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Ely council backs Dark Sky Festival proclamation as VisitEly warns of 40% budget cut
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Ely City Council supported a proclamation for the Dark Sky Festival and heard VisitEly report substantial 2025 gains but a planned 40% budget reduction for 2026, with staff urging a unified tourism strategy and a Feb. 25 webinar for next steps.
The Ely City Council voted Feb. 17 to support a proclamation recognizing the Ely Dark Sky Festival, set for March 19–22, 2026, after a request from Eva Sebesta, Executive Director of the Ely Chamber of Commerce. "The Dark Sky Festival is March 19-22, 2026," Sebesta said, and asked the council to back the event to help promote collaboration among local partners.
The council heard an update from Abby Dare, Executive Director of the Ely Tourism Bureau (VisitEly), who said 2025 produced strong lodging-tax growth tied to events and outreach but that the organization must operate with significantly fewer resources in 2026. "For 2026 VisitEly is operating with an approximate 40% budget reduction," Dare said, explaining that the bureau cut major TV campaigns, discontinued its podcast and reduced print advertising to preserve a "digital first" marketing strategy.
Why it matters: Tourism is a major pillar of Ely’s local economy, and VisitEly’s reduced budget could change how the city markets events and visitor services. Dare said the bureau achieved measurable gains in 2025 — noting lodging tax increases tied to winter and film festivals and expanded digital reach — and invited council and the public to a Feb. 25 webinar on destination marketing to discuss shared strategy.
Dare urged local leaders to coordinate: she said tourism "is not just about the Tourism Bureau, or the Trailhead Building. This is about our long-term economic strategy with tourism economy and we need a shared direction for everyone." The council voted to support the Dark Sky Festival proclamation (motion carried 6-0-1, with Council Member Campbell absent).
The meeting record shows council members did not take formal action on additional funding for VisitEly at this meeting; Dare’s presentation concluded with an invitation to participate in the upcoming webinar to explore options and partnership opportunities.
The council adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
