Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cori Humes requests funds for improvements to the Visitors Bureau building during a Jan. 17 Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission approved providing funds for improvements to the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau building during a Jan. 17 meeting.

KCCVB Executive Director Cori Humes said the Visitors’ Bureau building is now 25 years old and needs some capital improvements, including a new roof; laminate flooring in the building’s back entryway, kitchen, and staff bathroom; and a new entry door for staff in the back of the building.

Humes said KCCVB has already received multiple quotes for the installation of a new roof and is wanting to hire Millwood Roofing & Construction since they were the company that first installed the building’s roof.

KCCRVC President Mark Skibowski said the commission committed to helping the CVB with capital improvement needs years ago. The commission approved giving the CVB $25,096.98 for the projects.

Humes said work on the roof could start as soon as spring.

In her CVB update to the commission, Humes said there was a 27.3% improvement in visitor traffic in 2023 to the CVB. The Bureau is also working on rebranding and will be officially launching those efforts in February.

The commission also approved providing $3,000 for digital advertising and marketing for “Followership Conference,” a faith-based event hosted by The Brant Hansen Show at Grace College from April 12-14. The event focuses on various ways to follow Jesus. Hansen’s co-host, Sherri Lynn, attended the meeting virtually and requested $10,500 for marketing and utilizing local food trucks such as Shawnanigans, Hogs R Wild BBQ, and Noa Noa.

Lynn said their goal is to have between 750 to 1,000 people in attendance, and that they currently have people from 29 different states who will attend. She also said there’s free time scheduled during the conference for attendees to shop and dine in Kosciusko County.

KCCRVC Vice President Lyle Schrock said the commission’s by-laws allow for them to support the event through marketing but not by funding food trucks.

“It’s good marketing for our community to have a nationally syndicated show here,” said Skibowski. “Supporting it in some shape or form … the $3,000 for marketing seems to make sense to me.”

Sally Mahnken with Chautauqua Wawasee also attended to request a total of $1,500 in funds to advertise three events. The organization will host a performance by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club on March 1. Mahnken said they bring the glee club to perform at Wawasee High School every other year and anticipates about 300 to 400 people will attend.

Chautauqua will also bring Shanna Zolman Mahaley, a Wawasee graduate and Indiana basketball legend, to discuss her career and journey of faith on May 7. This speaking event is also free to the public.

Mahnken also requested funding to market the 10th annual Wawasee Fine Arts Festival, which will take place on May 25. There will be about 35 to 40 vendors at the festival.

The commission approved all of Mahnken’s advertising requests.

Skibowski also asked commission members to consider potentially amending the ordinance which created KCCRVC in regards to changing how it administers grants, specifically for capital expenditures.

The idea of a new purchasing agent ordinance for the City of Warsaw was discussed at a Jan. 16 Warsaw city council meeting. The state government is allowing up to 50% of an award to go to a purchasing agent in order to pay for goods and materials up front.

Skibowski said he also wanted to focus on extending KCCRVC’s message to the community about available grants the commission has for not just advancing tourism in the county, but also for enhancing the community overall.

For 2024, the commission approved having Skibowski serve as president, Schrock as vice president and John Hall as treasurer.

KCCRVC’s next meeting is at 9 a.m. March 13, in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.