Tourism

TOURISM COMMITTEE Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Taylor County Courthouse-Third Floor Meeting Room Call Meeting to Order: Sue Swiantek called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Members Present: Sue Swiantek, Diane Albrecht, Candice Grunseth, Lisa Carbaugh, Don Liske, Krist Punzel and Michelle Grimm. Members absent: None. Other Attendees: Sue Emmerich, Scot Bromann- Friends of Rib Lake, Brian Wilson-Star News and Andria Farrand. Approve the Agenda: Motion by Grunseth, seconded by Albrecht, to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approve the Minutes of the October 14, 2025, meeting: Motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Punzel, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Tourism Grant Request: • Taylor County Fair: Brian Wilson spoke on behalf of this request. He stated the Fair is bringing the Rice Rodeo to the 2026 Taylor County Fair on Saturday night, for the first time in 20 years. The event alone is $15,000.00 so they are looking for additional money for increased advertising. Their request is for $3050.00. • Friends of Rib Lake: Scot Bromann was present, representing the Friends of Rib Lake. They are requesting $4500.00 to advertise their Music in the Park. They have 12 shows already booked for next summer, every Tuesday evening. Motion by Grunseth, seconded by Albrecht, to give each event $1500.00 towards advertising. Motion carried. Reports: Star News: Brian Wilson said they are busy distributing 10,000 Winter Recreation guides and they are now also available online. He has also been to many Christmas programs at the schools as well as covering Old Fashioned Christmas and the upcoming Gilman Christmas Festival. He also mentioned that the Medford Concert series has 15 performers lined up for 2026 for 14 shows. Chamber report: Sue Emmerich said there was a great turnout for Harvest Days, they already have 24 people from out of town signed up for the Pine Line and Old-Fashioned Christmas was a success. Christmas Trees for Charities raised $6000.00 for local charities. Next week will be Caught you Shopping Local with one day each in Rib Lake and Gilman, two days in the City of Medford and one day in the surrounding area. The free showing of Polar Express is December 13th. The Leadership Taylor County team is working on designing a new logo for Taylor County. Public input/correspondence: None. Approve the invoices: Invoices were presented by Farrand, totaling $7,136.84. Motion by Liske, seconded by Carbaugh, to approve the invoices as presented. Motion carried. Sara Matyka arrived at 11:30 a.m. Advertising for the Perkinstown Winter Sports Area: The Star News provided several ad packages to advertise for the Winter Sports Area. Option C was chosen again this year; the cost is $911.50. Matyka also said she had approved an ad for the Winter Sports Area to run in the snowmobile trail map that is being printed. 500 copies are being printed and the cost of the ad is $100.00 Motion by Liske, seconded by Punzel to approve the ads. Motion carried. Other items from the Committee: None. Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the Third Floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Punzel, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m. Andria Farrand County Clerk TOURISM COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Taylor County Courthouse-Third Floor Meeting Room Call Meeting to Order: Sue Swiantek called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Members Present: Sue Swiantek, Diane Albrecht, Candice Grunseth, Lisa Carbaugh, Don Liske, Krist Punzel and Michelle Grimm. Members absent: None. Other Attendees: Sue Emmerich, Billie Hartwig, Jeff Hein, Dean Emmerich, Rachael Loucks, Brian Wilson-Star News and Andria Farrand. Approve the Agenda: Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Punzel, to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approve the Minutes of the August 12, 2025 meeting: Motion by Liske, seconded by Carbaugh, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Tourism Grant event summary: • American Legion Post 147 Boomfest: Jeff Hein and Dean Emmerich were present to report on their event. This was the first year of the event and it was a huge success. Attendance was estimated at 1000 -2000 people from Medford and surrounding areas. Weather was great and they received a lot of positive feedback. Receipts were turned in and the total spend on advertising was $2909.74, the approved grant was $1942.00. • Kiwanis Bucktoberfest: Brian Wilson presented the event summary, stating it was very well attended this year. The weather was great and even with other events that weekend, theirs was crowded. Invoices were submitted and the total spent on advertising was $3685.00 and the grant was approved for $1500.00. • Operation Horses Heal Chili Cook Off and Trail Rides Across America: Rachael Loucks was present to provide a summary for this event. This event was significantly larger than any of their other events, and they were able to raise enough to serve 30 more Veterans in 2026. The receipts were submitted and they spent $2078.75 on advertising and they were approved for a $1500.00 grant. Motion by Liske, seconded by Grunseth, to approve payment of all three grants. Motion carried. Farrand will submit the invoices to Finance for payment. Tourism Grant Request: • Friends of Rib Lake: Farrand will contact Laura Dueso to come to the December meeting since the grant budget is almost depleted for the year and their request is for a 2026 event. Reports: Star News: Wilson reports they have been very busy covering events throughout the county. They’ve got the Fall/Winter Visitor Guides out, the Midwest States 100 run was done again this year and this run is now recognized as a qualifier for other runs. Wilson also attended the tractor pulls in Jump River, Bucktoberfest and the 50th Anniversary celebration of Rustic Rd #1. Chamber report: Highlights of the Chamber events were Parkfest, which was fortunate enough to have great weather and the best attendance yet. They sponsored the Fall Haul again this year and had 2 bus loads with 80 participants and visited 23 shops in Taylor County. The total spent at the businesses that day was $19,000.00. Vi is working on fall color updates as well as updating Travel Wisconsin events. Billie made updates to the Tourism website and the next thing on the list is Harvest Days which will once again feature adult trick or treat and the spooky path. Public input/correspondence: Grimm attended the showing of the Discover WI segment at the Rib Lake Pavillion. Fine for copyright infringement on the Tourism website: Farrand explained that when the new Tourism website was developed there was a picture taken from the internet. We received a letter from PicRights requesting payment for using their client’s picture without permission. They requested payment of $515.00. Farrand stated that Corporation Counsel responded on our behalf asking them to provide proof of copyright. We received no reply. Several months later we received another letter from PicRights requesting $1288.00. Corporation Counsel again asked them to provide documentation that the owner held a current copyright. Because the work is foreign, it does not need to be registered in the U.S. and we were encouraged by Corp. Counsel to pay the fine. Corporation Counsel countered the request for $1288.00 and they agreed on $750.00. Motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Liske, to pay the fine of $750.00 from the Tourism budget. Motion carried. Farrand will coordinate payment. Approve the invoices: Invoices were presented by Farrand, totaling $6759.94. Motion by Liske, seconded by Punzel, to approve the invoices as presented. Motion carried. Other items from the Committee: None. Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the Third Floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Punzel, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:44 a.m. Andria Farrand County Clerk TOURISM COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Taylor County Courthouse-County Board Room Call Meeting to Order: Sue Swiantek called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Members Present: Sue Swiantek, Diane Albrecht, Candice Grunseth, Lisa Carbaugh, Don Liske, Krist Punzel and Michelle Grimm. Members absent: None. Other Attendees: Sue Emmerich, Billie Hartwig, Marilyn Frank, Brian Wilson-Star News and Andria Farrand. Approve the Agenda: Motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Albrecht, to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approve the Minutes of the June 10, 2025 meeting: Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Carbaugh, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Tourism Grant event summary: • Grass on the Black: Marilyn Frank presented the event summary and receipts for advertising totaling $3430.90 to the committee. This year’s event was very successful. They had 26 band sets in 8 locations in Medford and the outskirts. Motion by Grunseth, seconded by Carbaugh, to approve the grant payment of $2,000.00 towards advertising. Farrand to coordinate with Finance. Reports: Star News: Wilson reports they have been very busy covering multiple events every weekend throughout the county. To name a few; the new Rib Lake Bandshell opening, Gilman Dairy Days, Taylor County Airport Hamburger Fly -ins, Grass on the Black, Lublin Days, Rib Lake Ice Age Days, Rumblefest, Author visits in Gilman, Westboro’s 150th, Taylor County Fair and the list goes on! Chamber report: Hartwig shared data from the Business News regarding the economic impact of Tourism by County, ranked by dollars spent and Taylor County ranked 11 th in our region of 14 with $33.9 million dollars spent. Hartwig and Emmerich recently participated in a "Boots on Tour" trip to Waupaca, where they met with the local Chamber and several businesses. They exchanged ideas and discussed strategies, finding the visit highly productive. These trips have consistently proven valuable, as the businesses visited typically don't view ours as direct competition due to geographic distance. As a result, they are often open and enthusiastic about sharing their successes and insights. The Chamber is also busily preparing for Parkfest on August 21st. Public input/correspondence: None. Approve the invoices: Invoices were presented by Farrand, totaling $6795.55. Motion by Liske, seconded by Punzel, to approve the invoices as presented. Motion carried. Other items from the Committee: Hartwig stated that she submitted a Tourism Grant request online for Bucktoberfest on behalf of the Kiwanis. Farrand stated she did not receive it. The Committee agreed to let Hartwig present the request. The event is September 12 -13 at P-Town Saloon and is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis. They will have bands, food and a poker run to tourism spots throughout the county. The request for advertising is $1500.00. Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Grunseth to approve the grant request. Motion carried. Farrand will work with IT to ensure the link on the Grant application is working correctly. Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the third floor County Board Room. Adjournment: Motion by Albrecht, seconded by Carbaugh, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m. Andria Farrand County Clerk Tourism Committee: Tuesday June 10, 2025 Taylor County Courthouse – Jury Room Call the Meeting to Order: at 11:04 am Members Present: Sue Swiantek, Candice Grunseth, Lisa Carbaugh, Don Liske, Kris Punzel Member Absent: Diane Albrecht Approve the agenda: Motion by Don Liske to approve the agenda, second by Lisa Carbaugh, motion carried. Approve the minutes of February 11, 2025, meeting: Motion by Lisa Carbaugh to approve the minutes, Don Liske second, motion carried. Tourism event summary: Library passport-Maxx Handel Maxx Handel thanked the Tourism Committee for the support of the Library Passport program. There were 100 passports handed out and 39 returned. She identified some improvements for next year. Maplefest-Steve DeLonay Steve DeLonay thanked the Tourism Committee for the advertising money that they received. He provided a summary of the event including the nice weather, the bike raffle for youth, and the maple syrup judging contest. Both grant summaries were approved for payment. Tourism grant request: Operation Horses Heal- Rachael Loucks Rachel asked the Tourism Committee for $1,537.50 for the Chili Cook-off that will include a stop from Michelle Berling’s Trail Rides Across America for PTSD Awareness will be stopping at Operation Horses Heal on September 6, 2025, as part of her cross -country journey to raise awareness of PTS. Off & Trail Ride, making it a powerful day of community, connection, and support for Veterans and their families. Grass on the Black-Marilyn Frank and Jen Hargot Marilyn Frank and Jen Hargot presented on the Grass on the Black. They requested $3000 dollars to advertise for the event. Lisa Carbaugh made the motion to give Operation Hoarse Heal $1500 and Grass on the Black $2000 for these events, Candice Grunseth second, motion carried. Reports: Star News. Reported on the upcoming events that they are promoting. Music in the park, Gilman Dairy Days, Rib Lake Concert Series Chamber of Commerce. Billie reported on the Fix-up grant that The Chamber and Gilman received for WEDC to improve downtowns. Public input/correspondence-Rib Lake Village Board thank you-Discover WI. Approve the invoices-$14,852.20 (four months of invoices with no April meeting). Motion by Don Liske to approve the invoices, second by Kris Punzel motion carried. Other items from the committee. Set the next meeting date. August 12th 2025 Adjourn. Motion by Candice Grunseth to adjourn, Second by Don Liske motion carried. Michelle Grimm TOURISM COMMITTEE Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Taylor County Courthouse-County Board Room Call Meeting to Order: Diane Albrecht called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Members Present: Diane Albrecht, Candice Grunseth, Lisa Carbaugh, Dave Lemke, Don Liske, and Michelle Grimm. Members absent: Sue Swiantek and Krist Punzel Other Attendees: Billie Hartwig, Jeff Hein and Dean Emmerich- Medford American Legion, Brian Wilson-Star News and Andria Farrand. Approve the Agenda: Motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Liske, to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approve the Minutes of the December 10, 2024, meeting: Motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Liske, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Tourism Grant requests: • Medford American Legion: Jeff Hein and Dean Emmerich were present to speak to their request for a tourism grant to help with advertising their 4 th of July Boomfest event taking place July 3rd and 4th at the Medford City Park. This is their first time doing an event of this nature and are hoping to re -connect with the community and raise some money to help with sponsoring ball teams, offering scholarships and maintaining the flag field. Their request for $1492.00 is approximately 60% of their advertising budget. Motion by Carbaugh seconded by Lemke, to approve the request for $1942.00. Motion carried. Tourism billboard lease agreements: The committee reviewed the revised lease agreements as provided by Hager and had no changes. Star News Spring/Summer Recreation Guide: The Star News will be publishing 10,000 of these recreation guides on April 9 th. They are distributed to hotels, the chamber, convenience stores and retail stores throughout the county and as far east as Green Bay and west to Chippewa Falls. There was a motion by Lemke, seconded by Carbaugh, to run the same color ad as last year, in the same place, the inside back cover, at a cost of $569.00. Motion carried. Star News Fingertip Directory: The Star News will be publishing 12,000 of the annual Fingertip Directory to be inserted into the March 18 th Shopper. There was a motion by Carbaugh, seconded by Liske, to run the same business card size ad for $104.00. Motion carried. Reports: Star News: • Wilson reported that he recently covered the Lions Club snowshoe race at the P - Town Saloon, the Tired Iron snowmobile event and the Maple Syrup Bonspiel at the Curling Club. • They are working on the Spring/Summer rec guide. • Working on a story to cover the 11-year run of Maplefest. • Reminded the committee that the Star News has an archive of photos and the county has access to use them as needed. Chamber report: • Hartwig said they are busy providing information on snow related activities now that we have some snow. • The website is getting good activity, and the trails page had the most hits with 450. • 95 people have signed up for the Pine Line Marathon to date. • Women’s Weekend is full-with 350 ladies signed up. • They have officially changed their name to “The Chamber” from the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce. • Home Show is March 21-23. Public input/correspondence: None. Approve the invoices: Invoices were presented by Farrand, totaling $27,219.00. Motion by Liske, seconded by Grunseth, to approve the invoices as presented. Motion carried. Other items from the Committee: The committee agreed to participate in the March 21 -23 Home Show. Farrand will send the list of times to the committee for them to sign up to work the booth. Dave Lemke announced that he will be resigning from the committee as soon as a replacement is found. He made a recommendation of Brandon Butler. Farrand to inform Chairman Metz for him to appoint a replacement. Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the third floor County Board Room. Adjournment: Motion by Liske, seconded by Carbaugh, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m. Andria Farrand County Clerk