study, possible building projects, themed conventions, movie making incentives, online apps, and Google. Mayor Paine pointed to RFP as light in online engagements and something the group may look at for adjustments to reflect the topics JoAnn presented. Commissioner Barron voiced thoughts for inclusion in the RFP. Hotel and overnight stays as motivation on decisions: Capitalizing on regional events ie Applefest and Bentleyville, coupons as motivation for staying and spending. He asked about what would be considered Superior’s main draw festival situations like some neighboring communities have. In discussion with hotels, shared the extended stay vs overnight stay change in taxation (as some hotels are blocking rooms out for extended stay options for long-term travel workers). Mayor Paine offered mayoral staff assistance for any commissioner who needed assistance in putting together proposals to be used in future agendas and discussions so ideas can be moved into discussion and actionable items. 7. Set next meeting time October 29th at noon in Gov’t Ctr 204. 8. Adjournment 12:52pm -- Minutes respectfully submitted by Deputy Stephanie Becken. c: City Clerk’s Office Public Access – via e-mail Tourism Development Commission, 10/22/2021 Meeting Page 2 of 2