Chamber discusses Fourth of July, dinosaur center

Thursday evening, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met at the Hot Springs County Museum.

Chamber Director Meri Ann Rush provided an update regarding the Waikiki Beach getaway fundraiser. As of Thursday, Rush said 52 tickets were sold. The drawing will be during the March 17 Chamber Meet and Greet, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Central Bank & Trust. Beer and brats will be served.

The annual meeting is scheduled for April 14, and Rush noted it would be similar to a regular meeting. Board President Damien Oliver will provide a recap, she said, of everything done in the past year.

Oliver pointed out the recap would essentially be the same information provided at the Chamber banquet, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. March 19 at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. The theme is Casino Royale, complete with games.

"Call it a preview of the banquet," Oliver said. "The reason and the rationale behind that is the banquet is likely to be much more well-attended than our annual meeting has been in the past." The bottom line, he added, is to get communication to Chamber members, and the banquet provides that venue.

Also with regard to the banquet, Rush noted she needs people who would be able to deal at and oversee the casino games. She asked anyone interested to let her know. Games will be during the social hour, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and she would like to have volunteers there at 5 p.m.

Rush further informed the board that decorating for the banquet begins at 9 a.m. March 18, if anyone is available to help. There is a break from decorating at 11:45 a.m. to allow for the Pay It Forward at Home Health, and Rush expects to be done that evening.

"It's coming along good," Rush said of the banquet. "We have great nominations for Citizen, Business and Non-Profit, and I see it as a fun evening. I know it will be."

Barb Heinze reported the Fourth of July Celebration Committee met on Monday, March 7, though it was poorly attended and she was considering not continuing forward with the idea.

Heinze later noted a concern for Rush, who might put in a 14-hour day, then spend more time arranging committee meetings for which nobody shows up.

Oliver said those who volunteer to be on committees should really make an effort to attend the meetings. Later, he said he and Rush discussed the shortage or people to volunteer, and how the burden tends to fall on the same people time and time again. Rush noted this is happening on several committees, not just Fourth of July.

Board Member Gayla Mead-Ellis said she would appreciate a reminder closer to meeting dates, rather than, for instance, an email on the first of the month for a meeting on the 10th.

Regarding the Fourth of July celebration, Oliver suggested putting the idea out to the community to solicit input. This could, in turn, lead to solicitation of volunteers - whether Chamber members or not - to form a committee to handle the July Fourth celebration or other events. The Chamber would still be available to provide guidance, if needed.

Board Vice President Greg Wilson pointed out there is no longer a Fourth of July parade, and the celebration event is in lieu of that. He added it would be sad to see the event go away, since people look forward to it.

Rush also shared awards nomination forms from the Wyoming State Chamber Association, and encouraged members to submit any nominations they might have. Awards presented at the awards dinner April 21 in Rawlins, include: Best Chamber Employee, Chamber Director of the Year, Best Board Member or Volunteer of the Year, Best Facebook and/or Social Media and Best Business Member.

Rush will attend the dinner as part of the overall conference April 20-22, and noted she gets a lot of good feedback from the conference because it is with other Chamber directors.

Amanda Moeller reported the business park south of town was sold to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The next big thing, she said, is the center building a new facility there. She hopes the new facility will bring new jobs to the community, as well as a "plethora of good things for our entire region as far as tourism. It's not just our county it will benefit. It will also benefit the entire Big Horn Basin and the state of Wyoming."

Moeller further reported the Economic Development Board is undergoing team building, noting there has been a lot of recent transition of membership. With the new members, she said, it might be time to start looking at doing some things differently.

As for Tourism, Moeller said the recent Keys to the City promotion went well. She explained Hot Springs Travel and Tourism handed out key chains to the visitors who stayed at local hotels.

Those key chains provided discounts at participating businesses. She started with 1,500 keys, and had only 50 left, and hoped the promotion was positive for the businesses.

Another project, Moeller said, is the development of a Tourism mobile app. She explained it will be like a walking tour app, and it should be ready to launch in May.