March 23, 2023 at 11:42 a.m.
City lodging representative still needed to round out tourism marketing committee
Ben Brunell and Kathy Dolch, both of whom represent Rhinelander, attended their first meeting and Pelican representative Russ Fisher was elected chairperson as the group reorganized following a city-driven restructuring in 2022. The other members of the committee are Dan Brekke, who represents Pelican, Rhinelander Mayor Kris Hanus and city administrator Patrick Reagan.
The purpose of the Rhinelander Tourism Marketing Committee is to determine how to spend the money collected through the 5.5 percent tax on hotels, rooming houses, lodges and the like. Room tax funds must be spent for the purposes of tourism promotion and development. This includes marketing projects like advertising media buys; creation and distribution of printed or electronic promotional tourist materials; or efforts to recruit conventions, sporting events, or motor coach groups.
In early February, Hanus recommended Brunell and former city administrator Zach Vruwink for appointment to the committee. However, when the recommendations came before the City Council for approval, the alderpersons rejected Vruwink.
Vruwink, who left his job with the city back in October 2022, was nominated as a "lodging industry representative," a categorization that appeared to concern some of the council members. It was noted that he is no longer a full-time resident of Rhinelander and his experience in the lodging industry is in running an Airbnb.
Toward the end of Monday's RTMC meeting, Hanus was asked to provide an update on the search for a lodging industry representative to complete the panel.
Hanus stated that three people responded to the city's recent call for applicants for the position but two of those people quickly changed their minds.
"I had three candidates, two backed out last minute," he said. "We're still searching."
Hanus was asked why he has chosen not to reappoint Erin Skinner, the manager of the Rhinelander AmericInn Hotel who has served on the committee for roughly 20 years.
"Is there a reason you would not put Erin up to be reappointed by council?" Brekke asked. "She is a highly qualified member of the committee or has been."
Hanus responded by explaining that he has a preference for "new blood" and hasn't reappointed many people to any city committees.
Skinner, who was present for the meeting, stated that she isn't necessarily looking to continue to serve on the panel but the city lodging position must be filled.
"I have no problem with not being on the committee but I have a real problem with the city lodgers not being represented," she said. "I'm sitting here today and you guys have nicely let me say a few things and I appreciate that, but I have not had a vote on anything or anything else and, as Dan (Brekke) said, the city lodgers are bringing in the majority of the money to this group so somebody from the city lodging needs to be represented in this group."
In other business, chamber director Lauren Sackett announced that the chamber has filled its new marketing position. As of the end of 2022, the chamber is no longer formally working with the marketing and advertising company Pilch & Barnet and is instead handling marketing in-house via the new employee, she said.
She also noted that room tax revenue was up in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the chamber is looking to continue the momentum through a push to bring more sports groups to the Rhinelander area. The Hodag Dome has been a boon for tourism and the goal is to increase awareness of this unique amenity as well as the area's other recreational resources. To that end, a new website - sports.explorerhinelander.com - is now live.
"In Rhinelander, we're passionate about our community and our sports," the introduction on the site's home page reads. "From vibrant local lodging properties with plenty of places to stay to facilities like the state-of-the-art Hodag Dome, Rhinelander has everything athletes and sports fans need for a successful visit to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Whether you're here for a youth or prep event, a college tournament, or a an amateur adult league, you'll find great places to play, stay, eat, and explore in the Rhinelander Area."
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