Visit Cook County board members are (L-R) Adam Van Tassel of Clearwater Lodge; Nancy Burns of Lutsen Resort; Dennis Rysdahl of Bluefin Bay; Michael O’Phelan of Cascade Lodge; Bob McCloughan of Bearskin Lodge; Frank Vecchio of Grand Portage Lodge & Casino; Dave Tersteeg of the Grand Marais Recreation Park & Campground; Jim Vick of Lutsen Mountains and Bill Hansen of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters. (Not pictured are: Mark Sandbo of Grand Marais Hotel Company; Stephanie Slanga of East Bay Suites and Charles Skinner of Lutsen Mountains.)
Visit Cook County (Cook County Visitors Bureau) has appointed its board of directors for the 2014-15 fiscal year. The CCVB board works to ensure representation from every part of the county and oversees the marketing and promotion of all our natural wonders.
Visit Cook County looks forward to an exciting year. Linda Kratt, executive directive, dreams big. “We have contracted with a marketing partner, Giant Voices from Duluth, as well as a media relations firm, LIN PR and Associates from the Metro area. The summer campaign includes complete bus wraps and the recent waterfall campaign drew much attention. We’ve been featured three of the past four weekends in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press.”
The CCVB was formed in 2010 and combined the marketing efforts of the Gunflint Trail Association (GTA), Grand Marais Area Tourist Association (GMATA), Lutsen Tofte Schroeder Tourism Association (LTTA), and Grand Portage. The administrative team and information centers in Grand Marais and Tofte support the tourism and marketing initiatives.
Bob McCloughan will serve as board chair for 2014-15. Other executive committee members include Dave Tersteeg, Charles Skinner, Nancy Burns and Frank Vecchio.
A move on the horizon
The CCVB administrative team will soon be joining the Grand Marais Information Center team under one roof. The final details are being finalized for purchase of the Gunflint Realty Building on Highway 61 (next to the Grand Marais Dairy Queen).
The high visibility on Highway 61 will undoubtedly draw more visitors to the Info Center. While the summer in Cook County is always busy (approximately 25,000 visitors during July, August and September), the highway presence will promote shoulder season visits.
Executive Director Kratt said, “I look forward to communicating our goals to not only our visitors but to our community members as well. A combined office team will allow for better utilization of personnel and an outstanding presence on Highway 61.”
The move will take place in stages with the Information Center making its move first followed by the administrative team.
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