Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Bill Geist, of Zeitgeist Consulting, Madison, Wis., sent a written proposal to the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission Thursday to assist the County Visitor's Bureau with an evaluation of the surrounding area.
Geist proposed identifying Kosciusko's "strengths, weaknesses and opportunities" in the evaluation and plans to suggest marketing tactics and infrastructure development within CVB to maximize the bureau's budget.
"I believe there are some loose ends in the proposal. The commission should look for areas of improvement and revision before deciding on the issue," commission member Jon Sroufe said.
Zeitgeist's option for payment on the proposal request is $21,000 plus travel expenses. The board also is looking at an option for an in-depth report from the company for an additional $4,000.
If the proposal is approved by the commission, Zeitgeist plans to begin the county evaluation Monday with a completion date no later than Oct. 1.
Mike Stetzel, CVB board chairman, and Mary Kittrel, executive director, presented a request for a $50,000 grant, which was approved. The grant will provide funding for CVB's third-quarter activities. The bureau plans to have an information booth at the county fair and various public programs.
"CVB has quite a public relations opportunity by hosting the information booth at this year's fair as opposed to being located in the merchant's tent," Stetzel said. "We plan on taking full advantage of the event."
Commission members thanked the bureau for their presentation.
"We need to start looking for ways to compliment and not compete with county events. I'd like to see a well organized schedule for the next few months and it appears things are headed in that direction," commission president Deb Wiggins said.
Sroufe discussed a situation involving two businesses, Super 8 and Economy Inn, which have not paid innkeepers' taxes this year. Stroufe recommended putting a lien on the properties to solve the lack of payment.
Commission members are Wiggins, Stroufe, Dave Taylor and Faye Medlock. John Elliot, Joy McCarthy-Sessing and Jan Carter were absent.
