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Cottage Grove CVB reviews 2024 annual report: visitor guide print run, website traffic and social-media results
Summary
The CVB presented its 2024 annual report showing a 7,000-copy visitor guide print run, about 32,000 website users, 2,900 newsletter subscribers and variable social media metrics; staff outlined planned website enhancements and marketing campaigns for 2025.
Courtney, a CVB staff member, presented the Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 2024 annual report at the June 3 board meeting, reporting circulation and revenue figures for the visitor guide and summarizing website and social-media performance.
Courtney told the board the CVB printed 7,000 copies of the 2024 visitor guide for about $10,000 and collected $4,450 in advertising revenue from six paid advertisers. She said the 2025 visitor guide was produced in a smaller, streamlined format, saving $4,346.
On website and audience metrics, Courtney said the site recorded about 32,000 users in 2024, that the CVB’s monthly newsletter has about 2,900 subscribers and that the team produced 15 videos with TrueLens Community Media. She described social-media performance as “volatile” and gave examples: one top video had about 2,500 organic impressions, while the boosted food-truck festival content earned roughly 62,000 impressions when paid advertising was used.
Director Reese asked whether the CVB tracks reengagement or repeat visitors through social metrics; Courtney said staff could look into where those numbers are coming from and whether they represent returning users. “We may be able to dig into that a little bit more. Offhand, I'm not quite sure where those numbers are pulling from or if they're revisiting,” Courtney said.
Courtney also noted that more than half the site’s traffic comes from search-engine optimization. “We get over 50% of our audience from SEO, and so it definitely could be better,” she said, and indicated website enhancements to improve performance are planned and will be discussed at a workshop following the meeting.
The report included outreach and events metrics: the CVB estimated 8,000–9,000 attendees at the 2024 food-truck festival, supported four sponsored events and reported partnerships with organizations including the Saint Paul Saints, Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest and Explore Minnesota. For 2025 initiatives, the CVB previewed a “bring a friend” campaign for Strawberry Fest, a July “patio week,” and continued local-spotlight social content.
Board members offered suggestions for content strategies, including short-form social videos aimed at younger audiences and targeted ad boosts to reach defined geographic radii and demographic segments.
