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Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 24, 2025 @ 11:00 AM
Dacotah Bank Center
Present: Advisory Board Members: Nick Schmeichel, Melisa Yager, Elena McKeown, Jennifer
Johnson, Jeff Holm, Kyleigh Cramer, Laura Schoen Carbonneau
City of Brookings Staff: Paul Briseno, Kristen Zimmerman
Dacotah Bank Center Staff: Ashley Biggar, Lisa Robinson, Cody Pohlen, Kayla Gullickson
OVG Corporate Staff: Anna Rosburg
Agenda Discussions:
• Jeff called the meeting to order.
• February minutes were approved.
• Ashley provided strategic updates on Dacotah Bank Center operations and staffing. The
Marketing Manager position remains frozen, with efforts focused on utilizing part-time
staff and cross-training full-time staff to maintain operational efficiency.
• Ashley reviewed recent and upcoming bookings.
• Lisa and Ashley provided a financial overview for March 2025. The month-end variance
to budget was -$29,182, primarily due to lower ticket sales and fewer bookings. Year-to-
date variance to budget is -$49,723, with countermeasures including savings in
indirects helping offset the gap.
• Ashley reviewed the updated 2025 rolling forecast. The projected variance has
improved to -$112K (from -$175K). Contributing factors include:
• Continued staff and marketing freezes
• Global partnerships revenue projections ($402K–$420K)
• Ongoing cost-cutting strategies targeting only critical needs
• Capital projects were reviewed:
• Lighting and security upgrades have been completed
• Window and chiller upgrades are nearing completion
• Restroom renovations have moved into the contractor selection phase following
RFP closure
• Ashley provided a quick update on Partnerships & Community.
• “Engagement in Action” was highlighted, with a mission of enhancing life through
diverse, impactful events. Efforts continue on:
• Event recruitment and revenue opportunities for meetings, weddings, galas, and
facility partnerships.
• Upcoming events:
• Brookings Economic Summit: April 29, 2025
• CASA Fire & Ice Gala & Auction: May 9, 2025
• Cole Swindell: September 25, 2025
• Next meetings scheduled for May 28, 2025, at 3:00 PM and June 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
• Jeff adjourned the meeting.