08.d 10.24.2023 Minutes TC DRAFT
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
October 24, 2023 – 5:00 p.m.
Meeting at Community Center
Members in Attendance: Sue Dickens, Lynne Moratzka Sarah Porubcansky, and. Chrissi Larsen.
Absent: Jim Gribble. Additional Attendee: Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant.)
Call to Order –Chair Dickens called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m., a quorum is present.
Approve the Agenda –Dickens moved, Porubcansky seconded, to approve the agenda with
Flexibility. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve the Minutes – Dickens moved, Larsen seconded, to approve the September 26, 2023
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Advertisement – 2024 Saint Croix Valley Visitor Guide – Dickens and Larsen read their
recommended changes to the article sections of the 2023 Saint Croix Valley Visitor Guide
advertisement. Discussion concluded to direct staff to provide Rosemary Mansfield with the
recommendations provided by Dickens and Larsen, with the general consensus of the committee, and
entrust Mansfield with the final version to be include in the publication with the Community Center
Playground Photo 4 replacing the Valkommen Hus photo in the past advertisement.
Consensus:
• Include “Sister City Mellerud, Sweden” in text if appropriate, or listed under the CITY OF
SCANDIA address paragraph that will have the corrected website www.VisitScandia.com
(instead of www.cityofscandia.com or www.ci.Scandia.MN.us )
• Correct “…designated as a Scenic Riverway by Congress in 1968.” to correctly reflect the
“Wild & Scenic River Act of 1968” if this phrase makes it into the final edition of the text
in the next advertisement.
• From Dicken’s expanded paragraphs, if simplifying and dividing makes sense, continue to
use bold text to name events or locations OR use bullet points instead to make it appealing
to those who scan the publication only. Whichever makes the most sense.
• Eliminate the “Attractions/Events/The Great Outdoors” box if all is included in the new
text. Reposition if retained as it gets “lost” under the quarter panel advertisements of
other Scandia businesses.
Upcoming Events –
• Best of Scandia – Dickens presented the draft versions and feedback from Tourism
Committee members. Discussion concluded make the following changes to the most recent
version:
o Capitalize “L” in Lights
o Add the exclamation mark after VinterLights!
o Move “Inside” and “Outside” ribbons to be at an angle as in the first versions.
o Replace the phrase “Shopping! Artisan Vendors” with the phrase “Artisan Market”
o Center the times under each phrase – “12-5 pm” under Artisan Market, and “5 pm”
under “Tree Lighting.”
Dickens will submit final revisions to Julie Morse and forward to staff to place the order
for the banners when ready.
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
October 24, 2023
2 | P a g e
• Scandia Evening Adventures – Dickens requested feedback from all participants, and most
were very positive reporting increased business transactions. One reported verbally of a slow
night instead. Prairie Restorations reported vendors onsite were pleased enough to commit
to return to participate in the next Evening Adventure. Dickens will submit to staff changes
in the flyer.
Adjournment –Motion by Dickens, seconded by Porubcansky, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant