Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contract Extension topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tourism commission approves one-year extension with Destination Madison while renegotiations continue
Summary
Facing timing constraints at Destination Madison, the commission approved a one-year extension of the Visit Middleton–Destination Madison agreement for 2025 and directed staff to reopen negotiations for a multi‑year contract to be presented in May, seeking tiered membership language and alternatives to the current 17% profit-share fee.
The Meltzer Tourism Commission on Oct. 15 approved a one-year extension of its contract with Destination Madison, extending the existing partnership from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, while staff and Destination Madison continue negotiations on a restructured multi-year agreement.
Staff explained that the current contract expires on Dec. 31, 2024, and that Destination Madison indicated major changes likely could not be routed through its committees in time for the end-of-year deadline. To avoid a lapse in services, the commission accepted a one-year extension and filed a letter (signed by members including Jim and Kevin, the presenter said) outlining commission priorities for the next contract.
Commissioners said they expect a replacement agreement to be ready for commission consideration in May. Among the items staff and the commission flagged for renegotiation are a transparent, tiered-membership structure describing benefits at each level and an alternative to the current 17% profit-share fee; staff said Destination Madison has agreed in principle to discuss those items and will return with revised language.
The motion to approve the one-year extension was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff will forward the signed extension to the city attorney and then to finance and common council for their approval before year-end, per the process described at the meeting.
Commission members also said they will audit other partnership memberships (for example, industry memberships in US Bridal, Destinations International and Destinations Wisconsin) as part of a three-year strategic review to ensure membership dollars are allocated effectively.
