MERCER COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BOARD MEETING MINUTES: JUNE 16, 2025

Members Present

Patrice Belcher, Sam Wolford, Henry Jones, Kim Jones, Ansel Ponder, Jeff Disibbio, Grant Bennett, Greg Puckett-Zoom, Susan Williams-Zoom, Todd Boggess-Zoom, Sam Lusk-Zoom

Members Absent

Justin Maynor, Phil Lane, Donna Lowe, Candace Wilson, Bill Regas

Guests

Cat Grygiel

Staff

Jamie Null, Karen Morris, Valerie Hendricks, Emma Mullins

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM. Welcome and introductions. The board reviewed and approved the minutes from the February 2025 meeting. The treasurer presented the financial report. Board approved the financials. A recent audit review for 2024 was completed with no discrepancies. The board voted to pursue annual reviews for the next three years to maintain financial compliance. Form 990 is prepared and pending board review prior to filing.

Old Business

A. Pineapple PR Updates

Cat Grygiel, with Pineapple PR, presented the year-to-date media results of 4.8 billion impressions and $134 million in editorial value with a 74% quality score. Spring pitching emphasized outdoor adventure, culinary and cultural features, including themed campaigns: Spring Awakening, Bird Watching Bliss, Gateway to Adventure, and Waterfall Wonders. Pineapple will continue with the emphasis on Mercer County as a certified arts community and an adventure base near the New River Gorge. Media and Influencer visits confirmed are Barbara Kennedy (BBC/Washington Post/National Geographic) for a summer culture and arts tour and Emily Moore via the WV Tourism Creators Initiative. Nedra McDaniel (Adventure Mom) has been to Mercer County and featured local attractions in her article that was syndicated on MSN. There will also be representatives to attend a Travel Media Meetup in Washington, D.C.

B. Digital Relativities Update

The CVB Director stated that the website redesign is underway and is being led by Emma Mullins. The update will include 300+ partner listings with new images, alt text, and descriptions and a new media room is being developed. ATV and outdoor-focused digital campaigns are showing high performance with 62,000 ATV campaign clicks, 24,000 Facebook clicks, 55,000 impressions and 3,905 clicks from Google’s “Things to Do” , and female voiceovers are testing better with the target audience. Website users increased 104.7% year-over-year, sessions up 90%, On-site partner clicks up 28%, New visitor guide requests increased 20%, newsletter signups decreased due to changing user behavior, and the top visited pages include: ATV’s, Outdoor Recreation, Calendar/Events, and Lake Shawnee.

New Business

A. CEO/Director’s Report

Despite a $500 Facebook/Instagram ad campaign, partner newsletter yielded zero signups. Continuing challenge to engage new businesses that do not identify as tourism adjacent. Improved messaging and outreach is planned. The Brushcreek Holler Mountain Coaster project is nearing completion: awaiting two inspections from the West Virginia labor board. The final touched including signage and landscaping are in progress. Local residents have begun trial rides and media coordination will proceed upon full readiness.

B. Community Marketing Manager’s Report

Approximately 500 direct visitor guide requests were through the CVB’s website, 16 cases of guides were sent to state welcome centers and 30 cases of visitor guides were delivered to local hotel and restaurants. The mobile visitor center participated in Thrive Outside in Bedford, VA and USA Cycling Pro Road Nationals in Charleston, WV. The Charleston event had a $4.9 million economic impact. Upcoming events include Pipestem Car Show, Railroad Days, Burke’s Garden, and Bridge Day. The focus remains on meeting visitors where they are.

C. Staffing and Board Updates

New hires include: Emma Mullins, website support, and Bryson Fanning, event and weekend staff. Board changes are as follows: Ansel Ponder promoted to interim president, Susan Williams and Donna Lowe rejoined the board, Sam Wolford and Jordan Maynor joined to represent the Bluefield and Mercer County EDA’s respectively and Kitt McCarthy resigned.

Next Meeting: August 2025
Meeting Adjourned

Ansel Ponder, Secretary
Mercer County CVB Board

Last updated: April 28, 2026