Nebraska Administrative Code Topic - TOURISM COMMISSION
1) Organization and Duties of the Nebraska Tourism Commission (Title 295, NAC)
Case: Composition and Appointment of Members
The Tourism Commission is composed of members appointed by the Governor:
Members are selected from various sectors of the tourism industry, such as lodging, attractions, and travel services.
Appointments typically have fixed terms (e.g., three years) to ensure continuity.
Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Purpose: Ensures representation from diverse tourism sectors, fostering well-rounded decisions about state tourism policy.
Case: Duties of the Commission
The Commission’s primary responsibilities include:
Developing a statewide tourism marketing plan.
Administering tourism-related grants and funding programs.
Promoting Nebraska as a travel destination domestically and internationally.
This formalizes the Commission’s role as both a policy-making and operational body for tourism promotion.
2) Marketing and Promotion Programs (295 NAC 1-002)
Case: Grant Funding for Tourism Promotion
The Commission can allocate grants to:
Local tourism bureaus or visitor centers for advertising campaigns.
Festivals, events, or cultural programs that attract tourists.
Innovative digital or media campaigns to increase visibility of Nebraska destinations.
Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate that funds will be used to directly promote tourism and provide measurable outcomes such as visitor attendance or revenue.
Case: Co-op Marketing Programs
The Commission may participate in cooperative marketing programs:
Partnering with private businesses or regional tourism offices.
Sharing the costs of campaigns to increase exposure while managing budgets.
This ensures smaller organizations can leverage state resources to reach wider audiences.
3) Tourism Development Grants (295 NAC 1-003)
Case: Infrastructure and Facility Grants
Grants may be provided to improve or develop tourism infrastructure:
Examples include visitor centers, trails, museums, or interpretive signage.
Projects must demonstrate long-term benefits to tourism and local economic impact.
Approval Process: Applications are reviewed by staff, scored against criteria such as potential visitors served, project sustainability, and alignment with state tourism goals.
Case: Event and Festival Support
Grants may also fund events that attract visitors, such as:
Annual state fairs, cultural festivals, or sports tournaments.
Costs can include marketing, venue rentals, or event logistics.
This encourages tourism-related economic activity in communities across Nebraska.
4) Tourism Research and Data Collection (295 NAC 1-004)
Case: Visitor Surveys and Statistics
The Commission is tasked with collecting and analyzing tourism data:
Visitor numbers, lodging occupancy rates, and economic impact studies.
Surveys may track traveler origin, spending patterns, and satisfaction.
Purpose: Provides evidence-based insights to guide marketing strategies, funding allocations, and policy decisions.
Case: Annual Tourism Report
Based on collected data, the Commission produces an annual tourism report:
Summarizes trends, economic impact, and effectiveness of marketing programs.
Used by legislators, tourism partners, and economic development agencies.
This ensures transparency and accountability in tourism promotion efforts.
5) Regulations for Tourism-Related Advertising (295 NAC 1-005)
Case: Use of State Branding
All tourism advertising funded or produced by the Commission must:
Adhere to state-approved logos, slogans, and branding guidelines.
Ensure consistency in messaging across print, digital, and broadcast media.
Case: Ethical Marketing Practices
Tourism campaigns must:
Avoid misleading claims about destinations or attractions.
Accurately represent services, pricing, and amenities.
This protects both consumers and the state’s reputation while promoting Nebraska effectively.
6) Contracting and Partnership Guidelines (295 NAC 1-006)
Case: Contracts with Marketing Agencies
The Commission may enter contracts with private marketing firms or media companies:
Contracts must include performance measures to assess outcomes.
Agencies are selected through competitive bidding to ensure transparency.
Case: Collaboration with Local Governments
Local communities may partner with the Commission for tourism development:
Joint projects may include regional advertising, visitor centers, or festivals.
Funding or support is contingent on demonstrating community benefit and alignment with statewide tourism strategy.
This ensures efficient use of public funds while promoting tourism locally and statewide.
7) Evaluation and Compliance (295 NAC 1-007)
Case: Monitoring Grant Recipients
The Commission monitors tourism grant recipients to ensure funds are used appropriately:
Recipients must submit reports detailing spending, results, and visitor metrics.
Failure to comply can result in funding suspension or repayment.
Case: Program Evaluation
The Commission periodically reviews programs and initiatives:
Evaluates marketing effectiveness, grant impact, and overall return on investment.
Adjusts programs based on data to maximize tourism growth and economic benefit.
This ensures accountability and continuous improvement in tourism programs.
Summary
The Nebraska Tourism Commission is governed by administrative code that outlines:
Commission structure and member duties – appointments, representation, and policy oversight.
Marketing and promotion programs – grants, co-op marketing, and event promotion.
Tourism development grants – infrastructure, facilities, and events support.
Tourism research and data collection – surveys, economic studies, and annual reporting.
Advertising regulations – branding consistency and ethical marketing.
Contracts and partnerships – with private agencies and local governments.
Evaluation and compliance – monitoring grant recipients and assessing program effectiveness.
Together, these provisions ensure that Nebraska’s tourism industry is strategically promoted, financially accountable, and economically impactful, while supporting local communities and statewide development.
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