WCOW Marketing Meeting Notes  1/2/26
Hosted by: Township 23 Distillery, Nelson WI
Marketing Leads: Sam (Township Distillery) Miranda (Stockholm Haus) and Kim (Lavender Bluff)
Website: Amy Backman (amyb@birchconsultingco.com)
Socials: Emily Krumm
Photo/Videography: Erin Higgins (eringracehiggins@gmail.com)

🎉A new year means new opportunities for WCOW, the first discussion was our name.
Suggested DBA: WisCoast  (A DBA means no changing in bylaws, simply adding a “Doing Business As” all bylaws stay in place. To be confirmed by Sue.
- Trademark is availabl

Suggested Mottos: (Adding a motto / tag line will help others understand who we are).
1.  “Where Work, Play, and Community Come Together.”
2. “Where Work, Play, and Community Connect”
3. “Bringing Work, Play, and Community Together”
4. “Connecting Work, Play, and Community”

🖥️ Website Updates:
Soft Launch  - Jan 15 (Amy)
Hard Launch - March 31 (Amy)
(Press, Social Media Launch with all members for hard launch)
Use Kim’s PR company to help (need extra $$ for this)

🚨Website Needs from ALL members by Jan 10:
- Better quality photos from each business
- Meet the Owner Photos w/ 2-3 specialties on how to help other members 
- Asterisk for WCOW Members in business line up
- Insider tone w/ best practices
- Blog content w/ specific wording (SEO) from members
- Update websites and add SEO

📰Outreach / Communications:
WisCoast Communications “What’s Happening” Newsletter (Amy)
Monthly emails during off-season
Weekly emails during season (members benefit with placement and highlighted products) 

Do you need social media reels or help understanding Instagram + TikTok? Emily Krumm is local to Pepin, Wi and is available w/ special ala carte pricing for members.  Contact Emily and get your business thriving: 763-242-2958 

Membership Drive:
- All agreed, it's better to have more members for less cost.
- Promote the area for all businesses, pay-to-play for members
- Mike, Steve and Aaron will start connecting with new businesses after Jan 10.
Steve, Mike, Denise and Amy will finalize the membership costs and add-ons.

📅Upcoming Events (Mark your calendar)

❄️WinterFest Feb 7 at Camp Pepin
Saturday 1-6pm
$5 donation
Community Event
Lavender Farm Lavender Hot Chocolate
Mercantile Coffee (to send a cart)

Upcoming Marketing Meeting (online)
Feb 15 Marketing Meeting  

Upcoming Marketing Workshop:
Next in-person marketing workshop at Stockholm Haus. Focus is specifically on website and social media SEO. June 2, 2026

Upcoming Member Socials:
Up for grabs, please let Miranda know if you’d like to host any of the following socials, all members are asked to bring a savory dish to share and BYOB. We have three member socials each year. 

1. Summer Kick-Off party (Late May / Early June) 

2. Autumn Smorgasbord (October) 

3. New Year Party (January)
   
   **If any member wants to host a business / marketing workshop, please let us know!
   

Itineraries / Content Focus/ Reels for Social Media (Work in process)
2 x  per month

Jan 16 -  Where to Stay (Cozy Winter Stays in the Driftless Region) Emily
Stockholm Haus, Marina Retreat, Mary’s places, Samakya Cabins, Birchwood etc…

Feb 1 - Nature Inspired Reel  (Winter Activities) BNOX Becky + Emily
(Reach out to Mike for more hidden gems in Maiden Rock)
Snowmobile (119 miles in Pepin County)
Ice Skate on Lake Pepin/ Camp Pepin / Pickle Factory?
Cross Country Skiing (On Lake or Maiden Rock Preserve)
Outdoor Fireplace (Use an Airbnb)
Sauna at Journey Inn
Hot Chocolate (Leah Sheldon -Mercantile)

Feb 7 - WinterFest Collab

March 1 - Cabin Fever / Road Trip to West Coast of Wisconsin #1 
(Coffee, Hike, Dinner, Drinks, Stay) 

March 14 - Cabin Fever / Road Trip to West Coast of Wisconsin #2
(Journey Inn?)

April 1 - Guys Trip
Hike, Canoe, Golf, Sailing, Distillery /  Emily + Mercantile Mike

April 14 - Springtime (New Member Spotlight)

May 1 -  Lavender Cocktail Trail / Kim + Emily

May 15 - Food + Drinks Experience Reel / Sam + Emily

June 1 - Life on the Water / Lake Pepin - Emily, Marina Retreat Marya + Pickle Factory Paul

June 5,6,7 - Fresh Art Tour 
(Need businesses who are participating so we can best support you)

June 14 - Shopping along Bay City, Maiden Rock, Stockholm, Pepin, Nelson

July 1 - 4th of July / Family Experience

July 14 - Emily - Perfect Girls Trip (Yoga, Wine, Chef Shack, Dancing at RiverTime) 

July 18  - Emily - Follow business owners set-up for Stockholm Art Fair
(Need to know which businesses are going to have a booth at the fair and will be busy in Stockholm)

August 1 - Steve + Miranda - Weddings / Venues TBD

August 14 - Perfect Date Night Experience - Emily w/ local models
**Need a vacation rental

Sept 1 - Emily - Great River Road Wine Trail 

Sept 14 - Emily - Hidden Gems of the Lake Pepin region.

🚨Reminders:  

• When you post to socials, please TAG WestCoastofWisconsin so that we can easily repost your information. Tag more businesses that align with you so that we can all share information! 
  
  

• Please SHARE when paid influencers are coming to your place, this is a great opportunity to collaborate with the right business and share costs!
  
  

• SHOP LOCAL and support each other's businesses!