A2D relaunched

The Carbon County Visitors Council (CCVC) met on August 18 at the Cowboy Inn in Baggs. Newly elected Chairperson Danny Burau called the meeting to order. The agenda was quickly approved and the meeting went immediately into the financials.

The board approved the distribution of 11 checks to municipalities and the county treasurer for a total of $17,222.37. The total collected from Lodging Tax revenue for the month of August was $172,223.68. This time frame is actually monies collected from around the last two weeks of June to mid-July.

This is up from the previous year, when the lodging tax brought in revenues of $74, 009.38. It is also up from 2019, which saw this figure at $110,242.10.

Carbon County itself brought in $116,148.71. Last year, this figure was $46,051.38 and in 2019 it was $66,119.40. Rawlins also saw a major increase from last year and 2019. This year, the city brought in $50,352.81 compared to last year’s $21,842.70 and 2019’s $37,843.70. Saratoga did go up slightly at $4,0001.33 versus 2020’s $3397.03 and was lower than 2019’s take of $5,095.77. Encampment, Elk Mountain and Riverside were also up while all other municipalities were a little down. Hanna recorded some lodging tax revenue for the first time in a few years. The town has been contacted to find out where it was coming from since there is no lodging in this town.

The board approved 73 vouchers between July 15 through August 18, 2021 totaling $114,581.76 for payment. Final Grant Reports were reviewed from: Little Snake River Visitors Center; Festival of the Arts; Kiwanis Corn Hole Tournament; and Sleuthing with Joe Pickett.

CEO Leslie Jefferson went over marketing. Next, the board approved a Wyoming Press Association ad through The Saratoga Sun to promote a visiting Carbon County link to WYCarbon.com and safevtravel. Online and radio presence for Carbon County was reviewed. For a video, a voice over script was deemed best and the board will utilize local historians for information.

Various outdoor recreation signage was discussed. Jefferson said WYDOT returned her call and a meeting for placement within Rawlins city limits would be held on August 19. Jefferson said there might be an opportunity to partner with The Continental Divide Trail Coalition on an educational kiosk. The cost is approximately $10,000.00 per kiosk.

On September 19, a Colorado Tour over The Snowy Range, south to Encampment for lunch, then over Battle Pass will occur. The board will go out and greet them when they come to Encampment. Also September 19, an HEM Museums Fundraiser event will start at 2 p.m.

The Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget was ratified. The CCVC approved a policy to maintain a Financial Reserve equaling 50 percent or six months of the total CCVC expenditures for the previous fiscal year.

New designs for the travel safe face shield/neck buff from Supply Motion were ordered. 2,500 Antelope and 2,500 Carbon County buffs were approved to purchase. Jefferson recieved approval to relaunch the Carbon County WY – Visitor Journey A2D Learning Center.

CCVC has partnered with Visitor Engagement Academy to produce the training tool.

“This summer we have seen that travel and tourism is resilient and has returned to Carbon County,” Jefferson said. “With the summer season coming to an end, we are relaunching our Visitor Journey A2D (Arrival to Departure). The course is 100 percent free to residents of Carbon County.”

The Carbon County WY – Visitor Journey A2D is a combination of online learning along with a live class that ties the training together. The time required to complete the course is roughly two hours of online learning, broken into 15 to 20 minute segments, and a 60 to 75 minute live class.

“The Visitor Journey A2D program teaches us that not just lodging partners and/or hospitality partners have interaction with visitors, but all Carbon County residents have a chance of a visitor encounter,” Jefferson said. “Our goal is to enable the public to help visitors have the best experience possible in Carbon County. The course covers how to connect and engage visitors, provide great customer service, visitor information resources and where to find them, and how to provide more than expected with insider information.”

To thank those individuals who have taken or will take and complete the entire course, a drawing for one $150 gift certificate will be held on September 15. To qualify for the drawing, register and complete the online segments and attend the live class (in person or remotely). To register for the Visitor Journey A2D course go to http://bit.ly/CarbonCountyA2D.

The next meeting of the CCVC Board of Directors will be held at 10 a.m. September 15 at the Riverside Town Hall in Riverside.