Mountain Man Country
The Tourism Board website has visitor information, attractions, destinations, events, lodging information, dining, trip planner and more.
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What is the Lodging Tax?
And who is the Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board?
by Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board
October 8, 2008
The lodging tax is collected on rentals of lodging rooms and campground spaces for under 30 days. The current tax rate is 3%.
The Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board is a joint powers board created by law to administer the use of the monies collected. The Board consists of 5 members, one each from the towns of Big Piney, Marbleton and Pinedale and two appointed by Sublette County. Terms vary from one to three years. Persons interested in serving on the Board may contact their town or county clerks.
"The Mission of the Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board is to fund and oversee the active marketing of travel and tourism throughout Sublette County and to provide grant funding for local programs designed to generate overnight stays."
The use of any funds collected by a lodging tax is regulated by state statute which says it "shall be used to promote travel and tourism within the county, city or town imposing the tax. Expenditures for travel and tourism promotion shall be limited to promotional materials, television and radio advertising, printed advertising, promotion of tours and other specific tourism related objectives, provided that none of these funds shall be spent for capital construction or improvements" (Complete statutes and legal decisions available for review.)
Since its inception following the election in 2000, the Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board has administered more than $933,000 in lodging tax collections. It has contributed approximately $195,000 to Visitor Center expenses (payments directly to the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce and its predecessor, the Pinedale Area Chamber of Commerce have totaled $187,524.02 since 2002). The Tourism Board has long provided funding for summer seasonal staff to assist visitors, shared utility and maintenance costs and contributed to equipment and furnishings purchases.
Over $88,000 has been given to local area organizations for promotion of events such as the Green River Rendezvous, Chuckwagon Days, the Sublette County Fair, Pinedale Half Marathon and many more. These grants are used to encourage out of area visitors to come and stay and enjoy all the recreation and services our communities have to offer. From junior livestock sales to art auctions and rodeos, all kinds of local events are encouraged to take advantage of these advertising dollars.
The current tourism website www.MountainManCountry.com was instituted in 2006 to highlight one of Sublette County’s most unique aspects. The website features a free downloadable brochure to reduce postage costs and appeal to today’s travelers, the majority of whom use the internet to plan their vacations. The companion print brochure includes contact information for all lodging properties, outfitters, attractions, restaurants, shopping and an events calendar.
Print and radio advertising accounts for over 50% of the budget, with both national and regional markets targeted. Magazines such as True West, Outdoor Photographer, SnoWest, American Cowboy and Western Horseman reach large national audiences. Publications such as the Wyoming Travelers Journal, 99 Things to do in Yellowstone Country, Jackson Hole Skier, and Mountain Country are specifically aimed toward travelers coming to Wyoming. Long running ads on Rock Springs and Wyoming Public Radio promote regional travel, both for specific area events and as a reminder of the incredible recreation and scenery Sublette County offers its neighbors.
The Board recognizes the benefit of long-term planning and has supported projects such as the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway - they were instrumental in receiving a $250,000 grant from the National Scenic Byway program for interpretation at the new Sublette County Visitor Center. Several media projects designed to complement the future interpretive program have been sponsored, including the "Discover the Wild" series now showing on PBS television, and a video library is being developed.
The SCJTPB also regularly co-op’s with other tourism promotion organizations including the Wyoming Travel & Tourism Department and neighboring counties, realizing that this gives a bigger bang for the buck and reaches larger audiences than can be afforded alone. Snowmobiling and driving tour brochures, an area map, and an internet banner campaign are among these projects. Representatives participate in various trade shows including the SnoWest snowmobile show and the International Sportsmen’s Expo in Salt Lake City and the Rocky Mountain International Roundup which is focused on the growing international travel trade. Funding has been provided for the Sublette County Outfitter’s booth at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Elk Camp.
Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board Grant Recipients 2002 – 2008
Big Piney Barrel Racing
Big Piney High School
Big Piney Meltdown 3 on 3 Basketball
Big Piney Middle School 8th Grade Class
Chuckwagon Days
Classic Master 4H
Fight Against MS Quilt Show
Fold A Feeder Classic
Fremont Lake Sailing Club
Green River Rendezvous Pageant
Green River Rondy Sled Dog Race
Hat Creek Outfitters Cowgirl Ride
HeArt of Sublette County
Hell Hole Archers
International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
Jason Ray Biathlon Competitor
Let Em’ Turn Barrel Bash
Mountain Man Christmas
Museum of the Mountain Man
Nuclear Whales
Pape Ranch Stewardship Tour
Pinedale Area Chamber of Commerce
Pinedale Blues Fest
Pinedale Boat Club
Pinedale Cowboy Roundup
Pinedale Fine Arts Council
Pinedale Half Marathon
Pinedale High School Rodeo Club
Pinedale Hockey Association
Pinedale Lions Club
Pinedale Recreational Skating
Pinedale Sporting Clays
SAFV Task Force
Sage & Snow Garden Club
Sagebrush Downs Snowcross
Snow Explorers
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce
Sublette County Outfitters
Taylor Dyess Snowcross Racer
Western Wyoming Select Gelding Sale
Wind River Riders 4H Horse Club
Wyoming Senior Winter Games
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