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Explorer Livingston and Chamber outline visitor data program, visitor‑center support and downtown services
Summary
Explorer Livingston (TBID/DMO/LVID) and the Livingston Chamber briefed the commission on coordinated tourism operations, a paid phone/GPS visitor analytics pilot starting July 1, flower‑basket improvements and upcoming community events; commissioners acknowledged the offer to share data with city staff for planning.
Representatives of the local tourism organizations and the Livingston Chamber presented a mid‑season update to the City Commission on June 17.
Chris, presenting for Explorer Livingston (the region’s DMO/TBID/LVID coordinated entities), described the three separate boards and funding streams that together support visitor services, downtown improvements and promotion. The presenter said the organizations use mostly out‑of‑town bed‑tax and property owner assessments to fund services, which allows them to promote businesses and amenities without asking local businesses for additional funds.
Major points:
- Visitor analytics pilot: Beginning July 1 the organization will run a paid, categorical phone/GPS analytics service (geo‑fencing) for one year to produce non‑personally identifiable reports (origins, movement patterns, block‑level visits, year‑over‑year comparisons). Explorer Livingston offered free access to the city and local businesses for the coming year so municipal staff can use the data for planning (for example, to correlate visitor flows with EMS calls or parking demand).
- Visitor center and downtown services: The Chamber’s visitor center is partly funded by regional Yellowstone Country funds; Explorer Livingston staff said bed‑tax funded promotion lists every business and amenity, and they urged the Chamber to include non‑member businesses on its channels to give visitors a fuller picture. Chris thanked the city for recent contributions to downtown flower baskets and noted new low‑water planters installed this season.
- Events and outreach: The Chamber reminded the commission of the summer rodeo parade and an Aug. 26 childcare summit organized with 0‑5 and Park County partners. Explorer Livingston reported roughly 35–42 visitors per day at the visitor center and said they are distributing 1,000 posters listing recurring monthly events.
Commission response: Commissioners thanked the presenters, expressed interest in using the pilot geo‑fenced data for operational planning with city staff (for example, overlaying visitor data with EMS or parking activity), and encouraged coordination between the Chamber, Explorer Livingston and city budget processes for future support to the visitor center.
Next steps: Explorer Livingston will make pilot data available to the city starting July 1 and will share findings in a future presentation.
