MERCER COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BOARD MEETING MINUTES: MARCH 30, 2026

Members Present

Todd Boggess, Phil Lane, Patrice Belcher, Sam Wolford, Ansel Ponder, Jeff Disibbio, Candace Wilson, Grant Bennett, Greg Puckett, Kim Jones-Zoom, Henry Jones-Zoom, Bill Regas-Zoom

Members Absent

Jordan Maynor, Sam Lusk, Susan Williams

Guests

Lyndsay Fruchtl, Alexa Nagy

Staff

Jamie Null-CEO/Director, Karen Morris-Assistant Director, Valerie Hendricks-Community Marketing Manager

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 2:04 PM. Welcome and introductions. The board reviewed and approved the minutes from the February 2026 meeting. The financial report for February 2026 were presented and approved.

New Business

A. New office space update, presented by the CVB Director

Furniture and cubicles are shipping and will be arriving soon. Waiting on quotes for the vinyl signage that will be on the windows. We are working on the retail space. We have applied to be a WV State Parks merchandise vendor and have been approved to use the state tourism office logo trademark. Local crafter/makers will be able to sell merchandise in our space on consignment. Space will be limited and they will need to apply to be a consignment vendor.

B. Digital Relativity 2026 Strategy, Presented by Alexa Nagy:

The 2026 goals are to increase travel guide requests, increase newsletter sign-ups, and increase internal and external partner clicks by optimizing our paid media. Prominent projects for the year include; 2026 marketing plan, campaign strategy and execution, summer co-ops, winter, summer, and fall photo/video shoots, reels content shoots, visitor center plan and designs, and newsletter template redesigns. One plan with three connected campaigns; Things to Do Google search campaign, Uniquely Appalachian campaign, and ATV campaign. Social insights – compared to 2025, Facebook is up-audience grew by 59% and engagement increased by 270%. Instagram is up-audience grew by 12% and impressions increased by 20%. TikTok is up-audience grew by 2.5% and engagement rate increased 1,704%. Visitor Center designs were shown and included frosted vinyl for the windows, white vinyl signs for the doors, a selfie sign and a full color illustration vinyl on the wall behind the selfie sign. Hanging banners, seating, a listening kiosk, moveable walls, and brochure stand are in the overall design but will be implemented according to budget.

B. Pineapple PR 2026 Report, Presented by Lindsay Fruchtl

In January, Mercer County had 783M impressions, editorial value of $21.7M and a quality score of 69%. Monthly writing pitches: Culture and Comfort, Roots & Blooms, Stillness in the Hills, and Analog Adrenaline. Additional writings in Garden & Gun and AP Newswire. In February, Mercer County had 891M impressions, editorial value of &24.7M and a quality score of 67%. Monthly writing pitches: Roots & Blooms Follow-up, Stillness in the Hills Follow-up and Analog Adrenaline. Additional writings in Travel Pulse Spring Travel, Travel Pulse International Women’s Month, and Afar. March media outreach: National Park Week Basecamp, The Ramp Renaissance, The Women Who Built Mercer County, and Millionaire’s Row. Updated targeted outreach to cultural and travel journalists were conducted and an upcoming media visit has been scheduled. Media outreach for April: Waterfall Season is Here: Mercer County’s Hidden Cascades at Peak Flow, Summer Nights, Reimagined: Drive-Ins, Dark Skies, and the Comeback of the Classic Americana, Celebrate America’s 250th the Appalachian Way: Heritage, Grit, and Living History in Mercer County.

Old Business

A. Employee Handbook, CVB Director

The updated employee handbook was discussed and a motion was made to approve. The board unanimously approved.

B. ATV Lodging, CVB Director

Discussion with Hatfield-McCoy Trails about slowing their narrative for needing lodging was unsuccessful. The board is tasked with helping figure out how to convey what the county really needs in place of lodging. A lodging study was brought up, as well as business 101 meetings/classes.

C. Legislative Update, CVB Director

House Bill 5065 has been signed by the governor and will take effect June 12, 2026.

Next Meeting: May 4, 2026
Meeting Adjourned at 3:47 PM

Susan Williams, Secretary
Mercer County CVB Board

Last updated: May 1, 2026