8.d 04.25.2023 Minutes TC DRAFT
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
April 25, 2023 – 5:00 p.m.
Meeting at Community Center
Members in Attendance: Sue Dickens, Lynne Moratzka, Jim Gribble and Chrissi Larsen. Absent:
Sarah Porubcansky. Additional Attendee: Christine Maefsky (City Council Representative), Kyle
Morell (City Administrator,) and 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 –Moratzka moved, Larsen seconded, to approve the agenda with
Flexibility. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve the Minutes – Gribble moved, Moratzka seconded, to approve the March 28, 2023
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Membership Review – Dickens requested repeating of introductions to re-welcome Gribble and
Larson in addition to City Administrator , Kyle Morell.
Press Day– Dickens confirmed all committee members agreed to table Press Day for a later date in
order to have more time to organ ize and gather information. Moratzka confirmed the concept is an
Information Fair Style event with the purpose to bring a few members of the press to the
Community Center to see tables or stations of destinations and organizations in Scandia, and invite
businesses which serve food to consider offering samples. Gribble contributed that some potential
visitors are brought to an area by established businesses. For instance, a car repair customer will
sample the amenities in the area while patronizing the bu siness. Perhaps attracting more businesses
is a part of Tourism’s scope.
Maefsky located a draft of the Tourism Committee’s Mission and Vision statement. Dickens tabled
the discussion for the May Tourism Committee so all members would have the opportu nity review.
Best of Scandia Review – Dickens reported that the Best of Scandia group of organizers have not
yet met regarding 2022 review, but new registrations for the 2023 event will begin in August or
September. Dickens collected post event evaluation surveys from Vendors and will provide written
comments at a future meeting. Overall feedback from vendors was positive. The couple of vendors
with no or few sales did not fault the organizers of the event. Dickens reported all felt the
advertisement and promotion by the City and organizers was more than adequate. Respondents
made suggestions for how to promote the free gift wrapping which was under-utilized, commented
that signage was too small, and requested groups avoid gathering at the vendor door during set up
time. The food truck was a huge success. Only one vendor pulled out at the last minute, and that
was due to an unexpected illness. Dickens attributed this higher turn-out to the nominal registration
event fee collected. Vendors requested coffee or water be available; Moratzka suggested in a
designated area only. Organizers intervened when inaccurate pre-sale vendor social media postings
appeared and will problem solve handling vendors which did not respond satisfactorily to concerns
regarding merchandise in the walkways. Some vendors responded they would prefer to close at 4
p.m. in order to be out of the way of Vinterlights participants. Dickens pointed out that the overlap
is intentional on the part of the organizers.
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
April 25, 2023
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City Wide Garage Sale – Dickens presented some preliminary information regarding reusable city
signs. Discussion concluded Dickens and Larsen will collaborate to design with the feedback from
the committee and pursue Community Wide Garage Sale banners. These banners would be the
same number and placement as Scandia uses at Vinterfest. Dickens and Larsen would also create a
flyer with a QR code to be used for promotional purposes with the current year’s specific details
included.
Moratzka moved, Dickens seconded, to prepare 5 banners of the design specified by the
collaboration of Dickens and Larsen for the annual Community-Wide Garage Sale in
addition to a date specific flyer for promotional purposes. Motion carried unanimously.
Scandia Business Breakfasts – Dickens asked if Tourism Committee members would consider
coordinating the Quarterly or Bi-Annual Scandia Business Breakfasts in light of the EDA
responsibilities going back to City Council. Responsibilities would include scheduling speakers and
catered food.
Motion by Dickens, seconded by Larsen, to move forward with coordinating Scandia
Business Breakfasts with Council approval. Motion carried unanimously.
Upcoming Events –
• Community-Wide Garage Sale
• Best of Scandia – registrations to open in August or September for November event
• Scandia Evening Adventures – 3rd Thursday in October, November, and December
Future Meeting Topics –
• Consider Spring Fling event in 2024, similar to White Bear Lake
• Revisit Mission of Tourism Committee
• Look at apps which show constellations and Northern Lights with the connection of
capitalizing on tourism opportunities with Scandia’s rural environment
• Maintaining connection with Cycling Scandia – this organization, and other cycling groups,
bring many visitors to Scandia
Other notable upcoming events:
• Scandia will be identifying May 2023 as Gammelgarden Museum Month in honor of the
museum’s 51st anniversary.
• Gammelgarden will hold special events on Saturday May 6th – complimentary guided tours,
registration required for the birthday lunch
• Scandia Heritage Alliance has tickets available for the Mondale Boat Tour fundraising event
– celebrating Walter Mondale’s love of Scandia and the St. Croix River - and the 55th
Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Adjournment –Motion by Dickens, seconded by Gribble, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant