Pictured are, from left, KCCRVC members, John Hall, treasurer; Lyle Schrock, vice-president; Mark Skibowski, president; Matt Metzger, commission member; and Kathy Ray, commission member. InkFreeNews photo by Madison Hart.

By Madison Hart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission called to nonprofits to reach out to the commission for funding opportunities at a meeting Wednesday, July 17.

KCCRVC funding is not required to be related directly to tourism. To read more about grant criteria, visit the website. Cori Humes, executive director of the Commission and Visitors Bureau, offered to help nonprofits with grant-writing if that was a barrier to pursuing funding.

In other business, the KCCRVC heard from Sally Mahnken about the success of two events, Famous Hoosiers: John Wooden and Stories of the Myaamiaki People, hosted by the Oakwood Foundation Inc. Chautauqua-Wawasee. Mahnken said over 100 people attended each event and many came from outside of Kosciusko County. The commission approved the request for funding to renew similar events.

Cori Humes of the CVB updated the council about past and upcoming Visitors Bureau business, including offering a new waterways digital passport challenge, hosting social media influencers and travel writers and awaiting possible tourism from Lake City Skiers’ bid to host the world waterski championship. Humes stated that the new CVB sign saw an increase in visitors and has also resulted in organizations requesting to promote events on the sign. She shared the CVB is pursuing international accreditation with Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, which will require around 120 standards to be met. The CVB has also decided to have The Papers Inc. become the publisher for the Visitors Guide. Humes thanked the commission for funding for new flooring that was installed on July 16.

The commission also:

• Approved the agreement to provide $155,000 to the CCAC over four quarters and have a commission member on the board to review the financials.
• Heard from Vice-President Lyle Schrock who commended Echoes of the Past’s events.

KCCVRVC will next meet on Wednesday, Sept. 11.