Chamber board holds meeting

At the September Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board meeting, guest Heidi Peterson, Executive Director of Wyoming State Chamber, introduced herself and described her organization. The mission of the Wyoming State Chamber is to build business in Wyoming through advocacy, education, and communication. The State Chamber is the resource for local chambers, providing advocacy for local chambers’ businesses.

In old business, CEO Meri Ann Dorman reported on the August 10 Demolition Derby and that the event was down in spectators and participating cars. There was feedback from others that the event didn’t last longer. Dorman said she “has no control over the number of cars”. Dorman added they did not meet their budget goal for the fundraiser.

During further discussion, some expressed that audience members are struggling financially and that the cost for derby participants to buy and prep their vehicles is high and that a return of their investment can be a challenge. 

Regarding the 2024 Get Out with Your Family Activity has finished. Dorman said, “People had fun.” This activity involved multiple hidden stuffed bison at various locations. If someone finds one, they can turn it into the chamber’s office to win $100 in chamber bucks. The event was funded by a grant from the Wyoming Children’s Trust Fund Grant.

The chamber board also discussed the possibility of creating their own talent show and they are meeting to fine turn the idea.

In new business, the board discussed the board appointment for a vacancy that was open until June 30, 2025, due to the resignation of Jen Arends. There were two applications submitted. One from Sarah Slagle and the other from Christine Johnston. The board went into executive session to discuss the applicants. There was no announcement made by the chamber afterwards.

Moonlight Madness will be on October 24 with costume judging at 6 p.m. downtown on Broadway Street in front of Town Hall. Dorman said it will be a “fun event.” In previous times, they prepared 250 to 300 goodie bags for the kids.

Chamber winter hours begin on October 1 and will be Monday-Friday at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Dorman and the board discussed the coming Community Center meeting on September 23 at 6 p.m. at the fair building. Various interested parties will explore preliminary ideas about getting funding for a new community center building on Hot Springs State Park property.

Dorman and the board also briefly discussed the State/Local Civic Bee and how last year only four students from grades 6-8 entered the bee. Some members of the board were encouraged to keep the event going despite minimal interest.

Regarding the chamber’s Meet the Candidate Forum on October 3 at 6 p.m. at the middle school, Dorman discussed how school board candidates will be present and also that the Lodging Tax Resolution will be back on the ballot. The Hot Springs Travel & Tourism board cannot promote the lodging tax themselves, but the others outside their board could. The Lodging Tax is not paid by local residents. The tax is collected from tourists who stay at hotels, motels, or short-term lodgings, such as an Airbnb or a Verbo. This money is then used for marketing purposes to promote Hot Springs County and Wyoming’s tourism. The Travel & Tourism board works to promote Hot Springs County’s various features to bring in more tourism activities. 

The board also voted and passed the approval to purchase live streaming hardware and software under their technology fund so they can broadcast the Meet the Candidates Forum online for the amount of $200.

Mike Sinclair, representing HSC Travel & Tourism, reported about their board’s activities. Tourism Director Angie Guyon was unable to attend because she was out of town. Sinclair discussed their recent board meeting about a guest who brought up his concerns about the worn sign which is by the brick building on 6th Street. Sinclair asked the board if they had any ideas about it and explained the tourism board was unsuccessful in purchasing or renting it, as it was expensive.

Dorman replied that they do not have any control over it, as it is private property. The board did discuss how the sign was too expensive, but if it were used, it could help direct traffic to the Hot Spring State Park as not being far away or having other uses. Some of the board members said the price per month for the sign is $1,200 and that is what no one has used it. Sinclair said that that price is beyond their budget. One board member commented, “So you would rather not have any money come in and than take a nominal amount?”

Dorman showed the board some photos called “Where is Home?” The images are of a world map and the United States map where tourists put a pin in to depict their home. These images are part of how the chamber reports back to the Travel & Tourism board as they provide funding for their staff.

Howie Samelson, representing Main Street Thermopolis, reported how in the last two weeks some of the decorative lighting has been damaged downtown due to a vehicle striking a light post and from a wind event. Their organization is working on getting new lighting.

In the director’s report, Dorman said that she will attend the Wyoming Working Together Workshop on October 7-9 in Rock Springs and the Leadership Academy on October 23-25 in Cheyenne/Torrington.

The next chamber meeting will be on October 10 at Big Horn Federal.