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Wide public support for Visit Eau Claire contract from hotels, festivals and cultural groups
Summary
Nearly two dozen speakers — festivals, hoteliers, cultural institutions and regional visitor bureaus — urged council to renew Visit Eau Claire's contract, citing measurable increases in attendance, hotel stays, and earned media; speakers requested continued professional marketing and partnership funding.
During the citywide public comment period, dozens of local and regional organizations told the council they support renewing Visit Eau Claire’s contract and backing the proposed destination master plan.
Festival organizers and event operators said Visit Eau Claire’s marketing and grant support helped them grow attendance and generate hotel nights. Joe Lustick, an organizer of the Clearwater Jazz & Art Festival, said Visit Eau Claire’s early grant and promotional support helped grow the festival from 500 attendees in its first year to more than 4,000 in 2024 and that the organization’s data showed many attendees came from Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Hoteliers and hospitality managers said Visit Eau Claire’s work brings conventions and tournaments that fill rooms and support downtown restaurants and retail. Several cultural institutions — including the Pablo Center and the Chippewa Valley Museum — described Visit Eau Claire as a partner that amplifies season announcements and leverages grant funding. Dozens asked council to preserve Visit Eau Claire’s independent DMO structure while increasing municipal oversight through contract requirements rather than direct board voting.
After hearing the public record, council moved to extend the public comment period by 20 minutes to ensure all signed speakers could present, and later voted to go into closed session to provide negotiation direction on the Visit Eau Claire contract.
