Meeting Minutes 08/07/2025

Nebraska Tourism Commission Meeting
August 7th, 2025 at 1:00pm CST
Mac’s Creek Winery & Brewery

43315 Road 757 Lexington, NE 68850

Commissioner Chair Robert Sabin called the meeting to order at 1:18 pm.

Commissioners present: Darrin Barner, Heritage Homes of Nebraska; David Fudge, District 9 Representative; Rachel Kreikemeier, NGAGE; Maureen Larsen, Department of Economic Development; Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyards and Winery; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha; David Wolf, Legacy of the Plains.

Commissioners absent: John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo; Courtney Dentlinger, Chamber of Commerce Representative; Deb Kelly, District 6 Representative; Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game and Parks; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Paul Younes, Younes Hospitality.

Commission staff present: John Ricks, Schuylar Craig, Heather Hogue, Lilly Uhlmann, Alisha Simonson, Micheal Collins, Madison Johnson

1. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Commission Chair Sabin welcomed the commissioners; new introductions were made, welcoming Maureen Larsen to the Commission; and Sabin asked for motion to approve agenda.

McFarland motioned to approve the agenda. Fudge seconded the motion.

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

2. Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda
Sabin opened the public comment period at 1:27 pm.
With no members of the public coming forward, Sabin closed the public comment period at 1:28 pm.

3. Approval of May 14, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Sabin requested motion to approve the May 14, 2025 meeting minutes.

Fudge motioned to approve the meeting minutes from May 14, 2025. Kreikemeier seconded the motion.

4. Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Sabin

Sabin discussed current events in Omaha Metro area, growth and great numbers, big conferences are coming to the state. Mention of good lodging tax numbers and lots of business travel.

5. Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff

FY 2025-2026 Grant Cycle Timeline– Heather Hogue discussed how the grant timeline opens, how it works, use of guidelines and deadlines, the difference of the marketing grant and the community impact grant. Discussion of how the judging and awarding process works.

Motion to accept FY 2024-2025 Grant Cycle Timeline and Draft as presented by Wolf. Barner seconded the motion.

b. Adventure Travel Workshop – Ricks briefly mentioned the insert of information given about the workshop and Fudge mentioned his anticipation for a good outcome in October.

6. Commission Committee Reports

Marketing Committee - Commissioner Fudge
1. Nebraska Passport Update – Madison Johnson mentioned the success so far of the summer program, hitting record numbers for the Facebook Passport Pals Page; discussed lots of good feedback, the Holiday Passport applications are closed and the 2026 summer application is open. Johnson also expanded on discussion to the commissioners of how to help by encouraging their communities to sponsor the program.
2. Campaign Development Update – Fudge discussed the Marketing Committee is in works for where the creative is going, unveiling in February 2026. Mentions by Fudge for a fun, positive campaign and maximizing quality content.
3. Crane Migration Results – Ricks discussed the date and impacts of the flyaway on Buffalo, Hall, Lincoln & Adams counties lodging tax. Steady upward progression from 2022. 2018 – 2025 county lodging tax increased nearly 50%, per Ricks discussion on the findings. The Crane campaign was worthy of time and investment.

b. Financial Update and Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Kreikemeier

Financial Update - Commissioner Kreikemeier mentioned looking at the budget dashboard, notes on dates when funds are being swept – updates on grants (balances & awarded), notable expenses and highlights on various cuts to save spending with the budget cuts. Discussion of trying to be impactful when considering where to cut spending.
General Ledger – Kreikemeier discussed the working budget – spending authority was increased in 2025. Mentioned in the ledger was the breakdown of all cut costs from last year, still holding onto media partnerships, cutting down media visits for now and optimizing creators, influencers and journalists.
FY 2025-2026 Working Budget – Kreikemeier mentioned partnering with other entities to keep bringing in, working together to build relationships and also save money.

Motion to accept General Ledger as presented by Fudge. McFarland seconded the motion.

Motion to accept FY 2025-2026 Working Budget as presented by McFarland. Kreikemeier seconded the motion.

c. Tourism Conference Committee

2028 – 2029 Tourism Conference – David Wolf mentioned heavy legislative focus in January – March, keeping the conference in Lincoln in early February to really co-work with legislators/senators and building bridges/relationships with them. Wolf mentioned networking with outside partners and new starting partners like hospitality and Department of Economic Development to really bring in people to the conference.

Motion to approve the 2028-2029 Tourism conference as presented by Wolf. Fudge seconded the motion.

7. New Business

Upcoming Meetings: October 9^th, 2025 at 11:00 am CST, The Joslyn – Community Room in Omaha.
2026 Tourism Conference: February 12^th, 2026 at 10:00 am CST, in Lincoln at Embassy Suites.

8. Adjourn

At 2:45 pm Sabin requested motion to adjourn meeting. McFarland motioned to adjourn. Second was made by Barner.

Respectfully submitted by Schuylar Craig.