Monthly Minutes
April 2008 Minutes
2008-04-23
Minutes of Monthly Meeting -- Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Highway Department Conference Room
Meeting was called to order at 11:37 a.m.
Members present: Charlie Swanson, Ann Miller, Storme Nelson, Dick Fankhauser, Tara Heckel, Betty Jo Brown
Absent: Greg Krantz, Fred Galan, Dan Frase, Tara Heckel
Others present: Ruth Skeie, Lee Magnuson, Jim Bloms
Previous Minutes
Minutes of the March 11, 2008 meeting were circulated. Dick Fankhauser motioned to approve the March 11, minutes, seconded by Storme Nelson. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Jim Bloms circulated the March Monthly Financial Report and Profit and Loss Statement for review. Dick Fankhauser motioned to approve. Betty Jo seconded. Motion Carried.
Old Business:
□ 2009 Visitor’s Guide Bid
A committee was set up for visitor book development. Betty Jo volunteered to chair. 2009 Visitor Book content and design were discussed. The five bids from printers were considered. Advanced Printing of Hayward was selected to develop, promote and print the 2009 Washburn County Visitor Guide by a motion from Dick Fankhauser and a second from Ann Miller. Motion carried.
□ River Challenge Event
Ann Miller moved to drop the River Challenge Event. Storme Nelson seconded. Motion carried.
□ Poker Run Event
Jim Bloms indicated the grant for the event was denied.
Executive Director Report:
Jim Bloms introduced himself as the new Executive Director of Tourism for Washburn County and thanked the Board for their confidence in his abilities to exercise the requirements of the position. Early tasks included recycling old guides from storage, exploring accounting and banking methods, credit card application and familiarizing himself with office procedures and personnel. Jim reported on the 2008 Sport Show in Mpls., were John Passolt distributed 20 cases of Washburn County promotional literature. His approach to the Visitor Desk schedule was referenced. Jim recapped the Website Committee Meeting. Topics of discussion included: Navigation from a user’s perspective. Maps and trails for user activities listed before businesses. Todd from Magnifisites, the website manager, and Storme Nelson emphasized the effectiveness of the website as indicated by the increase in hits, and by the quality of the hits. Ann described a lodging vacancy system that may be effective for Washburn County. The Visitor Center’s role in implementing/maintaining the effort was discussed. Todd demonstrated the ability to track user information and the utilization of the data collected was discussed. Jim reported on the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Lake Geneva he attended on March 3-5, 2008. Past and present brand slogans and platforms for the State of Wisconsin were discussed.
New Business:
□ Washburn County Map
The new Washburn County Map development schedule was discussed with plans to complete by January 2009. The new format will include ads for local realtors in the space saved by running a smaller Wild Rivers Trail Map. At this time four realtors have paid for a spot on the map.
□ Correspondences
Jim presented a copy of Chris Waldron’s, Interim Director of Tourism, resignation.
□ Website UpdateJ
im Bloms reported on the recent website committee meeting (See Director Report).
Other Business
□ Lee Magnuson said he would be willing to serve as a Board Member for the Washburn County Tourism Association. The Board reminded Jim that the May meeting involves voting for board members.Storme Nelson motioned to adjourn at 12:45 p.m., seconded by Betty Jo Brown. Motion carried.
May Board Meeting Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:30am
Location: Washburn County Highway Department Conference Room