Hayward Lakes Promotes Outdoor Recreation Through Targeted Family Marketing Campaigns

The Sawyer County government meeting on August 13, 2025, focused on marketing strategies aimed at families and outdoor recreation, as well as updates on local contests and community initiatives.

During the meeting, officials reviewed recent marketing efforts, highlighting partnerships with parenting publications such as Minnesota Parent, Chicago Parent, and Madison Milwaukee Moms. These collaborations included sponsored content and email marketing campaigns, which have shown promising engagement rates. For example, a June campaign with Minnesota Parent achieved an open rate of 37.1%, surpassing the industry average of 32%. This resulted in over 21,000 subscribers engaging with the content, with 54 individuals clicking on advertisements and spending significant time on the associated website.

The marketing strategy emphasizes a broad approach to outdoor recreation, integrating various activities like ATV riding and biking under one umbrella. This strategy aims to attract visitors to the Hayward Lakes area by showcasing the diverse recreational opportunities available.

Additionally, the meeting provided updates on local contests, including a vacation guide cover contest that has received over 175 photo submissions. The contest, which runs through August, encourages community involvement and enhances the vacation guide's content. Another initiative discussed was the Chad Grigsby fishing contest, which garnered over 1,400 email sign-ups, creating a focused email list for future fishing-related communications.

Lastly, officials announced a collaboration with the Hayward Police Department and city attorney to improve visitor safety during peak summer months. Flags will be placed at the intersection of 63 and Maine to assist visitors in crossing between local organizations.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of targeted marketing and community engagement in promoting the Hayward Lakes area as a family-friendly destination.