Nebraska Tourism Commission Meeting Minutes

May 14, 2025 at 4:00pm CST

Pal’s Brewing Company

333 N 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

 

Commissioner Chair Robert Sabin called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.

 

Commissioners present: Darrin Barner, Heritage Homes of Nebraska; John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo; Courtney Dentlinger, Chamber of Commerce Representative; David Fudge, District 9 Representative; Deb Kelly, District 6 Representative; Rachel Kreikemeier, NGAGE; Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyard & Winery; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha; David Wolf, Legacy of the Plains.

 

Commissioners absent: KC Belitz, Department of Economic Development; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Paul Younes, Younes Hospitality.

 

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

 

  1. Approval of Meeting Agenda

Commission Chair Sabin welcomed the commissioners and asked for motion to approve agenda.

 

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

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Dentlinger, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda 

Sabin opened the public comment period at 4:07 pm.

With no other members of the public coming forward, Sabin closed the public comment period at 4:08 pm.

 

 

  1. Approval of February 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes

 

Sabin requested motion to approve the February 11, 2025 meeting minutes.

 

McFarland motioned to approve the meeting minutes from February 11, 2025.  Kuhn seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Dentlinger, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

  1. Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Sabin

Commission Chair Sabin welcomed everyone and the new commissioners. Introductions were made and the new commissioners introduced themselves and their districts. Recognition was made to Roger Jasnoch, a previous Commissioner and Chair, to his upcoming retirement.

 

2027 Tourism Conference – Chairman Sabin mentioned creating a sub-committee, with former commissioner Deb Loseke, to discuss future conference locations. Sabin mentioned the sub-committee agreed to keep it in Lincoln to continue bridging that gap between legislation and Senators. There was talk of open discussion for locations of the conference in 2028 and 2029 at the next meeting. Sabin also discussed creating a sub-committee for the 2028-2029 Tourism Conference. 

Fudge motioned to approve the 2027 Tourism Conference. Wolf seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Dentlinger, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

                

Sabin mentioned appointing Rachel Kreikemeier and Ashley Olson to the Finance Committee. David Fudge, Courtney Dentlinger and Roger Kuhn will be appointed to the Marketing Committee. Community Outreach Committee – clear set of goals for commission and tourism together – allowing to advocate to communities impact of tourism. Ricks spoke on meshing forces with Department of Economic Development to help advocate and build connections. Jenna Bartja mentioned education, vibrancy and boosting/activating local communities. David Wolf and Deb Kelly will be appointed members to the Community Outreach Committee.

Election of Officers – Rachel Kreikemeier was nominated by Kuhn as Treasurer. Remaining positions are to be elected at the next commission meeting.

Kuhn requested a motion to approve Election of Officers. Chapo seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Dentlinger, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

 

  1. Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff
    1. Contract Renewals – Ricks discussed contract renewals for year three with both Turner PR and Miles Partnership, both going well.

Motion to approve the Contract Renewals - FY 2025-2026 requested by McFarland. Fudge seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Dentlinger, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: Kelly. Motion passed.

 

  1. NTTW Update – Ricks spoke on the Passport Kickoff in Norfolk, awards presented all over the state for National Travel and Tourism Week and great visibility for the state and the industry.

 

  1. Marketing Committee Report – Commissioner Fudge

 

Fudge discussed how well the Sandhill Crane movement went this year – looking into daily statistical rate in season versus not in season. Mentions upcoming creatives – consistent branding that has been going along – working on 2025 already.

 

  1. Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Kreikemeier

Kreikemeier deferred to Alisha Simonson to discuss increase in spending authority – cash status report to discuss the conference fund and workshop fund, promotional cash fund to pay for 2025 Passport program.

Simonson discussed Lodging Tax – verified numbers for March and the General Ledger was distributed to commission members prior to meeting to oversee. Simonson discussed timeline of General Ledger and boards approval of payouts, mentioned quarterly audits. Ricks discussed watching lodging tax numbers seasonally as the economy shifts, people will travel but potentially changing lengths of stays. Still on pace for Fiscal Year projections – challenges are what the future holds for potential traveling internationally will be. Gjerde mentions AI is setting back website clicks – organic traffic is down but new software will help to alleviate and regrow back visits to the website.

Sabin mentioned the good travel projections for the upcoming College World Series in Omaha and new exciting things to attract travelers to Nebraska. Sabin mentions business travel was down but now is back to climbing – anticipates a balance of the year in lodging tax numbers.

Kuhn mentioned to approve the General Ledger. McFarland seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Dentlinger, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Olson, Younes. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

 

 

 

  1. New Business

 

  1. Dates for remaining 2025 schedule – August 7, 2025 in Lexington at Mac’s Creek Winery and Brewery, time to be determined; October 9th, 2025 at 11:00 am CST in Omaha at The Joslyn.

Kuhn mentioned a recognition across the board to Deb Loseke for her hard work as a commission board member. She has now been decommissioned but still is active in working with the Nebraska Tourism Commission Board.

  1. Adjourn

 

At 5:17 pm Chapo requested motion to adjourn meeting. Kreikemeier seconded the motion.

 

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Dentlinger, Fudge, Kuhn, Kreikemeier, Kelly, McFarland, Sabin, Wolf. Absent: Belitz, Olson, Younes. 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 May 10, 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.