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; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha; Starr Lehl, Scottsbluff; Deb Loseke, Columbus/Platte County CVB; Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyards and Winery; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Sarah Sortum, Calamus Outfitters; Jeanna Stavas, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast.

 

Commissioners absent: none

 

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

 

1. Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

 

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

 

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

 

1. Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda 

Commission Chairman Sabin opened the public comment period at 1:04 pm.

Commission Chairman Sabin closed the public comment period at 2:08 pm.

 

1. Approval of August 27, 2024 Meeting Minutes

 

Sabin requested motion to approve the August 27, 2024 meeting minutes.

McFarland motioned to approve the meeting minutes from August 13, 2023. Kuhn seconded the motion.

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

 

1. Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff
   
   1. Rick’s discussion of Visit Nebraska staffing – congratulating Jenna Bartja on new Community Activation Manager position; mention Adventure Travel Specialist position is now vacant and will be posted.
   2. 2024 Agritourism & Adventure Travel Workshop Update – Jenna Bartja mentioned location and looking for vendors, opportunities for small business & general overview of cost for the workshop. Bartja mentioned sponsorships to help with cost of workshop – working with South Dakota Tourism to partner together in Yankton, SD.

 

McFarland motioned to accept Agritourism & Adventure Travel Workshop Budget Review and Approval. Stavas seconded the motion.

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

 

1. 2025 Nebraska Tourism Conference Update – Lilly Uhlmann discussed working budget for the Tourism conference in February 2025, mentioned sponsorships – encouraging commissioners to bring a sponsor to the table. Discussion of the working budget.

Chapo motioned to accept Nebraska Tourism Conference Budget Review and Approval. Barner seconded the motion.

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

 

1. Destinations International Membership – Ricks discussed Destinations International working on engagement for destinations, programs on how to outreach and maintain better exposure – how other states/local CVBs are working and developing. Sabin mentioned being able to share findings by Conference time.

 

Jasnoch motioned to accept Destinations International membership. Kuhn seconded the motion.

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

 

 

1. Financial Update and Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Stavas 

 

1. Budget Status Report - Stavas discussed spending authority – spending into marketing, lodging tax, other expenses. Mentions the balance for the rest of the year are looking good. Stavas mentioned lodging tax performance, very excited about averaging new records in the last four fiscal months. Expectations to keep up with the above average in lodging tax numbers.

 

Motion to accept budget status review as presented by Kuhn. Chapo seconded the motion.

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

 

1. 2025 Seasonal Travel Counselors – Micheal Collins discussed projection of 2025 visitor centers, new centers to staff, changes now with Kimball VC closing. Mentioned the staffing of Sidney Visitors Center.

Motion to accept 2025 Seasonal Travel Counselors as presented by Loseke. Lehl seconded the motion.

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

 

 

1. Marketing Committee Reports 
   
   1. 2026 Nebraska Travel Guide Changes – Jenn Gjerde discussed removing listings in the travel guide – making room for more marketing opportunities to inspire traveling or sponsored content. Discussion of having looked at other case studies of other states to eliminate listings, to save money and printing page waste – and eliminate printing errors.

Motion to accept 2026 Nebraska Travel Guide Changes as presented by Loseke. McFarland seconded the motion.

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

 

1. Nebraska Passport Updates – Madison Johnson discussed the numbers of people who participated in the summer Passport Program – higher this year than last year, great influx on visitors while being on the Passport for individual stops. 15^th year – so 15 bonus stops were voted on by the public.
2. 2025 Board Meeting Location & Dates – Sabin discussed the future dates and locations for 2025 to be voted on in February – a rough draft was discussed.

 

Motion to accept Set 2025 Board Meeting Locations and Dates as presented by Sortum. Barner  seconded the motion.

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

 

1. Events Recruitment – Community Impact Grant Program – Ricks discussed logistics for how the grant works and what is expected as guidelines for the grants. Heather Hogue offered more information on the grant program.

 

1. Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Sabin
   
   1. Stakeholder Activation Committee – Sabin discussed of a sub-committee with Jenna’s new position – still in the works, will discuss more later.
   2. Government Principles Updates – update of statutes and ordinances
   3. Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission – Olson mentions potential to take Loseke’s place to coordinate state based events to celebrate the State of Nebraska
   4. Election of Officers – Sabin will expect this in February at the Commission Meeting then.

 

Sabin thanked everyone for their hard work and thanked Sarah Sortum for hosting at Calamus Outfitters. 

1. Adjourn

 

At 2:56 pm Sabin requested motion to adjourn meeting. Lehl motioned to adjourn. Second was made by Chapo.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Sabin, Lehl, Loseke, McFarland, Olson, Sortum, Stavas. Absent: none. Opposed: none. Abstain: Belitz. 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 October 10, 2024 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.