July Meeting Minutes

July 11,2024

Grand County Colorado Tourism Board Meeting

Zoom Meeting

Mission Statement: We inspire a sustainable, year-round tourism economy in Grand County with an emphasis on strengthening the vitality of our communities, celebrating our local culture and traditions and respecting our environment and resources.

Board Member Attendance by Zoom: Kristen Spronz, Jennifer Brown, Joanna Whitemarsh, Dave Huber, Jeremy Belnap, Elizabeth Brumm, Cheryl Spezia, Ron Ellis, Rebecca Bierden

Also In Attendance: Gaylene Ore, Paula Isakson, Carrie Tomlinson, Autumn Bishop (Greater NW Grand County Chamber of Commerce), Sarah Cichon (Destination Granby) and Krystal Steward (Fire On the Mountain Inc.)

CALL TO ORDER– Kristen Spronz called meeting to order at 3:02 pm

APPROVAL OF MINUTES– June 2024 (2 mins)

Meeting minutes for June 2024 are approved as distributed

APPROVAL OF INVOICES BY FINANCES COMMITTEE- (3 mins)

Gaylene reported that the invoices for June were $39,813.93.

BOARD O FCOMMITTEE REPORTS-(5mins)

Marketing Committee–Elizabeth Brumm

  • Elizabeth reported that the marketing committee viewed a demo from Lighthouse, the committee liked programs and wanted to move forward with the program.

Elizabeth made a motion to work with Lighthouse instead of AirDNA and budget $17,500 Cheryl second. The motion carried unanimously.

  • Elizabeth shared updates presented by Miles Partnership on website, emails, ads and social media. All of the mediums are performing well
  • Miles Partnership is running new local promotions with KFFR Radio and Sky Hi News
  • The marketing team viewed the photo shoot project by local photographer (Greg Hoover) at the Taking Steps for Cancer 7th Spirit Polar Plunge event

Finance Committee–Ron Ellis

Ron had nothing to report.

Gaylene shared that she got a report from the county that stated:

  • June $11,778.45 lodging tax collected
  • Year to date lodging tax collected $499,423.60

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT- (5 mins) – Gaylene Ore

  • Gaylene is looking for 3 board members to fill the 3 vacancies on the board.
  • Gaylene and the finance committee met with Curtis
  • She attended the BOCC meeting in June
  • Kristen, Cheryl and Gaylene attended the Mountain Railroad meeting in Winter Park
  • Gaylene submitted an application to CTO for a mentor to help with local resident survey
  • Kristen and Gaylene met with Ed Raegner
  • She attended the Adventure Travel Trade Association Conference

OLD BUSINESS-(5 mins)

BOCC meeting Recap (July 23 meeting at 11:00am)

  • The board did not get an update on the reallocation of funds at the June meeting. Next meeting is July 23rd at 1:00 pm.
  • Kristen proposed that the board partner with Grand Beginnings and write a letter indicating our interest in partnership between Grand Beginnings and the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board. A draft letter will be sent to the board for approval prior to sending it to the BOCC.

Board Retreat

  • Rebecca and Jeremy are not able to attend the meeting.
  • The board retreat is July 25 at the Vintage Hotel starting at 8:00 am

CTO Governors Conference-September 25 - 27, 2024

  • Attending: Rebecca, Jennifer, Ron, Kristen

NEW BUSINESS- (20 mins)

Mission2Market

The board reviewed Mission2Market’s contract for $3000.00 to help work through HB-1117.

Cheryl made a motion to work with Dave Santucci with Mission2Market proposed budget of $3,000 Joanna second. The motion carried unanimously.

Contract Travel Story GPS

Gaylene shared the concept of Travel Story and their work with other destinations.

Cheryl asked if we could do an email vote once additional information is sent to the board.

ADA Compliance

Gaylene reviewed the new ADA Compliance that we need to start following on all of our PDF documents, newsletters, social media and website. She and Paula met with the IT Department at the county to review the procedures. In addition they also met with the contractors and reviewed the procedures. Gaylene stressed the importance of needing to follow the procedures presented.

Discussion On Grant Funds

  • Gaylene reviewed grant funds for Mainstem and 3 Lakes Districts.
  • The board may need to pull funds from reserves to help cover some of these grants and to make sure we have enough for the fourth quarter grant cycle.
  • Board needs to vote to take $50,000 out of contingency.

Jeremy made a motion to take $50,000 from contingency for grants. Dave second. The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN

Cheryl moved to adjourn the meeting, and Joanna seconded it. The motion carried unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

GRANT REVIEW