West Bend Tourism Commission elects officers and awards $25,000 to local events

The City of West Bend Tourism Commission elected Mike Yensch as chair and Kirk Emrick as vice chair and approved a slate of tourism grants that together total $25,000 at its meeting.

Commissioners voted to approve minutes from the Jan. 14, 2025, regular meeting before taking up officer elections. Mike Yensch was nominated and confirmed as chair; Kirk Emrick was nominated and confirmed as vice chair. The commission reported a current encumbrance of about $208,000 and noted that one-third payments to local organizations and fireworks obligations represent the largest current expenses.

The commission opened and briefly discussed tourism grant applications, then moved into a closed session under “state statute section 19.85” to review applications. After reconvening, commissioners approved the grant awards that had been recommended in closed session and made an additional, separate commitment to a museum exhibition. The commission budgeted $15,000 for the current grant cycle and allocated those funds as follows: Chicks for a Cause — $1,000; Bachfest — $5,000; Chocolate Around the Bend — $2,000; Winter on Main — $7,000. Commissioners also approved a $10,000 commitment to the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition at the museum (a separate commitment above the $15,000 grant budget).

Carmen Fox, executive director of Chicks for a Cause, outlined the organization’s grant request for its spring beer walk and said, “This year, we'd like to introduce maybe some food trucks or maybe partnering with performances.” Jacob (tourism staff) and event representatives told the commission that Bachfest had about 1,300 attendees at the March event and that organizers plan to expand beer and entertainment options. Laurie Winters, executive director of the museum, described the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition, saying it will open Oct. 2 and include about 70 objects, “mostly chairs, tables,” and noted that the museum is fabricating designs “that have been lost to history.” Brianna Fisher, director of development, added that the exhibit will be marketed to nearby metropolitan areas to attract visitors.

Commissioners voted on the package of awards and the museum commitment by voice; the meeting record shows the motions carried but does not record individual roll-call tallies. The commission also announced that a new Major Event Grant application round will open May 13 and close June 9; the Major Event Grant provides up to $20,000 for promotion and operational expenses for new events intended to draw at least 1,000 visitors.

Staff reported plans for summer promotions and content production, including photography and videography at events, social media content, a monthly newsletter and outreach related to the opening of the city’s Aqua Park in June and GlobalFest in June. Callie Thiel, the city’s communications director, introduced herself to the commission and said she is scheduling one-on-one meetings with local partners to improve coordination.

Meeting materials showed the commission’s $15,000 grant budget for this cycle; commissioners explained the $10,000 museum commitment as an additional allocation they judged important for the community.

The commission adjourned after the staff reports.