The Emery County Travel Bureau met in Castle Dale. Their main order of business was to evaluate the funding requests that came in for grants for advertising.
The TRT taxes have been a little lower than last year, but April is looking better. They don’t know why, but Easter was earlier in the year last year than this.
Tina Carter gave the financial report. In the ad grant fund, there is $45,000 remaining. They are trying to get funds from the state for matching funds projects. The bureau has budgeted $160,000 in this fund, $80,000 from the state and $80,000 matching funds from the travel bureau. The bureau will find out in June if they are awarded the grants.
The bureau is planning to print brochures with grant monies. HUB will design the brochures. They are the branding company hired by the bureau.
Shannon Hiatt requested funding for advertising for the Aquatics Center. He will use print and radio advertisements. He has people sign-in at the pool and they have had visitors from 16 states and three foreign countries. They have a lot of climbers visit and also visitation from throughout Utah. A grant was made of $2,500 for advertising purposes for the pool.
The Southeastern Utah stock show approached the board. Dennis Worwood reported there were 340 exhibitors last year with all their families coming to Ferron. They use radio and newspaper ads to promote the stockshow. They send information to all FFA programs throughout the state and extension offices.
They have distributed hats with the travel bureau logo on them. New this year the 777 ranch will host a cowboy poetry event. This will be the Thursday night of the stock show. Jordan Leonard asked if the stock show would like swag bags to distribute to participants. He said they would.
Janet Price from the Millsite Ladies golf league applied for $800 in funding. They are distributing small coolers at all the golf courses the ladies visit during the summer. This will help promote Millsite golf course. They also give balls with the Millsite logo to the other golf courses.
Kasey Edgehouse is the new golf pro at Millsite Golf Course. He asked for $3,500 for advertising the golf course throughout the state and to Grand Junction golfers. The course is in great shape and last year was a record year for the course. They want to advertise for a couple of the larger tournaments. They will have golf balls with the logo and tournament name on them and give away a dozen balls to all the entrants who sign up for the tournament.
Cory Cloward spoke in behalf of the Cowboy Memorial Rodeo. It will be held on July 28 and 29 in Castle Dale. This is a semi-pro rodeo. The Emery High Rodeo Club is sponsoring the rodeo and it is a fundraiser for them. They use any funds raised at the rodeo for scholarships and travel expenses to the state finals and national finals for the club members who qualify for these events. The rodeo is the kick-off weekend for the Emery County fair. Cloward said they are trying to make this a really big event. Especially because there won’t be a pro-rodeo in the county this year. They are hoping to get a bubble bull, add more banners around the state including one at the high school rodeo finals in Heber City in June. They will be putting the travel bureau logo on T-shirts and hats that will be given away at the rodeo.
Cloward said they have two goals, one to bring in more contestants and to give the county residents a bigger show to get more people out to the rodeo.
Amanda Leonard the events coordinator said she can help the rodeo get prizes for contestants with the big prize being a new saddle.
Cox Lodging was given a $1,500 grant for brochures and advertising money for enhanced facebook posts.
Huntington City received $700 for a new logo for their sign.
Green River Melon Days received $3,500 for advertising.
Andy Urbanik from KOAL radio approached the board to sell a bundle of advertising to broadcast county events on the radio. The agreement was approved.
Scottie Draper from Channel 6 ETV news said they have a tourism TV channel and offered 30 second commercials to the county to run 25 times a day. This channel is in motels and restaurants throughout the region. The item was approved for $150 per month. They will also use any video the county provides for feature spots.
Commissioner Keith Brady commented that he sees a lot of Moab on the channel and would like to see more Emery County on there.
Draper said it’s their goal to let people know what there is to do here and encourage them to stop in Emery County.
The board reviewed some bylaw changes. They have a nine member board and the majority of the board must come from businesses who collect the TRT or restaurant taxes at their business.
Leonard reported on her work as the events coordinator. She is providing three month calendar of events that are distributed throughout the county. She encouraged everyone to share these event calendars. A volleyball tournament was hosted in Green River and a softball tournament. She has been able to provide good prizes for these events.
The bike festival is coming up in May. In June in conjunction with Castle Dale Day there will be a mounted shooting event demonstration. There will also be a saddle with the logo on it. They expect 100 shooters from around the region.
So far there are 28 people registered for the Arapeen ATV Jamboree in September. Everyone who registers gets a carhart hoodie. Their goal is to get at least 60 people registered. The first 75 get the free hoodie.
The fair is being planned. Collin Raye is the concert with Ryan Shupe as the opening act. The concert will be held at the Aquatic Center. There will be an ATV rodeo, kids rodeo, monster truck event.
Jonathon said he will contact the state parks person who brings an ATV with trailer to local events. He will see if she can come to the fair. There will be a singing contest and producer Greg Hansen will be the judge and the winner will visit his studio to produce three songs.
Their will be a corn hole tournament, slow drag and horseshoe tournament. They are also looking for a site for the fishing tournament. The Joe’s Valley bouldering festival will be Oct. 21-22.
Commissioner Brady said Leonard is doing a great job. “People like quality prizes. Your events will stand out,” said Brady.
Hunt said the limit at Millsite is now 16 fish. Fishing has been slow. The DWR will not be planting any fish this year. He has seen fisherman from all over at the park.
State Parks is making a contribution for the new billboards for Green River.
The plan for the Des-Bee-Dove trail is being worked on. The gates on the forest are now closed. Some ATV trails will be widened to 66 inches. Toilets are being installed in the bouldering area. The expansion of the Joe’s Valley Boat ramp have been postponed for now.
Tina Carter said there are places the travel bureau can help with projects being worked on in the county.
Jordan Leonard reported the chamber banquet honored local businesses and the speaker talked on how to gain loyal customers.
In May the Smithsonian exhibit will come to the Museum of the San Rafael.
Travel bureau members exhibited at the Sportsmen Expo in Salt Lake and gave out a lot of literature and visited with a lot of people.
LaMar Guymon, chairman of the travel bureau said it was well worth their time to attend that show. He tells people that Emery County isn’t as busy as Moab and some people are looking at places to go that aren’t as crowded as the national parks.
Carter said she thinks the travel bureau needs to attend the show in Quartzsite. They haven’t been there for a couple of years. It’s good for Emery County to catch the snowbirds on their way home.
Commissioner Brady said they need to find a way to track the results from the travel shows. One idea mentioned was the chamber bucks and vouchers given out at the travel shows that can be used in the county. Then the travel bureau reimburses that business. Discount cards and coupons, vouchers for hotels, restaurants could be useful.
Carter said the Maverik Gearfest expo at Snowbird might be a good one to attend.
Commissioner Brady reported the mineral and gem festival in Green River was a success.
The board looked at the various billboards being developed and they need to choose one. One idea was Reclaim your weekend #Swell; another was “We’ll leave the stars on for you.” The board will pick a design and move forward with the new billboards.
The travel and tourism show will be on Sept. 12-14 in Vernal.
A project was approved for the Tamarisk Restaurant for the Main Street Incentive program. The outside grounds of the restaurant will be updated. In the future they are looking at moving their coolers outside and expanding their kitchen area. Grant money of $5,000 was approved. The restaurant will match this grant money.
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