2010 Leadership Retreat

Developing the Road to Success

What this Leadership Retreat is

• A comprehensive planning session to develop a wide-ranging agritourism program for all of Jo Daviess County.

• A summit with key economic development stakeholders in the county.

• A highly tailored open discussion platform to achieve long term agritourism objectives.

What this Leadership Retreat is NOT

• An opportunity to project individual political or lifestyle beliefs.

• A platform for strictly personal gain.

• A chance to criticize other participants or negatively impact the efforts of the group.

Basic Housekeeping• One person speaks at a time.

• All will share ideas in an orderly fashion.

• Questions may be asked to clarify ideas.

• No one may criticize another.

• Ideas may be reviewed to look for common themes.

• Feelings may be expressed. They are not to be sloughed off or denied.

• Discussions are about positions, not personalities.

• No Mobile Interruptions.

• Violators will be banished to the Schoolhouse.

• We are all guests in Sandy’s HOME and her business.

• This is not a public meeting.

• I will make my presentation slide deck available, along with my notes, to the CVB and the Farm Bureau for distribution to press and others.

• The Post-Retreat Report will be available by August 23 and sent to each participant.

• Today we are all in this together.

• When we leave here we will be in agreement and also agree to disagree but we will leave with one voice to LEAD agritourism in Jo Daviess County.

What is Agritourism?

• Agritourism is basically where agriculture meets tourism.

• Farms, ranches, gardens and wineries invite the public onto their property to provide education and experience various agricultural activities.

Why Agritourism?

• Agritourism, one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry, includes visits to working farms, ranches, wineries and agricultural industries.

• Agri-destinations offer a huge variety of entertainment, education, relaxation, outdoor adventures, shopping and dining experiences.

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 1. How viable do you feel an integrated agritourism program is for Jo Daviess County?

• Not Viable 0.0%• Somewhat Viable 7.7%• Viable 46.2%• Very Viable 46.2%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 2. What should the goals be of a Jo Daviess County agritourism program?

• Increased economic development impact in the county. 58.3%• Increased profit for farmers. 50.0%• Educating visitors about agriculture. 66.7%• Other - Morph farming with the "Galena" brand , I don't feel I have

enough knowledge to comment , all the above, conservation of natural resources

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 3. Should Jo Daviess County pursue grant funding for agritourism programs?

• Yes 83.3%

• No 0.0%

• Unsure 16.7%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 4. What plans should Jo Daviess County have for an agritourism program over the next 3 years?

• Expand or diversify visitor agritourism experiences or product. 83.3%

• Reduce agritourism experiences or products. 0.0%• Invest county marketing/economic development dollars in

agritourism. 75.0%• End agritourism as a tourism option. 0.0%• Provide education to agritourism partners. 75.0%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 5. When you think of the future success of the agritourism industry in Jo Daviess County are you

• Pessimistic 0.0%• Neutral 25.0%• Optimistic 75.0%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 6. Should Jo Daviess County develop a permitting process for agritourism businesses?

• Yes 22.2%

• No 77.8%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 7. What facilities for visitors or special events should be considered for the Jo Daviess County agritourism program?

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 8. Should agritourism operators be required to carry additional insurance?

• Yes 58.3%

• No 41.7%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 9. What, if any, of the items below will be difficulties in expanding the agritourism industry in Jo Daviess County? (Check all that apply)

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 10. What are the major challenges individual agritourism operators face?

Very Challenging

Problem

Somewhat Challenging

Not a Problem

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 11. Should Jo Daviess County agritourism operators be able to offer hospitality services such as lodging, food, beverages, hosting services?

• Yes 75.0%• No 0.0%• Sometimes 25.0% - Not a simple Yes or No

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 12. With a comprehensive agritourism program implemented, will Jo Daviess County participating farmers earn more revenue from

• Yes NO• Direct sales of agriculture products 90.0% 10.0%• Tours or field trips 90.9% 9.1%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results• 13. How should a Jo Daviess County agritourism program be

marketed?

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 14. Should the Jo Daviess County agritourism program be promoted on the county website, jodaviess.org?

• Yes 100.0%

• No 0.0%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 15. Should Jo Daviess County agriculture operators offer land use and facilities at no charge to visitors?

• Yes 75.0%• No25.0%• Sometimes – Depends on various situations

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 16. Should agritourism operators be considered basic service members of the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau?

• Yes 50.0%• No 8.3%• Unsure 41.7%

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 17. How important will each of the following goals be in measuring the success of the Jo Daviess County agritourism program?

Pre-Retreat Survey Results

• 18. Would you be willing to serve as a Jo Daviess County Agritourism Ambassador? Responsibilities include recommending agritourism to other farmers, discussing plans for future development with farmers and helping farmers work through development issues.

• Yes 58.3%• No 8.3%• Unsure 33.3%

Two Voices – Agriculture & Tourism

Open Discussion

10 MINUTE BREAK

Work Group Sessions

• Group l: Jo Daviess County Agritourism Branding & Marketing

• Group ll: Product “Cluster” Development—Beyond Wineries – Packaging

•• Group lll: Overcoming Challenges

Lunch & Tour of Oak Hill

Economic Development Presentation:

Bob Skurla, Doug Bergren Jo Daviess County Economic Development Consultants

Work Group ReviewSeeing the Light

• Group l: Jo Daviess County Agritourism Branding & Marketing

• Group ll: Product “Cluster” Development—Beyond Wineries

• Group lll: Overcoming Challenges•

15 MINUTE BREAK

Jo Daviess County Agritourism

Speaking with One Voice

Task Assignments, Scheduling Next Steps & Setting Strategic Planning Session Date

Congratulations