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COMMITTEE ON LAW & LICENSING
February 26, 2008


R.O. No. 507-07-08 (22–25) – Communication from Tourism Manager
Submitting a communication from Kim Swisher, Tourism Manager, requesting permission to host  an annual Roar on Sheboygan’s Shores Motorcycle Rally at Deland Park on Father’s Day weekend.

So she's a biker bitch, too eh?

That's the same weekend they have "Wings and Wheels" out at the County Airport which is always a huge, I mean HUGE attraction.  And didn't she also do an event last labor day weekend the same weekend as the County Fair??

Can't she find a weekend to host an event that doesn't compete with another popular event?  Seems she would have more luck getting people there if it wasn't competing with something else.  Or maybe she isn't quite that smart.

Oh get ready for some overtime issues with this event.  Some of these motorcycle rallies can attract lots of undesirable people, meaning more cops working overtime.  Or maybe Juanie can get his friend Elliot to do it for free.

First concern I had, too.  This is the best we can bring to Sheboygan? Yeah ... I suppose it would be what with the shape we're in these days.

You're right that she schedules these events opposite other very popular events.  I know she's not from Sheboygan, but I believe she is from WISCONSIN.  This is really poor planning indeed.  What will she tell us the next time she speaks at a CC meeting?

She is being real smart about this. If it makes money, she can brag about how much money it made and how good an idea it was. If it fails, she can blame the other event for taking away the people, but still make her look good because she came up with the idea.

And we certainly can't forget that she (and the person who hired her) don't want to work with the County Tourism, so lets hold an event and try to take people away from the County's big event.

Maybe she's hoping we'll become another Sturgis!  Well, I know a lot of Harley owners who are top-notch people, but some may remember a different bit of Sheboygan history and biking.  Remember the problems back in the 70's with motorcycle gangs?  Was it the Outlaws?  They tried to really move in as a strong criminal element and it took a lot of work to deal with it. I'm sure this is nothing at all like that, but some people may still remember that if you put "Sheboygan" and "Motorcycles" in the same sentence.  Just like you wouldn't want to have a big lamp-shade convention in a certain city where Mr. Ed Gein used to live...(oh yuck, that's really beneath me).

I'm not 100% sure, but i think thats the "Bike Weekend"
at Road America.

if so, then this is a great Idea and will be wildly successful.

You guys haven't seen the RA Bike Crowd obviously.

Very upscale folks with expensive toys and money to spend.

I love Wings and Wheels, but Sunday/Fathers day is the big day there.

I'm sure The Bikers will be at RA on Sunday!!

Seems like you folks won't ever give new ideas a chance?

Well, it is our tax dollars she is losing on these ventures of hers.  It's nothing to do with new ideas at all, it's to do with ideas that make SENSE.

If that's the case Fran, then it makes even less sense to have it that weekend.  Don't you think all the bikers would be out at RA, a first class event, rather than being in Sheboygan???

That's what common sense would dictate.

She's just using the RA event (imagine the promo they'll be doing, never mind  they're already a popular draw to SHEBOYGAN COUNTY as in not city) to try to up our tourism numbers.  It's so transparent it's pathetic.  Never mind embarrassing.

They'll be drinking out at RA.  Then they can "roar" into Sheboygan, and attend the "Roar" and man, be sure you get out of their way.  There could be accidents.

Another thing, if people rent rooms around or in Sheboygan, she is looking to claim credit for the room tax in her next report to the Council.  They will rent rooms for two exceptionally popular events in town, and she will take credit for the room tax dollars.

Just watch and see.

I have a feeling that this was planned just for that very reason.  The room tax.  Well, of course, though, we are supposedly too stupid to notice this.

EXACTLY!

Whenever there is n event at Road America or an event at one of the world class golf courses (all of these things are in the county) hotels usually within 30 miles or further are all booked.  So it wouldn't be unusual for hotels in the city to be booked.  But you're right, Swisher will probably take vredit for filling those rooms even though it would have nothing to do with her little event.

Frans,

I will always give "new ideas a chance."  I know that many Bikers are great people - had many stay at my Inn.  I also know that if anyone comes for an event planned by Road America - THAT is where they spend their time.  Perfect example is the Art Festival that is put on every year by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.  It is a wonderful Art Show, but it has always been planned the same weekend as the Vintage Race at Road America.  As a Lodging Owner, I can get a 4 night booking for anyone coming to the Vintage Race or a 2 night booking for the Art Festival - guess which booking I take?  So, I am helping the people coming to the Art Festival find lodging in another City like Fond Du Lac, rather than having the same two night booking if it was just held the weekend before or after.

I hope the event is well attended - I guess we will just have to see how it plays out.

Susan

NOW THIS IS GOING TO COST MORE MONEY FOR "EVENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES"!!!!!   

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NOTICE OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE 2007-2008 COMMON COUNCIL AT 7:00 P.M., MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

AGENDA

24 – 23 -   An R. C. by Finance recommending entering into contract with Katancha Corporation for event management services for the Roar on Sheboygan’s Shores Motorcycle Rally.

1.   Res. No. 236-07-08 by Ald. Ryan authorizing entering into contract with Katancha Corporation for event management services for the Roar on Sheboygan’s Shores Motorcycle Rally.

Oh c'mon here now -- what the hell is Swisher there for if she can't manage this on her own?  If she can't do that, then we ought not to be doing it in the first dang place. 

This stuff just gets nuttier and nuttier and more and more expensive, too!  I doubt the Chamber of Commerce would have needed "event management services" 'cuz they know what they're doing!

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