Tourism director recognizes area businesses

At the April Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism board meeting held at the Copper Coo, Treasurer Audra Dominguez gave the financial report and said their most recent lodging tax revenue deposit was $11,354.53, which was a record-breaking month for March. The board discussed their financials and their projected budget was $441,000. However, they are under budget in their spending for the year by $135,870. The board voted and passed the approval to accept the financial report.

Via Zoom Darren Rudloff and Berkeley Young discussed the board’s upcoming retreat where they will discuss their goals, strategic plan and have training for board best practices as a lodging tax board. The board training will be on May 22 at 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the county’s Historical Museum. 

Tourism Director Jackie Dorothy gave her report and said, “We are continuing to be recognized as leaders in tourism, our numbers are some of the strongest in the state for our size, Wyoming Office of Tourism is working hard behind the scenes to create new attractions in Thermopolis including the Cowboy & Outlaw Tour and the mini documentary on whitewater rafting, and Dusty Lewis said it looks like it will be a good year on the river.

In community news, Dorothy said, “Ryan Shaffer is installing a golf simulator at P6 and I’ve heard from folks how excited they are for this addition. It will be another unique attraction to Thermopolis. The Off-Road Park is open and jeeps have been spotted frequenting Thermopolis businesses. The buzz is spreading about Wyoming’s only private off-road park.

Dorothy announced that One Eyed Buffalo will be featured in “America’s Best Restaurants” and filming will be on August 12.” The program features independent restaurants around the United States and helps them tell their story.

Dorothy also said, “We are already launched with our new campaign with Hermann Global and finalizing with details with iHeart for the OTT campaign.” 

Regarding resolutions for the ballot, Dorothy said, “I have been working with County Clerk Becky Kersten on the Resolutions and getting them approved & signed by all three of our municipalities and counties. Becky wrote that the deadline is July for signing so we are ahead of schedule. Audra Dominguez and I met with the Town of Thermopolis City Council and they signed the first of the four resolutions. We are on the agenda for East Thermopolis on May 7 at 7 p.m.” 

For the resolutions for the lodging tax ballot initiative, they are seeking resolutions from each town and the county to put the 2% lodging tax on the ballot. No motion was needed. The lodging tax is a tax paid for by tourists who use hotels, motels, or short-term rentals in the county. This tax is not paid for by local residents. The lodging tax revenue collected is used to help fund tourism marketing in the state and in Hot Springs County.

Regarding tourism partnerships, Dorothy said, “With the Yellowstone Highway Anniversary, we are building stronger partnerships with the Tribal Business Councils, WYDOT, Tribal Transportation, Wind River Visitors Council, Shoshone Chamber and Riverton Museums. These partnerships will continue past the anniversary and will strengthen our tourism reach.”

In old business, the board voted and passed the approval to accept a bid from Jadeco for their electrical work for their digital sign for $2,560.

The board discussed their FAM (Familiar) tour, which was on April 25-26, where they hosted international bookers and tour operators. Dorothy explained their significance as the FAM tour participants will help bring in many buses and individual travelers of international tourists. This type of tour is typically only possible every five years. The bookers and tour operators visited many different attractions and businesses in Hot Springs County. They will take home with them flash drives with documents and images regarding their visit. 

The board also discussed the Yellowstone Highway Anniversary and a decal they commissioned for their map. The decal is titled “Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway - 1924-2024 - 100 Years, Wyoming US 20” Dorothy received a quote to print 1,000 stickers for $410 and that the lodging tax board in Fremont County, the Wind River Council, already committed to purchase another 1,000 stickers. Dorothy said that she learned from the Wyoming Office of Tourism that stickers are a “hot item” with tourists. The board, however, decided to not move forward with the idea of ordering the stickers.

In new business, the board voted to start negotiations on a possible new billboard in Shoshoni that is currently owned by the Quality Inn. They will review the cost before voting to commit. 

The board also voted to move forward with the Welcome sign to match the design of the State Park sign so we have continuity through Thermopolis and can enhance their image. The money they are using is from Destination Development funds. 

The next Travel & Tourism board meeting will be on May 15 at the Copper Coo.