Nebraska Tourism Commission Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM CST

Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

333 N 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

Arbor 1 Room

Commissioner Chair Robert Sabin called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm.

 

Commissioners present: Darrin Barner, Heritage Homes of Nebraska; KC Belitz, Department of Economic Development; John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo; Roger Jasnoch, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Deb Loseke, Columbus/Platte County CVB; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha; Jeanna Stavas, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast; Starr Lehl

Commissioners absent: Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyard & Winery; Sarah Sortum, Calamus Outfitters

 

Commission staff present: John Ricks, Schuylar Craig, Graham Jordison, Heather Hogue, Jenna Bartja, Alisha Simonson, Jenn Gjerde, Madison Johnson, Lilly Uhlmann, Micheal Collins, 

 

  1. Approval of Meeting Agenda

Commission Chair Sabin welcomed the commissioners; introductions were made; new commissioner nominees were addressed and Sabin asked for motion to approve agenda.

 

Chapo motioned to approve the agenda. Stavas seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda 

Sabin opened the public comment period at 1:03 pm.

With no other members of the public coming forward, Sabin closed the public comment period at 1:04 pm.

 

 

  1. Approval of October 10, 2024, Meeting Minutes

 

Sabin requested motion to approve the October 10, 2024, meeting minutes.

 

Loseke motioned to approve the meeting minutes from October 10, 2024.  Kuhn seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Financial Update and Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Stavas 

 

Stavas went through spreadsheets that were previously distributed. Stavas discussed spending authority and remaining current cash balance of FY 2024-2025.

 

Stavas discussed new anomaly from revenue to find out issue on the lodging tax numbers, says numbers are still up in FY lodging tax. Sabin remarks group business is strong for FY 2024-2025, good leisure activity but less attention in suburban/roadside hotels. Discussion that outlook is good for year 2025 – 2026.

 

Motion to accept budget status review, by Chapo.  Lehl seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff
    1. FY 2024 – 2025 spending authority – Ricks discussed LB 261 that would reduce funds by $1.5 million.

 

  1. FY 2024-2025 Grant Program Awards – Heather Hogue referenced grant program, reviewing applications – that 88 applicants applied, new projects: 10 in community grants and 78 in marketing grant programs.

 

Motion to approve FY 2024-2025 Grant Program Awards as presented by Chapo. Lehl seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: Olson. Motion passed.

 

  1. ABA Marketplace Recap – Micheal Collins recapped visiting Philadelphia, working with and networking sessions, partnering with Nebraska businesses to showcase local products at ABA.
  2. Denver Stockshow Recap – Jenn Gjerde discussed numbers, wrap up and media. Ricks discussed our media used and tradeshow booth in Denver.
  3. 2024 Annual Report – Ricks will discuss more tomorrow morning at Conference – hand outs were given to the board.

 

 

 

 

  1. Commission Committee Reports 
    1. Marketing Committee - Commissioner Chapo deferred to Ricks – Ricks introduced Madison Johnson. Passport Budget presented by Madison Johnson, 2024 was enormously successful, wrap up on budget for coming year, break down of how money is spent within the program. Discussed coordination and getting more sponsorships.

Kuhn motioned to approve Passport Budget. Barner seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Future Conference Sites – Gjerde discussed the Nebraska Tourism Conference will remain in Lincoln until 2026. Advised the board to consider thinking about a subcommittee to help decide locations for 2027-2028.

 

  1. Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Sabin

Thanked everyone for attending and praised the commission board members who are terming out for all their hard work. 

 

Director Performance Review - Kuhn motioned to enter Closed Session for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Lehl seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

              Closed session entered at 2:18 pm.

Stavas motioned to come out of closed session at 3:03 pm. Barner seconded the motion. 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

Chapo motioned to approve 2.5% salary increase for Executive Director, John Ricks. Kuhn seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

                

Sabin discussed with commissioners about attached documents on approval of goals for 2025.

Barner requested a motion to approve 2025 goals. Jasnoch seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

 

  1. New Business
    1. Approve dates for 2025 schedule – May 14, 2025 in North Platte at Pals Brewing Company; August 7, 2025 in Lexington at Mac’s Creek Winery and Brewery; October 9th, 2025 in Omaha at The Joslyn.
    2. Barner requested motion to approve. Chapo seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

 

  1. Election of Officers

Commission Chair Sabin tabled Election of Officers until new commission members are sworn in.

Chapo motioned to table Election of Officers. Kuhn seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Adjourn

 

At 3:13 pm Lehl requested motion to adjourn meeting. Stavas seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Belitz, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, Lehl, Olson, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: McFarland, Sortum. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

Respectfully submitted by Schuylar Craig

 

 

*Denotes Action Item

Open Meetings Law of the State of Nebraska will be available in the meeting room. Proposed agenda posted February 26, 2025 kept current and available for inspection on the Commission’s website, visitnebraska.com. Items of an emergency nature may be added to the agenda by the Commission at the meeting.  The Commission reserves the right to enter into closed session, should a closed session be necessary.