Tourism Minutes 01/13/2026

Alma Tourism Commission 1/13/26 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Davie Meier at 9am with members present Dan Kodiak, Sandy Schams, Jon Wisneski and Kathy Jepsen (via Zoom). Also, Rick Champeny and Kelly Herold were in attendance. Secretary’s minutes from 12/9/25 were reviewed and approved with motions from Jon and Sandy. Our WI Magazine events will be posted in 3 of the issues for 2026 being the April/May, June/July, and August/September. Our first events include Wings Over Alma’s sponsored Birding/Mini-train May 2nd and the 100mile Garage sale May7-10th. Rick will get these events advertised in the Riverland Energy mailing. Fresh Art Tour will be for the June/October issues. Dan has arranged for the signs in Nelson, and on the North and South end of town welcoming to Alma to be repainted. They have been removed. Dan made the motion to authorize payment of up to $3000 for Mike Meyer Signs located in Iowa to repaint and reinstall the signs which were seconded by Jon and approved. Dan also motioned to authorize payment of $250 to Dan for the Spring and Fall Fresh Art Tours for 2025 and 2026 sponsorship which was seconded by Jon and approved. Dan will submit this then to the organizer Gail Pommerening for 2026 and it will reimburse Dan for 2025. Current available funds from room tax are $42,748.61. Rick then informed the commission that Danzinger’s Winery has proposed the construction of lodging to accommodate wedding guests on property already owned by Danzinger’s which will bring in significant additional room tax for the city. Other discussion included an update for 2026’s Best Dam Day and rental of a Trolley to transport visitors from North to South end of town, up to the winery, Buena Vista. More details of the event have yet to be determined. Meeting adjourned at 9:21am with motions of Dan and Jon and approved.