Commissioner Chair Robert Sabin called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm.

 

Commissioners present: Darrin Barner, Heritage Homes of Nebraska; John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo; Roger Jasnoch, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Deb Loseke, Columbus/Platte County CVB; Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyards and Winery; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha; Jeanna Stavas, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast.

Commissioners absent; Starr Lehl, Scottsbluff; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Sarah Sortum, Calamus Outfitters

 

Commission staff present: John Ricks, Schuylar Craig, Jenn Gjerde, Heather Hogue

 

1. Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

 

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

 

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

 

2. Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda

Sabin opened the public comment period at 3:04 pm.

With no members of the public coming forward, Sabin closed the public comment period at 3:05 pm.

3. Condolences and Moment of Silence for Mike Kesselring

Mike Kesselring recently passed away, he previously served as the first Chairman of the Board of the Nebraska Tourism Commission beginning in 2012. He will be greatly missed by the tourism industry in Nebraska.

 

4. Approval of March 1, 2023, Meeting Minutes

 

Sabin requested motion to approve the March 1, 2023 meeting minutes.

 

McFarland motioned to approve the meeting minutes from March 1, 2023.  Jasnoch seconded the motion.

 

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

 

 

 

 

5. Financial Update and Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Stavas

Stavas went through spreadsheets that were previously distributed.  Director Ricks spoke about the budget spreadsheets, budget narratives through a PowerPoint presentation pointing out various elements of financials and expenses. Discussion on growth since 2021-2022.  Discussion that employment is up following the pandemic.  There was discussion on “person trips”, that around half a million overnight visitors were staying in hotels 2022.

Discussion on Lodging Tax – paying media, mention of contracts and tourism grants. There was discussion on Lodging Tax performance being record setting for the past 5 months.

 

Motion to accept status review and financials as presented by Loseke. McFarland seconded the motion.

 

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

 

6. Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff
   
   1. Ad Effectiveness Research – Summer 2023 campaign – discussion of new markets and surveys to receive feedback.
   2. American Bus Association – there was mention of group tours, looking at 2024 Nashville and working with Omaha Steaks in the future.

 

Motion to accept American Bus Association 2024 Proposal presented by Jasnoch. Loseke seconded the motion.

 

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

                               

1. 3. Nebraska Public Media – discussion on partnering with NPM to educate and provide information to the public – mention of tourism and importance of Nebraska and travel – pinning ideas for future discussions.

 

Stavas made a motion to approve Nebraska Public Media Proposal. McFarland seconded the motion.

 

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

 

1. 4. Nebraska Chamber Membership – Cornerstone. Discussion of information. Pinned for future discussion.
   5. MarkeTech and A&AT Workshop Wrap Up – discussion on great turn-out of the event, Rowe Sanctuary partnership was a great success.

 

7. Commission Committee Reports

 

1. 1. Legislative Committee/NETA Legislative Update – Commissioner Lehl absent. No comments.
   2. Marketing Committee - Commissioner Chapo

Chapo deferred to Director Ricks gave presentation on marketing campaign. Discussion of Sports Nebraska – Huddle Up Group – discussion of how it works and using data/tech to find sporting events.

 

Jasnoch made a motion to approve the Sports Nebraska/Huddle Up Group proposal. Barner seconded the motion.

 

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

 

Discussion about future attendance of the Midwest Travel Network Conference. Discussed on funding for Nebraska to stand out at conferences by providing a ‘Nebraska Only’ breakfast with travel writers. Mention of important press coverage, great marketing/visibility for tourism in Nebraska.

 

Motion to approve the Midwest Travel Network Conference presented by Loseke. Barner seconded the motion.

 

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

 

 

8. Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Sabin

Commission Chair Sabin thanked everyone on the tourism staff for all their work. Deferred to Loseke – travel conference subcommittee recommendation – moving the travel conference to a different time of year, discussion of a “mini-conference” in February 2024, with a full conference in 2025.

 

Motion to approve the Travel Conference Subcommittee presented by Barner. Kuhn seconded the motion.

 

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

 

Chair Sabin discussed excitement in improved lodging tax numbers, new business, and improvements in tourism. Shirley Wichman discussed updates from Tourism Week, the great feedback and turn-out.

 

 

 

9. New Business
   
   1. Upcoming Meetings:  Discussion and agreement on the following dates:

August 3, 2023 in Omaha – Hilton Hotel

October – Gering, date TBD

 

10. Adjourn

 

At 4:49pm Sabin requested motion to adjourn meeting. Stavas motioned to adjourn. Second was made by Loseke.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Chapo, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Loseke, McFarland, Sabin, Stavas. Absent: Lehl, Olson, 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 May 10, 2023, 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.