ANNUAL REPORT 2 MISSION + BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF 7 BOARD PROJECTS 3 BUDGET BREAKDOWN + BLOCK GRANTS 8–9 MEDIA, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS 4 EVENT GRANTS + EVENT RECRUITMENT 10 TRAVEL IMPACT STUDIES 5 COMMITTEES & BOARDS + STRATEGIC PLAN 11 2019 TRAVEL IMPACTS 6 R.E.A.C.H. AWARDS + TOURISM AMBASSADORS EXPLOREWY.COM OUR BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF MISSION: FRONT ROW BACK ROW NOT PICTURED LINDA MCGOVERN MARK LYON JANET HARTFORD TO ENHANCE THE Board Member Board Vice-Chair Board Member BRIDGET RENTERIA ERIKA LEE-KOSHAR DOMINIC WOLF ECONOMYOF Board Chair Board Member Board Member SWEETWATER JENISSA MEREDITH KIM STRID LUCY DIGGINS-WOLD COUNTY BY Executive Director Board Member Tour Guide ATTRACTING AND ANGELICA WOOD DEVON BRUBAKER GRACE BANKS RETAINING Board Member Board Treasurer Visitor Assistant STACY COLVIN GREG BAILEY Board Secretary VISITORS. Board Member The lodging tax was originally approved by Sweetwater County voters in 1991 at 2%. Sweetwater CHEZNEY GOGLIO County voters approved increasing the lodging tax to Marketing Assistant 3% in 2014 and 4% in 2018 with over 80% support. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. In April 2020, Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism relocated their office to 1641 Elk Street and opened the “Explore Rock Springs and Green River, WY Visitor Center.” Elk Street (Hwy 191) is the perfect location to offer information and encourage travelers to spend more time in Rock Springs and Green River as they travel to and from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. 2 BUDGET LODGING TAX BREAKDOWN COLLECTION FISCAL YEAR TOTAL % CHANGE 8% * 4% 2014-15 $701,395 12% 4% 2015-16 $961,006 37% 2016-17 $851,170 -11% 8% 2017-18 $889,207 4% 2018-19** $1,009,161 13% 76% 2019-20 $1,062,309 <1% * 9 months @ 2%, 3 months @ 3% ** 9 months @ 3%, 3 months @ 4% MARKETING PLAN BLOCK EVENT GRANTS GRANTS Operational Costs and Staffing CHAMBER BLOCK GRANTS SEC BLOCK GRANT ADMINISTRATION Out-Of-County Marketing and Operational Costs and Staffing Event Recruitment | Any organization holding an event resulting in overnight stays at a Sweetwater County lodging property is eligible for T&T advertising and marketing or sponsorship funding. Grant EVENT hearings are held in March, June, September and December. THE TRAVEL & TOURISM BOARD COMMITTED FUNDING TO THE GRANTS FOLLOWING 2019 & 2020 EVENTS: 2019 2020 THE RIVER FESTIVAL SWCO 4H: THE HAIRY HORSE SHOW OVERLAND STAGE STAMPEDE RODEO WWCC: 2020 WY STATE SPELLING BEE SWEETWATER SPEEDWAY DIRT TRACK RACING CITY OF GR: ART ON THE GREEN HAMCON 2018 AMATUER RADIO CONVENTION RACE ON THE ROCK TRIATHLON SWEETWATER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL & JUNIOR HIGH RODEO SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH RODEO SWEETWATER CLASSIC AQHA & OPEN SHOW SW WY EQUINE: SWEETWATER CLASSIC FLAMING GORGE DAYS AQHA & OPEN SHOW WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL FINALS RODEO ACTORS’ MISSION: LONGMIRE: RED DESERT ROUNDUP AN EVENING WITH CRAIG JOHNSON RUN THE RED TRAIL RACE WYOMING STOCK GROWERS: BLUES N’ BREWS WY CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION ART ON THE GREEN QUILT WYOMING 2020 GREEN RIVER KNIGHTS INVITATIONAL RIVER FESTIVAL SW WY REGIONAL AIRPORT OPERATORS CONFERENCE SWEETWATER BLUES & BREWS GREEN RIVER GRAPPLERS WRESTLING CAMP THE ROCK CHALLENGE SOCCER TOURNAMENT FLAMING GORGE CLASSIC BASKETBALL FLAMING GORGE CLASSIC BASKETBALL THOMAN INVITATIONAL WRESTLING THOMAN INVITATIONAL WRESTLING ROCK SPRINGS AVENGERS CO-ED TOUGH TURKEY VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT ROCK CHALLENGE SOCCER TOURNAMENT 2018 RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION & FIRE CHIEFS CONFERENCE ROCK SPRINGS CIVIC CENTER: BUD CUP HOCKEY TOURNAMENT DECEMBER DUNK BASKETBALL OVERLAND STAGE STAMPEDE RODEO OVERLAND STAGE STAMPEDE RODEO SWAT/SHIVER IN THE RIVER QUILTING ON THE GREEN UNITED SOUTHWEST AQUATICS: SHIVER IN THE RIVER SWIM MEET LINCOLN HIGHWAY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE WIND & MUD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AMATEUR HOCKEY: 35TH ANNUAL BUD CUP HOCKEY DROP IN HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Many 2020 events were canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19. EVENT & INTERNATIONAL TOUR RECRUITMENT DON’T JUST VACATION. JUMP INTO Since 2010, SWCTT has worked with several local partners to Explore 13,200 square kilometers of public land. Soak up the sunshine and ADVENTURE catch the “big one” on Lake Flaming Gorge. Mountain Bike through the high desert. Kayak on the Green River. The only question is—how long should you CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE CAMPGROUNDS & ACCOMMODATIONS stay to fi t it all in? successfully recruit numerous events, which have brought Green River Whitewater Park and Tubing Channel » Family Friendly Lazy River » Splash Park SWEETWATER COUNTY AT A GLANCE ROCK SPRINGS & GREEN RIVER WEATHER » Kayak Park Boasting 244 days of sunshine a year, the area thousands of visitors to the area. These events include the 2013 & 40 Lodging Establishments is perfect for year-round travel. Experience each season in Sweetwater County! 70+ Restaurants Killpecker Sand Dunes & White Mountain Petroglyphs Month Average Temp. Outdoor adventure abounds in Sweetwater County, but 10 Flaming Gorge Campgrounds • 800-562-3254 244 Days of Sunshine Each Year April-October 83˚F | 28˚C two can’t-miss stops are the Killpecker Sand Dunes and » Antelope Flat » Greendale November-March 29˚F | -2˚C the White Mountain Petroglyphs. 1,500 Wild Horses That Call Sweetwater » Buckboard » Canyon Rim KOA, Rock Springs County Home The second largest active sand dunes in the world, the Crossing 307-362-3063 » Lucurne Valley Killpecker Sand Dunes stretch about 88 km from the GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND » Cedar Springs 2014 State Boys and Girls High School Soccer Tournaments, as well Home to the World’s Largest Annual Green River Basin, across the Continental Divide, and into » Mustang Ridge The Travel Camp » Dripping Springs Outdoor Rodeo the Great Divide Basin, providing almost limitless outdoor » Hidden Board 307-875-2630 recreation. » Firehole Canyon Camp Home to the Most Miles of Still-Visible » Rock Springs – Sweetwater Pioneer Trails in the United States County Airport (daily United Take a short hike to the 91-meter-tall cliff face that is fl i g h t s ) Rock Springs sprung from the growth and development home to the White Mountain Petroglyphs, with etchings Home to the Second Largest Active of the area’s coal mining industry, which left behind » Salt Lake City International and carvings that were left behind by the Plains and Great DYNAMIC DOWNTOWNS Airport (2.5 hrs drive) Sand Dunes in the World a diverse melting pot in this high-desert oasis. Today, Basin Indians who lived in this area 200-1,000 years ago. the town is best known as a regional hub for dining, » Denver International Airport » » Home to Wyoming’s #1 Single Track (5 hrs drive) Murals Latino as the WY State High School Speech and Debate Tournament 2012- shopping and attractions. Market Mountain Biking Trail Wilkins Peak Bike Trail System » Breweries Green River is known for its natural beauty, carefully » Restaurants » I-80 corridor » Trails from beginner to advanced » Museums Home to the Largest Reservoir in Wyoming preserved public lands and many trails, parks, and » Performing unique rock formations. From world-class fi shing » Scenic Byway HWY 191 » 48+ km of marked trails outside Green River, WY Arts and wildlife watching to river rafting, kayaking and » Scenic Byway HWY 530 Home to the National Award-Winning » For more information: tourwyoming.com/ Downtown Rock Springs swimming, you will fi nd everything you need to enjoy this MountainBiking unique corner of Wyoming. #1 Single Track SIGNATURE EVENTS 14, 2017 and 2020. SWCTT recently recruited the 2022 & 2023 Jackson Hole 235 MILES TO Mountain Biking YELLOWSTONE Trail in Wyoming! NATIONAL PARK » » 183 MILES Flaming Gorge Days (June) Blues & Brews Festival (July) TO GRAND TETON singletracks.com NATIONAL PARK » » International Day (July) Flaming Gorge » Wyoming’s Big Show (July-August) Country has 191 SWEETWATER » River Festival (August) FLAMING GORGE nearly endless COUNTY ways to CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES » Horse Racing (September) COUNTRY explore with biking, hiking, camping, rafting, » Concerts (Year-round) State 3A & 4A Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments, which will fi shing, boating and more. For those who 5 Local Museums prefer to take it easy, just sit back and soak » Equestrian Events (Year-round) up the scenery along the Flaming Gorge » Old West outlaw history » Motor Sport Events (Year-round) Rock Springs 337 MILES TO Scenic Byway that encircles the 91-mile 80 80 Green River DENVER, CO » Mining & railroad history long lake. This is the perfect way to see a 186 MILES TO variety of wildlife, mountain vistas, desert SALT LAKE CITY, UT 191 Dinosaur Exhibit FOR MORE INFORMATION: landscapes, unique rock formations and Jenissa Meredith, MA more. Book your tour today. » 5 life-size replicas of the dinosaurs that once called Wyoming home Executive Director [email protected] generate a significant economic impact for Sweetwater County. (307) 382-2538 TOURWYOMING.COM4 | GREEN RIVER 1.800.FL.GORGE | ROCK SPRINGS 1.800.46.DUNES TOURWYOMING.COM | GREEN RIVER 1.800.FL.GORGE | ROCK SPRINGS 1.800.46.DUNES COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES && BOARDSBOARDS JENISSA MEREDITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INVOLVEMENT WYOMING TRAVEL INDUSTRY COALITION BOARD MEMBER SWEETWATER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COALITION ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORT MEMBER SWEETWATER COUNTY EVENT RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR SWEETWATER COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION CHAIR ROCK SPRINGS BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE CHAIR FLAMING GORGE PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIR DESTINATIONNEXT & STRATEGIC TOURISM PLAN SWCTT partnered with the Wyoming Office of Tourism and Young Strategies to create a 5-year strategic plan. This plan will