October 16, 2025
Starting time: 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Granby Fire Station
Meeting Attendance
Board Members Present: Joanna Whitemarsh, Jennifer Brown, Gretta Fosha, Elizabeth Brumm, Kristin Spronz, Dave Huber, Cheryl Spezia, Beau Larson, Dakota Cordle
Attendance by Google Meet: Heather Bishop (Board Member), Lesley Rowbal (Madden Media)
Board Members Absent: Rebecca Bierden, Jeremy Belnap
Also in Attendance: Gaylene Ore, Paula Isakson
Mission Statement: We inspire a sustainable, year-round tourism economy in Grand County with an emphasis on strengthening the vitality of our communities, celebrating our local culture and traditions, and respecting our environment and resources.
Call to Order–
The President called the meeting to order at 301 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved with an update regarding the 2026 meeting schedule. Formal approval will be done at the end of the meeting.
Approval of invoices
Gaylene will report at next month's meeting
General Public Comments
Jennifer Brown reported that the Town of Grand Lake has several positions open.
Administration Finance Committee
Jennifer Brown and Cheryl Spezia | Report on budget meeting with BOCC — meeting was good, November 17 final approval. BOCC wanted to confirm if chambers were aware of budget cuts
Executive Director
Gaylene reported that letters were sent to both current and past grantees to inform them of the updated grant cycle in 2026, and a press release will be sent out in November.
Gaylene and Paula reviewed budget numbers and grants in preparation for the County budget meeting.
CTO contacted Gaylene regarding the "Do Grand Right Grant".
Gaylene and Paula have regular meetings with Madden on the new website, videos, SEO, and newsletters.
Attended training with Anterro
The PBS program - Hometowns, filmed this summer, will air on October 30
Beau Larson arrived at 308 pm.
Contractors' Reports Marketing – Lesley Rowland
The Madden team is currently prepping for the BOCC meeting on October 28 Lesley reported that the winter creative started on October 1 and that
Madden is presently working on stickers, swag, and postcards to promote Grand County. Monthly reporting on marketing efforts has been prepared for the team, and they completed the advocacy and education videos, with both short and long versions.
Fall photo shoot completed in September, and the team is working on additional videos to complete the 3-video circle (culture/business, family, etc.)
The website launch is scheduled for the beginning of December 2025, with ongoing integration of MindTrip.
Madden is working on SEO, utilizing local expertise, focusing on paid ads over organic to drive visitors to the website, and developing strategies to integrate AI and search.
Expedia has been running since August, which will bring actual lodging booking data. Data shows that visitors staying 3+ days who book through VRBO tend to stay longer, whereas those booking by conventional means typically stay two or fewer days. Funds were moved from website spending to Expedia and other online advertising.
Emails have transitioned from fall to winter, with an open rate is 26% and a 2.4% CTR, indicating visitors are engaging with Evergreen content. Paid Social has seen more engagement from Denver in recent months. The team is working on finalizing 2026 "The Source Videos" and finalizing the launch of the new website.
Lesley showed the long and the 30-second video that promotes the value of tourism in Grand County.
Economic Tourism Summit Updates
The Economic Tourism Summit has been moved to Spring 2026. Gaylene and DiAnn are working on scheduling a November 6 Community Roundtable at Sun Outdoors for local businesses and stakeholders.
OldBusiness
CTO Annual Conference/Destination International Conference
Event coming up this week: Joanna, Kristen, and Paula are attending the CTO Annual Conference. Gaylene and Jennifer will be attending Destination International Advocacy and Communication.
Mission 2 Market–Board Retreat
Meeting notes were included in the board packet for the board members' review.
Research meeting with BOCC
A meeting is scheduled with the BOCC on October 28 at 1045 am. Madden will be presenting at this meeting.
Gaylene to meet with chambers for breakfast meeting on October 28 to update the directors on the tourism board marketing plan
Four board members are up for reconsideration: Dakota Corlde, Heather Bishop, Gretta Fosha, and Kristen Spronz, and all would like to be considered again to serve on the board.
2026 Grant Dates Update
Grants will now be presented to the board members in January and June. Gaylene and district representatives to update each district on the grant amounts available. January meetings will now include: Grant review, Chamber update on 2025 grant spend, and 2026 Grant requests.
Jennifer noted that Grand Lake is undergoing a transition, with the town absorbing the Chamber of Commerce and hiring a marketing person.
New Business
2026 Retreat Dates
The board had discussed two retreat options: a mini retreat at the April meeting and a full-day retreat in August.
PR Firm Interviews
On November 21, the board will interview PR Firms.
Swag Updates
Gaylene is working with Madden on ordering water bottles and buffs. The Nalgene water bottles come to a total of $3162.80
Kristen Spronz motioned to purchase Nalgene bottles for the amount of $3162.80; Gretta Fosha seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Storage Unit
Gaylene discussed renting a storage unit for swag and brochures for the tourism board.
Event Tent
An Event Tent needs to be purchased for future outdoor events. The cost for an event tent is approximately $ 6,000.00. Gaylene will bring pricing to the next meeting.
Grant Funds Left
Gaylene went over the totals available for each district.
2026 Meeting Schedule
Dakota Cordle motioned to move our 2026 meeting schedule as follows: In-person meetings in January, March, April, June, August, September, October, and November Zoom Meetings – February and May No Meetings – July and December with a mini retreat in April and Board Retreat in August and Kristen Spronz seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Elizabeth Brumm motioned to adjourn; Beau Larson seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
Next Meeting: November 20 at C Lazy U