Emery County Travel Bureau approves sponsorships, billboard and advertising contracts and a year-long events assistant RFQ

The Emery County Travel Bureau on an agenda held in January 2025 in Castle Dale approved a set of sponsorships, advertising contracts and procurement steps intended to support events and marketing for the year ahead.

The board voted to renew or approve several funding and contract items after staff presentations and brief discussion. Key formal actions included a $3,500 sponsorship for the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show, a $5,000 sponsorship for the Green River Rock festival, a five-year contract for an outdoor billboard outside Huntington at $2,500 per year, renewal of the John Wesley Powell billboard contract in Green River at $6,630 for the year, a KOAL radio ad package (450 ads for $3,000), approval to issue an RFQ to hire a year-long events/marketing assistant at $1,000 per month, approval to issue an RFP for video and photography services, and $30,000 set aside for the 2025 Swell Trails grant program. The board also approved travel for five people to the Utah Trails Forum.

Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show: Kaylee Morris, who identified herself as head of the sheep department and fundraising representative for the stock show, described the event as open to all 4-H and FFA youth in Utah and said it “attracts over 300 exhibitors and their families throughout the state.” The Travel Bureau voted to provide its usual $3,500 sponsorship. Motion: approve $3,500 sponsorship for Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show (mover: Travis; seconder: Terry). Roll-call recorded ayes from Brenda, Brynn, Terry and Danny. Outcome: approved.

Green River Rock sponsorship: Staff explained the festival had received an $8,500 grant from a separate source (referred to in materials as a U Lot grant) and requested the Travel Bureau’s $5,000 contribution. Staff said the festival’s application estimated an economic impact of roughly $118,000 in the previous year. Motion: approve $5,000 sponsorship for Green River Rock festival (mover: board member; seconder: Travis). Roll-call recorded ayes from Maria, Larry, Terry and Danny. Outcome: approved. (Staff noted the festival also reported the separate $8,500 grant; the bureau’s recorded vote covered the $5,000 contribution only.)

Outdoor billboard, Huntington: Staff proposed a five-year lease for the county’s premium outdoor billboard at the Huntington approach, at $2,500 per year, with the landowner agreeing to cover state-road fees and to hold the five-year price stable. Motion: approve five-year billboard contract at $2,500 per year. Roll-call recorded ayes from Brad, Larry, Jerry and Danny. Outcome: approved.

John Wesley Powell billboard (Green River): Staff recommended renewing the ESCO contract for the in-town John Wesley Powell billboard; the annual cost presented was $6,630. Local council members said they had heard positive public feedback about the sign’s placement and design. Motion: approve renewal of ESCO contract for John Wesley Powell billboard ($6,630). Roll-call recorded ayes from Brenda, Ren, Travis, Larry, Carrie and Danny. Outcome: approved.

KOAL radio advertising: Staff presented a proposal to buy 450 KOAL radio ads for $3,000, to promote county events throughout the year. Staff said the station’s coverage reaches much of southeastern Utah and can extend into neighboring states via tower relay. Motion: approve KOAL radio ad purchase (450 ads for $3,000). Roll-call recorded ayes from Maria, Ren, Travis, Larry, Terry and Danny. Outcome: approved.

Events assistant (RFQ): Staff described a proposed RFQ for a local events/marketing and media assistant to be contracted at $1,000 per month for up to 12 months (contract-year funding subject to future budgets). The RFQ approach was chosen to provide a stable monthly payment while acknowledging the workload will vary seasonally. Motion: approve RFQ for events/media assistant ($1,000/month, 12 months). Roll-call recorded ayes from Larry, Ren, Travis, Terry and Danny. Outcome: approved.

Video and photography (RFP): Staff asked the board to approve issuing an RFP to secure a photographer/videographer to create marketing assets and short visitor-facing videos (for example, responsible-recreation clips). Motion: approve issuance of an RFP for video and photography projects. Outcome: approved (roll call: recorded in meeting as “ayes”; specific roll-call names not recorded in transcript excerpt).

Swell Trails grant fund: The board approved using a $30,000 allocation for the 2025 Swell Trails grant program to support local trail projects on BLM, Forest Service and local lands. Motion: approve 2025 Swell Trails grant funding ($30,000). Roll-call recorded ayes from Larry, Ren, Travis, Terry and Grenny. Outcome: approved.

Utah Trails Forum travel: Staff asked the board to approve purchasing four to five registrations (and lodging as needed) for the Utah Trails Forum to enable collaboration with the Forest Service and trail partners; lodging was noted at roughly $200 per person. Motion: approve travel for five spots to the Utah Trails Forum. Roll-call recorded ayes from Maria, Ren, Travis, Larry and Terry. Outcome: approved.

Votes at a glance (items approved) - Approval of November 2024 minutes — roll-call recorded ayes from Marie, Ren, Larry, Terry and Danny. Outcome: approved. - Vice chair selection — nomination and confirmation of Danny as vice chair. Outcome: approved. - Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show — $3,500 sponsorship. Outcome: approved. - Green River Rock sponsorship — $5,000 sponsorship. Outcome: approved. - Huntington premium billboard — five-year contract at $2,500/year. Outcome: approved. - John Wesley Powell billboard (Green River) renewal — $6,630 annual. Outcome: approved. - KOAL radio advertising — 450 ads for $3,000. Outcome: approved. - RFQ for events/media assistant — up to $1,000/month for 12 months (RFQ approved). Outcome: approved. - RFP for video/photography projects — issuance approved. Outcome: approved. - 2025 Swell Trails grant funding — $30,000 allocation. Outcome: approved. - Travel to Utah Trails Forum — five spots approved. Outcome: approved.

Board members and staff said these measures are intended to support event promotion, increase lodging nights and capture visitor spending for the county’s towns. Several members asked for contractual clarity and minimum deliverables for the events assistant RFQ so the county can measure performance. Staff said the RFQ and RFP documents will include scope and contract language and will be forwarded to county legal and to the commission when appropriate.

The meeting concluded after routine reports and an adjournment motion.