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3. 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 organize 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 business. 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 opportunity 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 2 | P a g e 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