Tourism board reviews funds

by Bill Boender

The Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board met at the Big Piney Library on Thursday, Jan. 29 in a regular meeting, with Leane Gray absent. Director Eric Sechrist presented the treasurer's report showing total cash and receivables on hand of $91,867. The report also showed total expenditures from Nov. 1, 2003, to Jan. 29 of $1,456 for grants and $1,130 for promotions. Net income from tax collections for the same period was $45,167.

Kathy and Eric Sechrist reviewed a number of potential promotion projects for the board. Items approved by the board included $1,015 for advertising in True West Magazine, a mailing to Wisconsin snowmobilers for an estimated $17,000, a radio campaign on Cowboy State News Network to promote cross country skiing in the amount of $1,200 and $3,695 for a half-page ad in the Yellowstone Journal.

The Sechrists were asked to gather information regarding the Sublette County Visitor's Guide and other potential advertising programs and to present that at a special meeting planned for Feb. 18 in Daniel at 6:30 p.m.

John Godfrey reported that the final contract with the Sechrists and Cutting Edge Marketing was not yet ready to be signed as details regarding the Pinedale Chamber of Commerce duties still needed to be clarified. Godfrey said these items will be worked out with the chamber this month.

In other business, the board approved issuance of a credit card to be used by the directors, approved bonding for Leanne Rellstab as treasurer and for Sechrists as directors and approved payment to former director Lauren McKeever as she had submitted a release of liability document as requested.

The next grant meeting was scheduled for March 9 with the time and place to be announced.