Lodging tax revenue up

At the November 17 Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism board meeting, the board voted to approve Rachel Moon as the Vice-Chair. Currently there are two board openings that need to be filled.  

In the financial report, treasurer Audra Dominguez said October was another record-breaking month. Lodging tax revenue for September was up 34% from last year with $25,835.99 in revenue. October’s lodging tax revenue was $34,053.95, which is up 112% from last year as well. The board voted and passed approval to accept the financial report.

Jackie Dorothy gave her director’s report and said she has been appointed to the Central Wyoming College Foundation as a representative of Hot Springs County.

Dorothy also met with Bob Moberly, the president of 307 First. Moberly is responsible for all the metal silhouettes between Thermopolis and Casper, and his next goal is to place the signs in the Hot Springs County community.

Nick Gann of the Wyoming Office of Tourism has asked Dorothy to do a Zoom interview with Nigel Fell about tourism in Hot Springs County. This will then be featured as one of two interviews during “Wyoming Week’’ for the World Tourism Association. The other interviewee is Bryce Albright, who is based in Cody.  

Under new business, the board discussed their experience at the Fall Summit. 

Also mentioned was the board’s work with Truly 360 has been put on the shelf and it’s a statewide issue. The board is looking at new contracts. 

At the summit, there was a focus on employment through the Wyoming Innovation Partnerships. Also, there is a new training program through Workforce. Finding staffing has been difficult and is a nationwide issue. They are trying to find ways to gain new hires. 

Additionally, there was information about the Wyoming Film Initiative Program.

Next on the agenda, Dorothy discussed the Rocky Mountain Initiative (RMI) campaign that works with international tourism. Dorothy recommended they join the group and become partners and can use $7,500 from CARES Act funding to do so. The board voted and approved to spend the $7,500 CARES Act money to become partners and attend the event next May. 

Regarding the CARES Act money, the board has until December 20 to spend it and it must meet their guidelines. Some of the spending will be done on their magazine, radio ads and television commercials. The board is looking at innovative and creative ways to make the most impact with the CARES Act money.