Nebraska Tourism Commission
10/9/2025
Physical location: Hilton Omaha, 8th Floor, Castle Meeting Room, 1001 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68102

Call to Order

Time: 11:02 a.m.
Commission Chair Robert Sabin called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. He shared highlights about the College World Series and nearby attractions.

Roll Call

Commissioners present: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes
Commissioners absent: Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger and Barry McFarland
Staff present: Heather Hogue, Jennifer Gjerde, Graham Jordison, Lilly Uhlmann, Alisha Simonson, Jenna Bartja and Micheal Collins

Approval of Agenda

Motion: Commissioner Roger Kuhn motioned to approve the meeting agenda
Second: Commissioner Rachel Kreikemeier
Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Public Comment Period – Items Listed on the Agenda

No public comments were made.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion: Commissioner Deb Kelly motioned to approve the meeting minutes from Aug. 7, 2025, and Sept. 9, 2025
Second: Commissioner Roger Kuhn
Roll Call Vote:

In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.

  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Commission Chair Report – Commissioner Sabin

Executive Director Subcommittee
Commissioner Sabin announced members of the subcommittee tasked with developing the Executive Director position and recommending finalists to the full commission. The subcommittee will manage position development, recruitment, candidate assessment and final recommendations.

Members: Commissioners Maureen Larsen, David Fudge, Roger Kuhn and Robert Sabin
At-large advisors: Deb Ward, Steve Maly, Sarah Skinner, Lisa Burke and one member to be determined

Sabin clarified that the subcommittee’s role is advisory only and that the full commission will vote on the final hiring decision.

Global Minds LLC – Individual Commissioner Assessment
Consultant Regina Mort of Global Minds LLC presented findings from interviews with commissioners regarding desired qualities for the next Executive Director. Common themes included strong leadership, listening skills and collaboration. A PowerPoint summary was shared, and a written report and interview template will follow. Commissioners participated in a roundtable discussion on priorities for the role.

Sabin also thanked staff for their flexibility and noted that Interim Executive Director Heather Hogue received an in-grade adjustment.

Commission Committee Reports

Marketing Committee – Commissioner Fudge
New campaign work with Digital Sky is in production, with filming at locations all across Nebraska. The finished creative will debut at the 2026 Nebraska Tourism Conference, with commissioners receiving a preview.

The Nebraska Passport summer program concluded Sept. 30, with participation expected to align with 2024 numbers. The Holiday Passport program, featuring 24 stops, will run Nov. 14 through Jan. 11.

Reports included in the packet featured KPI dashboards, social media and public relations summaries, and new cover artwork by Nebraska artist Katie Neiland, which will appear on materials throughout 2026.

Finance Committee – Commissioner Kreikemeier

  • Cash fund: $5,511,038.01
  • Promotional fund: $271,716.77
  • Lodging tax deposited (FY 2025-26): $3,592,037.80, down 9.94%

Commissioners discussed two upcoming state fund sweeps totaling $4 million and raised concerns about the impact of those sweeps and interest transfers on the agency’s ability to reinvest lodging tax revenue. 

General ledger (August/September) – Approval
Motion: Commissioner David Fudge motioned to approve the general ledger.
Second: Commissioner Paul Younes
Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Visit Nebraska Program Updates

Adventure Travel Workshop – Graham Jordison
The workshop will be held Oct. 27-29 in North Platte. A handout was provided with details and an event budget breakdown. 

Agency Office Relocation – Heather Hogue
Visit Nebraska will relocate from the Nebraska State Office Building to 500 S. 16th St. in early 2026. The move will be covered by the Department of Health and Human Services at no cost to the agency.

Visitor Center Counts – Micheal Collins
Visitor numbers at staffed rest stops and visitor centers were down for summer 2025 due to staffing limitations, counting methods and overall travel trends. Commissioner Sabin requested a map of all visitor center locations for 2026 planning purposes.

National Western Stock Show – Jenna Bartja
Volunteer sign-ups have begun for the Nebraska booth at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Jan. 10-25, 2026. This is the final year of the current NWSS sponsorship contract. Visit Nebraska will discuss future sponsorship plans after the 2026 event.

2026 Nebraska Tourism Conference – Lilly Uhlmann
Planning is underway for the 2026 conference. Sponsorship recruitment continues, and promotional postcards were distributed. Plus, the conference budget was reviewed.

Conference Budget- Approval
Motion: Commissioner David Wolf made a motion to approve the conference budget as presented.
Second: Commissioner Paul Younes

Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger, and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Election of Officers

Commissioner Chapo nominated Commissioner David Fudge to serve as the new chair of the Nebraska Tourism Commission. Fudge commented that he would accept the nomination.

Motion: Commissioner Deb Kelly motioned for Commissioner David Fudge to serve as the new chair of the Nebraska Tourism Commission.
Second: Commissioner Paul Younes

Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  David Fudge
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger, and Barry McFarland

Vote: Motion approved 9–0, with one abstention

Discussion on the vice chair position was tabled for the next meeting. Commissioner Robert Sabin will transition to the role of past chair. Commissioner Kuhn thanked Sabin for his service and leadership.

2026 Proposed Meeting Schedule – Discussion and Approval

A discussion was had about the proposed meeting schedule:
February 12, 2026- Lincoln
May 15, 2026- Kearney
August 6, 2026- Scottsbluff
October 15, 2026- Beatrice 


Meeting Schedule- Approval
Motion: Commissioner Darin Barner motioned to approve the 2026 schedule
Second: Commissioner Ashley Olson

Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger, and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Adjournment

Time: 1:09 p.m.
Motion: Commissioner Roger Kuhn motioned to adjourn the meeting
Second: Commissioner Darin Barner

Roll Call Vote:

  • In favor: Darin Barner, John Chapo, David Fudge, Deb Kelly, Roger Kuhn, Rachel Kreikemeier, Ashley Olson, Robert Sabin, David Wolf and Paul Younes.
  • Opposed:  None
  • Abstaining:  None
  • Absent:  Maureen Larsen, Courtney Dentlinger, and Barry McFarland

Vote: Approved 10-0

Respectfully submitted by Jenn Gjerde