Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.4a 2023 Events Plan Memo TO: Board of Directors, Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau FROM: Julie Prior-Miller, Marketing and Communications Specialist DATE: February 24, 2023 RE: 2023 Events Plan Background Events for the 2022 season in Cottage Grove seemed to return to ‘normal’ since the COVID-19 epidemic first began. Thus, 2022 was a learning year for the CGCVB about which events it makes sense for us to attend in full capacity with tent, swag, guides, staff, etc. Now that we have a better understanding of which events have large turnouts and make sense for the CGCVB to attend, we can better anticipate and plan for events in 2023. Discussion Below are remaining events for the 2023 year that staff recommend a “full” CGCVB presence at. These events have been chosen for specific reasons, but mainly due to the anticipated number of attendees. Staffing these events is a heavy consideration, so having an attendee/visitor turnout of 500 or above was used to help determine our level of participation. (“Full” presence meaning: Discover Cottage Grove tent set-up, staff working table and answering questions, handouts provided, etc. Please note this does not mean Discover Cottage Grove will not have a presence at other events.) Date, Event, Location, Reason(s), Expected Attendance • April 29, Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Community Showcase, Park High School Activity Center. This is a free event with business booths, a job fair, a blood drive, kid’s activities, entertainment, shopping, prizes and more. The goal of the showcase is to bring Cottage Grove area residents to one location where they can learn more about local businesses and organizations that make our surrounding area the amazing and unique destination it is. This is a great opportunity for Discover Cottage Grove to get in front of local residents and let them know who we are since we are still a fairly young entity in the community. (Expected attendance: 750) • May 27-28, One Family Tournament, Kingston Park, a very large percentage of this tournament is visitors (our target market) coming into Cottage Grove from out of town. They also host an array of food trucks at this event that the community is invited to partake in. In addition, as a city entity, we do recognize that this tournament brings in a diverse population to our city and we value their feedback in how we can be as welcoming as possible and gain more traction with other diverse groups coming into our city. This organization values the city as a partner, is well organized and thoughtful about the neighborhood impact of their event, and hosts two events per year. (Expected attendance: 2,000) • Jun. 10, Cottage Grove Community Night, St. Paul Saints Game at CHS Field, the CGCVB board ultimately makes the decision of whether to attend this event. For 2023, the board has decided to attend in “full” capacity. (Expected attendance: stadium) • Jun. 15-17, Strawberry Fest Marketplace, Kingston Park. The Strawberry Fest is Cottage Grove’s largest event of the year, drawing in 20,000-25,000 attendees locally, around the state and regionally. Discover Cottage Grove staff believe it’s prudent to have a tent presence at this event for visitors to be able to ask questions, receive recommendations and learn more about Cottage Grove. (Expected attendance: 17,000- 25,000) • Aug. 19, Cottage Grove Bike Park 10-Year Anniversary, West Draw Park (also known as the Cottage Grove Bike Park). The Cottage Grove Bike Park is a unique local gem that many visitors from all over Minnesota come to enjoy. As a city, we are lucky to have such a unique attraction to draw people in to visit our beautiful town. This summer, the bike park celebrates their 10-year anniversary and is planning a fun and large event for all to attend. Discover Cottage Grove has a great relationship with the volunteers who run the bike park and who are hosting the event and staff believe it would be beneficial to attend this event in support of the bike park (and its volunteers), keep the relationship strong and because we believe it will draw a large crowd, many of whom could be, or already are visitors to our city. (Expected attendance: 750-1,500) • November, date to be determined, Hometown Holiday Celebration, City Hall. Returning in 2023 after its inaugural year, the Hometown Holiday Celebration proved to be a hit with residents and visitors alike. Previously known as the ‘Holiday Tree Lighting’ this upgraded event hosted live reindeer, kid's games, city vehicles, food trucks, and more. Discover Cottage Grove is excited to be part of a hometown event like this showing pride with its community. (Expected attendance: 750-2,000) • December, date to be determined, Holiday Train, Youth Service Bureau area. The CP Holiday Train is a long-standing tradition in Cottage Grove, going on 21 years in 2023. Local communities to Cottage Grove and visitors from afar travel to Cottage Grove to see the brightly lit train with its fun and musical performances each year. It frequently draws very large crowds, with visitors who may not be familiar with Cottage Grove. Discover Cottage Grove staff believe it’s prudent to have a tent presence at this event for visitors to be able to ask questions, receive recommendations and learn more about Cottage Grove. (Expected attendance: 5,000-8,000) Recommendation 1. Receive 2023 events information.