Tourism Commission — Agenda Packet

MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION DATE & TIME: Monday, July 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM LOCATION: Germantown Village Hall Board Room N112 W17001 Mequon Road Any member of the body and/or citizen may attend the meeting virtually through the WebEx platform, Meeting #: 2550 801 8009 Password: pSDghZg5P63 which can be accessed by phone at 408-418-9388 or by clicking the link below: https://villageofgermantown.my.webex.com/villageofgermantown.my/j.php?MTID=m91b1cce79f596dd7ff786e16e7557c0a NOTICE: Citizens not wishing to attend the meeting personally or virtually may submit any public comments by sending an email to comments@germantownwi.gov by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting so that it can be provided to the members of the body for their consideration. Previously recorded Meeting Videos can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYp0EgELzTCa9X_iCohyhQ AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action. II. ROLL CALL: III. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed. IV. MEETING MINUTES: A. June 8, 2026 (ACTION) V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. Discover Germantown Logo Revision (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) VI. NEW BUSINESS: A. Tourism Fund Financial Update (DISCUSSION) B. Request for funding from Germantown Historical Society for 2026 Oktoberfest on September 26-27, 2026 (ACTION) C. Review of Business Showcase Application for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) D. Discussion Regarding Contacting Community Organizations for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) E. Discover Germantown Financial Update/Budget Review (DISCUSSION) F. Request for Equipment Purchase (Video Recording Device and Storage) for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) VII. ADJOURNMENT: Page 1 of 37 TOURISM COMMISSION AGENDA July 13, 2026 Page 2 UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, please contact the Village Clerk at (262)250-4745 at least 2 days prior to the meeting. Notice is hereby given that a possible quorum of other boards, committees, and/or commissions may attend this meeting to gather information about an item over which they have decision-making responsibility. This may constitute a meeting of these bodies per State ex rel. Badke v Greendale Village Board, even though these bodies will not take formal action at this meeting. Page 2 of 37 MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION DATE AND TIME: Monday, Ju ne 8, 2026 5:00 PM LOCATION: Germantown Vi llage Hall Board Room N112 W17001 Mequon Road MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action. The Tourism Comm ission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Trustee Jan Miller at 5:00 PM. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Village President Bob Soderberg, Member Joletta Kerpan, Administrator Mitch Reynolds, Trustee Jan Miller Absent: None Excused: None Also Present: Chief Deputy Clerk Kasie Miller, Park and Recreation Communications Coordinator Brenton Schimp III. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed. There were no citizen comments. IV. MEETING MINUTES: A. May 11, 2026 (ACTION) Motion : Approve the May 11, 2026 Tourism Commission meeting minutes as presented Motioned By: President Bob Soderberg Seconded By: Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds Yes: President Bob Soderberg, Member Joletta Kerpan, Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds, Trustee Jan Miller DRAFT Page 3 of 37 Page 2 No: None Abstain: None Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0) V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: VI. NEW BUSINESS: A. Update Discover Germantown logo design (DISCUSSION/ACTION) Park and Recreation Communications Coordinator Brenton Schimp presented several logo options, including the original logo provided by President Soderberg, three original logo designs created by Schimp, and two logo designs submitted by a member of the Economic Development Commission. The Tourism Commissioners discussed the presented logos, focusing on balancing modern aesthetics with Germanic heritage elements and the possible legal/branding concerns of using AI-generated logos. Commissioners expressed preference for the shield/crest-style logo created by Schimp and recommended possible modifications. Schimp emphasized the importance of having a flexible logo system with having alternate versions available. Motion: Direct Brenton Schimp to create and present at least five(5) new logo iterations of the shield/crest design based on the Commissioner's feedback. Motioned By: Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds Seconded By: President Bob Soderberg Yes: President Bob Soderberg, Member Joletta Kerpan, Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds, Trustee Jan Miller No: None Abstain: None Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0) B. Determine Discover Germantown marketing and education communications strategy (DISCUSSION/ACTION) Schimp presented the revised Communication Strategy for the Discover Germantown campaign, emphasizing visitor education and awareness. The strategy was simplified by removing economic development objectives and age-specific demographics. Once the logo has been approved, the Communication Strategy will be updated to reflect the new logo/branding package. Motion: Approve the presented Communications Strategy with the correction on the number of hotels in Germantown from three to four. Motioned By: Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds Seconded By: Trustee Jan Miller DRAFT Page 4 of 37 Page 3 Yes: President Bob Soderberg, Member Joletta Kerpan, Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds, Trustee Jan Miller No: None Abstain: None Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0) C. Select specific upcoming events to cover and promote for Discover Germantown marketing and education campaign (DISCUSSION/ACTION) Schimp recommended three events to highlight given the current timeframe for launching the campaign. The Commissioners discussed Germantown's events and which to prioritize for promotion. Due to the pending logo finalization, the Commissioners decided to authorize staff to begin gathering content at key events to prepare for future campaigns. The Commissioners also discussed using a Fourth of July community photo contest to enhance/supplement their gathered content. Motion: Instruct staff to gather content for Music at the Pavilion, Oktoberfest, Taste of Germantown, and to obtain content from the 4th of July parade and activities at Fireman's Park Motioned By: President Bob Soderberg Seconded By: Member Joletta Kerpan Yes: President Bob Soderberg, Member Joletta Kerpan, Interim Administrator Mitch Reynolds, Trustee Jan Miller No: None Abstain: None Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0) D. Consideration of developing a process involving Discover Germantown to engage businesses in tourism promotion (DISCUSSION) Schimp requested discussion of a strategy to engage local businesses in for the Discover Germantown campaign. Commissioners emphasized the need to balance fairness among the businesses, and discussed potential participation requirements and budget considerations/constraints. Schimp would develop and propose a process/form utilizing the Commissioner's discussion. Lastly, Schimp presented a list of key local organizations to engage for collaboration in the Discover Germantown campaign. The goal is to foster partnerships that facilitate content sharing and event promotion. Commissioners requested adding the Germantown hotels/motels and other organizations to the list. VII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Trustee Jan Miller at 6:05PM. DRAFT Page 5 of 37 Page 4 DRAFT Page 6 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Discover Germantown Logo Revision (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Logo 1 2. No Live Work Play 3. no DG 4. Text on top 5. Color Change 6. Alt Font 7. Date added 8. Final 9. Discover Germantown - Intro STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 7 of 37 Page 8 of 37 Page 9 of 37 Page 10 of 37 Page 11 of 37 Page 12 of 37 Page 13 of 37 Page 14 of 37 Page 15 of 37 Welcome to Germantown Page 16 of 37 30+ B y t h e N u m b e r s 2 1 , 0 0 0 +4 hotels 2 8 . 4 m i l e s 2 3 m i l e s to Milwaukee MitchellInternational Airport population to Downtown Milwaukee community events 15+ Eateries and resturants Page 17 of 37 We’re Cooking Up Good Times Hometown Vibes W h y G e r m a n t o w n ? Parks Bring us Together Events for Everyone Whether you are learning disc golf, taking a jog, or cooling off in the splashpad, a Germantown park is waiting for you to explore. With tons of community-centric events, you will be sure to find something for the whole family or the party-ready friend group. Find the perfect dining experience to match you. Germantown boasts popular locally owned and operated eateries, pubs, and coffee shops. When you visit Germantown, you are one of the neighbors. Feel at home as you experience the Germantown way. Page 18 of 37 Events Events Maifest is a traditional German festival hosted by the Deutschstadt Heritage Foundation that celebrates the arrival of Spring in Germantown. Think drinks, games, food, live music, and cultural traditions. You won’t want to miss this experience. P o p u l a r E v e n t s Music at the Pavilion Imagine hot summer nights, refreshing beverages, and great music from Wisconsin’s top bands. Music at the Pavilion is an outdoor music series with 6 concerts per season. It’s the largest event in Germantown, sure to get you dancing, singing, and celebrating the best of summer. Family Fun Carnival Maifest Family Fun Carnival offers carnival-style games and bounce house fun. Be sure to come hungry because A Taste of Germantown food truck event is held on the same night. It’s a bustling night with big top action for the whole family. Page 19 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Presentation ITEM TITLE: Tourism Fund Financial Update (DISCUSSION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 20 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Request for funding from Germantown Historical Society for 2026 Oktoberfest on September 26-27, 2026 (ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Germantown Historical Society 2026 Oktoberfest 09.26 09.27 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 21 of 37 Page 22 of 37 Page 23 of 37 Page 24 of 37 Page 25 of 37 Page 26 of 37 Page 27 of 37 Page 28 of 37 Page 29 of 37 Page 30 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Review of Business Showcase Application for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Community Buisness Form STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 31 of 37 Date: 2 0 2 7 B u s i n e s s S h o w c a s e A p p l i c a t i o n Company Today’s Date: Address: City: Primary Contact Name: Phone Number: Email: Contact Information: Website: Your Social Media: Questionare: I want to participate in the Discover Germantown social media campaign. I acknowledge that I am a tourism related buisness within the Village of Germantown. I agree to be contacted by a Discover Germantown representative to schedule the filming of one short-form social media video and photos to highlight my business (one-time-per-year benefit) upon approval by the Tourism Commission. I agree that all photos and videos are the property of The Village of Germantown Tourism Commission. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have opted into the Discover Germantown program and will receive occasional coverage by the Discover Germantown social media accounts. Discover Germantown reserves the right to release general promotional content without the explicit approval of the business. I agree to collaborate with Discover Germantown to share information about my business, such as deals, specials, or events that are tourism-related. Signature: Please provide a short description of your business: What is your brand's voice and tone? (e.g., professional, funny, friendly) Do you have an upcoming product launch, event, or major company announcement in 2027? Page 32 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Discussion Regarding Contacting Community Organizations for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Letter STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 33 of 37 S i n c e r e l y , G e r m a n t o w n T o u r i s m C o m m i s s i o n 10 January 2027 g e r m a n t o w n w i . g o v / d i s c o v e r g e r m a n t o w n N 1 1 2 W 1 7 0 0 1 M e q u o n R d The Germantown Tourism Commission is excited to announce the launch of Discover Germantown. The Discover Germantown initiative is a social media campaign designed to attract potential visitors to discover all of the incredible events and activities happening right here in Germantown. C o m m u n i t y O r g a n i z a t i o n T o : - - - - - - - In 2027, the Discover Germantown social media pages will launch, providing short- form video and social media content that will explore our amazing locations, events, and businesses. This program aims to educate, inform, and excite the public about the amazing tourism opportunities in our community. Our goal in this initiative is to partner with YOU. Through this new program, we want to showcase the amazing events, programs, and activities you host. This program is a full collaborative effort that aims to help you reach wider audiences inside and outside our community. Attached to this email, you will find our information packet about the Discover Germantown campaign. Our team is currently working to capture content from community events that have a tourism-centered focus. We may want to visit your next tourism-related event. To get started, could you please provide the information below to our team? A list of the tourism-focused events your organization operates. The main contact between your organization and the Discover Germantown representative. (Our representative may reach out to organize filming, photo shoots, photo sharing, etc.) The events you list will go before the Tourism Commission for review and may be selected to be featured on the Discover Germantown social media pages and the Village website’s tourism page. We cannot wait to get started on this adventure together. Let’s team up to help new visitors Discover Germantown. Page 34 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Presentation ITEM TITLE: Discover Germantown Financial Update/Budget Review (DISCUSSION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Budget Review STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 35 of 37 Budget Review 2026 7/14: 7.25 6/30: 1 6/16: 0.5 5/19: 0.75 6/2: 3.5 5/19: 1.75 5/5: 8.00 4/21 - 1.25 3/24 - .75 25.75 hours at 959.83 2025 12/30: 1 12/02: 1 11/18: 4.25 11/04: 3 9.25 hours at 277.50 Totals 35 hours. $1,237.33 12.37% of budget Page 36 of 37 BUSINESS OF THE TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Request for Equipment Purchase (Video Recording Device and Storage) for Discover Germantown (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 37 of 37