LaPorte County CVB approves one-year rollover with RWO; staff highlight early-year marketing and events

The LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau board approved a one-year rollover extension of its multi-year marketing contract with RWO during its Feb. 24 meeting, and staff provided updates on early-year finances, marketing partnerships and event planning.

Jack, a bureau staff member, told the board the RWO contract is essentially a rollover of last year's agreement and that Laura had updated only the dates. He said the fee structure remains unchanged and that, as discussed in the packet, the total is $125,000 to be paid in three installments. After a motion by Adam Nisney and a second by Rich Granarosa, the board voted in favor and the motion carried. The transcript records the outcome as "motion carries" but does not include a roll-call tally for yes, no or abstain votes.

The board also received provisional financial documents for January 2026 because the external staff member who prepares official financials was unavailable due to a family medical issue, Gail (staff) said. Gail presented a balance sheet and profit-and-loss summary for January and told members that certain entries are timing or closing entries rather than cash expenditures; she pointed specifically to a $21,611.91 NITDC liability that will be amortized over time and to front-loaded advertising and technology payments that push early-year expenses above monthly budget lines.

Brett, reporting on heads-and-beds data, said state distribution for January 2026 is "up 16% over 2025," while cautioning some of the increase reflects catch-up collections from delinquent properties. Brett also said the treasurer's office had notified delinquent property owners that they must become current by March or face lien procedures and that a 10% late-payment penalty is now in effect.

Marketing staff circulated the annual Orchards/Farms/Gardens brochure (10,000 printed) and described recent placements including a quarter-page ad in the Indiana Festival Guide and radio/digital spots with ESPN 1000 Chicago; staff said they will evaluate results from those buys. Staff also reiterated a newly negotiated relationship with Regent Sports Network to broaden live-event coverage and said the bureau will provide a fuller update next month.

Event planning for the bureau's signature race week and related activities was a separate focus: staff described a multi-day schedule including a community appreciation event, golf outing, brew fest and VIP tent, and noted the bureau has reserved a flyover of World War II planes for certain events. Organizers said a proposed drone show depends on sponsorship commitments.

The meeting closed with community announcements — including distribution of Urban League of Northwest Indiana scholarship information — and a reminder that the board's next regular meeting is March 24, 2026. The board adjourned with no further formal action recorded.