Keith County tourism director Sean Rubak told the Board of Commissioners that the county’s visitor committee recommends changing grant guidelines so promotion grants can be awarded to nonprofit, public and for‑profit entities that demonstrate tourism benefit.

Rubak briefed commissioners Oct. 22 on several items: visitor‑committee action to grant a 30‑day extension to the Ogallala Roundup rodeo for final receipts, approval of a $2,500 Boot Hill flyers reimbursement, expanded use of Placer AI foot‑traffic reports for the county fair and lake venues, and ongoing outreach to additional travel and hunting expos for 2026. He also reported another record month for lodging tax revenue in August, noting the county’s casino had opened that month.

Rubak said the promotion‑grant guideline change is intended to help capture events or private businesses that bring “heads and beds” to Keith County, and he told commissioners he contacted peer counties while researching the change. He listed counties he consulted — Buffalo County, Cheyenne County, Lincoln County, Cherry County and York — and said county practices vary.

On data and marketing, Rubak described use of Placer AI geofencing to understand visitor origin and patterns at Lake McConaughy and county sites. He reported some limitations — a 5,000,000‑square‑foot geofencing cap that constrains splitting the north lake camping area into many slices — and said he will work with Game and Parks or Placer to refine the approach. He said the county used recent photo and drone footage in state-level marketing; some photos are being used by Visit Nebraska.

Rubak said he will continue a slate of 2026 trade shows (Omaha, Lincoln, Cheyenne and a proposed Mile High Hunt & Fish Expo in Colorado) and that the county’s new trailer and pickup for trade‑show use should be wrapped and in service by year‑end. He told commissioners, “This is my Christmas season,” describing his work preparing giveaways and displays for winter shows.

Why it matters: Expanding promotion‑grant eligibility could widen the county’s pool of tourism partners and increase lodging‑tax revenue if implemented carefully; commissioners asked Rubak to ensure grant standards continue to prioritize measurable lodging and visitor outcomes.

What’s next: Visitor committee will finalize recommended guideline language and the board will consider any formal change; Rubak will continue Placer AI work, finalize the trailer wrap and provide lodging‑tax updates at future meetings.