There have been some changes at the Visit Cook County office in Grand Marais. Katie Willard (left) has joined the staff as the events resource manager. Anna Klobuchar continues with Visit Cook County in a new role as information center coordinator.
The dust is settling on another successful Moose Madness and all of us at Visit Cook County can take a small breather. In this business called tourism, the effects of weather, economy, marketing initiatives, etc. all play a role in our measurements for success. That said and by all accounts, the summer of 2015 is one for the record books. We continue to grow and have recently made changes to our team to better fit our needs and event/marketing demands.
Anna Klobuchar, our administrative assistant for Visit Cook County, has been promoted to information center coordinator. The information centers are located in Tofte and Grand Marais, and Anna oversees the Grand Marais location. This change in leadership necessitated a newly created position, the events resource manager. Katie Willard will kick off her role with Visit Cook County on October 20.
In addition to executing the number of events that Visit Cook County currently oversees, Katie will act as the liaison between local service groups and nonprofits hoping to host new events. Katie will bring some great energy to our team. Our tourism associations identified the need for an event expert; a one-stop resource for all things event related such as permitting, food vending, and most of all marketing. Katie will be able to answer questions for the community as well as external event providers.
Visit Cook County is supported by a lodging tax collected from our guests. The organization’s goal is filling lodging beds, especially in the shoulder seasons. Having another way to measure our success has always been welcomed. I’ve heard time and time again this summer that businesses were having one of the best years ever and then it didn’t stop. September and October are looking to be record months for visits.
In a county that is supported 85 percent by tourism related business, an increase of lodging tax of close to 6 percent countywide is a blessing. Of course, many businesses are taking a big breath and a break. The loss of our international student workers has resulted in many business owners pulling long hours to make sure they can still provide the dining, retail and lodging needs of our visitors.
This is a complex problem with tentacles that reach adequate workforce, livable wages, and workforce housing. We are an organization tasked with filling our “shoulder” seasons and yet many of our businesses cannot sustain operation and often times just need a much-deserved break. I am seeing great positive energy and collaboration in solving the multifaceted issues.
In the meantime, Visit Cook County will continue to market the wonderments of Cook County. Switching gear – figuratively and literally with marketing and snow gear. Join the Visit Cook County team at Storm Fest on November 6 and 7 – the schedule of events is online and includes a storm gear fashion show as well as the popular wave dash. Be sure to download the mobile app as well as visiting the Facebook page or website at www.visitcookcounty.com.
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