2004 Fall/Winter Conference
January 8 & 9, 2005

Nagle Warren Mansion
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Meeting Summary

In attendance were Jim Osterfoss, WHOA President of Nagle Warren Mansion, Cheyenne; Jan Peterson, WHOA Treasurer of Howdy Pardner B&B, Cheyenne; Andrea Malmberg of Twin Creek Ranch & Lodge, Lander; Ruby & Nephi Jensen of Pine Gables Inn, Evanston; Bob & Robin Berry of Robin’s Nest B&B, Cody; Dorothy & Paul Olson of Parson’s Pillow B&B, Cody; Marvin Brown of Blue Spruce Inn, Lander; Gene Vieh of Willow Creek Ranch, Kaycee; Becky & Steve Noecker of Hitchin’ Post Lodge, Story; Ed & Karen Juno of Rimrock Lodge, Rawlins; and Dave Pellatz, WHOA Executive Director.

Festivities included a personalized tour of the restored Union Pacific Train Depot and Museum, dinner, an evening with "Rattlesnake Jake" and leisure time in and around Cheyenne.

Governor Dave Freudenthal opened the conference with a summary of the influence of tourism on the states revenues, the influence of Diane Shober, Director of Travel & Tourism on the legislature and the importance of tourism overall as an industry in the state.

Also on hand was Alan Dubberly, the new Travel & Tourism Deputy Directory.  He reviewed trends and gave an overview of the 2005 budget.  "Wyoming Travel Industry" 2003 Impact report is now available; contact Wyoming Travel Industry Coalition, Division of Travel & Tourism, WHOA office, or www.wlra.org for more information.  In summary we had 6.8 million people overnight in Wyoming, $1.9 million in direct expenditures, $88 million in state and local tax revenues, and 28,000 jobs full and part-time.  Top states visiting were Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, and Nebraska.  Average visitor was 44.5 yrs old, 81% were college graduates, 65% had management, professional or other white collar positions, and 59% had incomes over $50K.

The average stay was 3.6 nights (up from 3.5 in 2002), party size was 3.3, 90% came for pleasure and 10% for business, 68% traveled over 500 miles, and 90% used their own vehicle or rented a car to travel to Wyoming.  Park County was third in travel expenditures behind Teton and Laramie counties.  Top four sources used for planning the trip were past experience 44%, Internet 36%, hotels/resorts 21%, and tour books 13%.  Because the Internet is still gathering steam and is fast becoming the most utilized source of travel information, the state is going to be revamping their website and updating it to a more user friendly, interactive site.  Comments and suggestions should be directed to them directly or through WHOA’s Executive Director Dave Pellatz at whoa@coffey.com   Alan Dubberly can be reached at adubbe@state.wy.us or 307-777-8561.

Miles Media has been contracted to collect and correct information for the Wyoming Vacation Directory, the state’s official tourism magazine.  When they call please verify your information with them.  Market lists are available to us at the state level, just contact the tourism division and ask.

Darren Rudolph is the president of Wyoming Travel Industry Council (WTIC) and spoke about this "group of groups" and their role as advocates on the State Travel Board, state level lobbying, and a resource for the visitor’s bureaus.  WTIC publishes the state’s tourism newsletter which all members should receive.  If not please let Dave Pellatz know or contact WTIC direct.  The newsletter is available on WTIC's website http://www.wyotravel.org/displaynewsletter.cfm 

Harvey DeSelma, a local art gallery owner, talked about ways of partnering with artists and local shops to get people through your establishment. Once they see your place, they may be more willing to recommend it to others.

Click here for 2004 general meeting minutes.  Minutes for the 2003 general meeting are available here.


Helpful Hints

Your ISP can provide you with a ‘hit’ list for your website detailing where and how many hits and unique visits your site is receiving.

Contact Chuck Coon at Travel & Tourism about offering free rooms to the state for travel writers or travel industry visitors (or let Dave Pellatz know as presenting the State with a block of rooms may be more effective.)

WHOA has partnered with TransFirst Merchant Services to provide credit card processing for members.  They offer competitive rates and as part of our merchant association contract, rebate about 1.5% of their processing fee to WHOA.  While this isn't much, it would be significant if all members participated.  If you are interested, they can be reached by phone at 800-654-9256 or by mail at TransFirst, 1100 S McCaslin, Ste 100, Superior, CO 80027-8615.  When calling, tell them you are a member of WHOA - Wyoming Homestay & Outdoor Adventures.  Please contact Dave if you need additional information at whoa@coffey.com

Wyoming Home Living is a magazine specifically geared toward Wyoming and may be a good place to advertise (WHOA will be looking into this.)

Contact Rita Green-Bellardo at Travel & Tourism about International promotions.  She works with Rocky Mountain International and other groups contacting the following countries about visiting our state: France, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Australia.  Also at the state level John Logan covers Asia, Japan, and our domestic travelers.

Greater Yellowstone Inside and Out is a new magazine being put out by Powder Press.

Tastes & Tours of Wyoming cook books are still available to support the association.  Copies are only $10 and are available through the WHOA office.

Web hosting is available for members.  There are three different plans from $50 to $225 per year


Discussion Topics

• Budget for 2005 - The budget will be finalized by the board and emailed to members.  Overall income and expense amounts were approved by the members at the general meeting.
   
• Website renovation - Money will be allocated to improve and renovate the WHOA website.
  The addition of a "Check Availability" and "Book It Now" button will be evaluated.
  Expand "Things to Do" section to include border towns in Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska.
  Add testimonials from guests to the website.
  Contact Dave Pellatz for more information or comments.
   
• Communication, communication and communication - The newsletter that had been planned last year was shelved due to unforeseen issues that developed.  (Jim's manager developed two aneurisms and he lost his cook all at the same time.) This year a better attempt will be made to publish a quarterly newsletter.
   
• Reasons to be a member - The members present came up with the following list.
  
  WHOA website (number one on most search engines when surfing for Wyoming bed & breakfasts and on the first page on Wyoming ranch searches)
  
  WHOA brochure distributed to visitor centers, libraries, and Chambers of Commerce statewide, to the Rapid City Visitor’s Center, and in surrounding states through AAA offices.
  
  Inspected and approved by your state association every two years.
  
  Discounted credit card processing through our partnership with TransFirst.
  
  WHOA provides lobbying and government education on issues relating to our industry.  We need to show evidence of self government which results in less intervention and gives local jurisdictions the final say.  At the moment this is a good thing otherwise the stringent rules for hotel/motels would apply which could put most B&B's out of business.
  
  Guest referrals from other members.
  
  Public relations of WHOA as a group and from individuals.
  
  Camaraderie, problem solving, communication (recipes, watchdog for scams, etc.)  A central "Post It" board is being considered for the renovated website
  
  Start up and operating assistance
  
  Co-op marketing opportunities
          International - Rocky Mountain International (RMI), Travel & Tourism’s Rita Green_Bellardo
          Domestic - John Logan, consumer trade shows

• How to fill your beds
  
  Donate rooms to your local PBS auction, the publicity is great!
  
  Contact local artists about hanging their work in your establishment on consignment and host art tours to get people coming through your establishment.

WHOA website "Book It Now" and "Check Availability" buttons

Make sure you’re listed in the State’s database

Inspected properties lend more credibility

WHOA Brochure - need to include that establishments are inspected and approved

Develop new niche markets such as agri-tourism - organic grown foods served and grown on site, slow food, real food for real people, "working cowboy" ranches, cultural tourism, etc.

Target Mormon population with their rich history in Wyoming and historical sites

Partner and develop with other Wyoming groups like WY Art’s Council, Old West Museum, Buffalo Bill Historic Center, local art galleries or artists, etc.
 

• Name game vs. marketing of current name - Change the name from (WHOA-Wyoming Homestay and Outdoor Adventures)

Almost 20 years of marketing are already out there for WHOA

No one at the meeting could come up with a better inclusive name to cover both ranches and B&B

WHOA.com and WHOA.org have already been taken.

Although hard to remember the website, search engines still point to the WHOA site and other sites have been purchased to point to www.WyomingBnB_RanchRec.com
 

• Sources of information used by WHOA guests - predominately the Internet.  Click here for more details

Action Items

• Continue to work with Travel & Tourism to promote Mormon visits from Utah to Casper
  promote properties through instate PR encourage use of properties for fam trips, comped rooms
   
• Develop list of properties
  willing to sponsor or host artists and workshops
  willing to comp rooms for travel writers and photographers
   
• Update website
  "Check Availability", "Book it Now" buttons
  expand "Things to Do" section to include border areas and activities
  add pictures and guest testimonials
  include TransFirst information
  explore & develop marketing aimed at new niches
      agri-tourism
      WY Art’s Council
      Old West Museum and Buffalo Bill Historic Center
      WY Home’s & Living
   
• Member communication
      quarterly newsletter
      "Post It" section on website for member comments, questions
      encourage members to provide links to WHOA from their websites
   
• Promote WHOA through instate PR to members and non-members
                value of inspected & approved
   
• Look at developing model B&B/ranch rec code for use by local zoning boards

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