Newsletter July 23, 2026

Josh Rudelbach, Keith Lewis, Former Minden Rotary President Graham Rogney, Current President Pat Garrahan and Michelle Valdovinos

 

DIRECT OVERNIGHT VISITOR SPENDING EXCEEDED $115 MILLION IN THE CARSON VALLEY IN 2025
 
Visit Carson Valley - the local organization in charge of promoting the Carson Valley and tracking data on visitors to our area has been very busy planning, analyzing data, travelling to trade shows and marketing the Carson Valley.  Executive Director Keith Lewis, Destination Marketing & Data Strategist Josh Rudelbach and Destination Engagement Coordinator Michelle Valdovinos shared with the Minden Rotary Club that "Tourism Matters" - 175,000 overnight visitors in 2025 resulted in an average of $666 per overnight visitor.  Daytime visitors also help the local economy - but is less quantifiable. 
 
Tourism in our area has changed.  It used to be that the general traveler to the greater Reno Tahoe area would come to sit in a casino and gamble.  Now they come to get out and see the outdoor recreation area.  This has created a need for regional partnerships with Visit Lake Tahoe, Reno-Tahoe, Visit Carson City, Virginia City and Lake Tahoe Travel. 
 
Other updates included:
  1. The Dust and Wonder Trail - Travel NV gave a $600k grant for a cultural corridor between Virginia City, Carson City and the Carson Valley. This money will be spent on an Interpretive Railroad.  A local artist is creating 12 foot spikes which will be located throughout the three areas.  Each spike will have a single word on it - in English and other languages and a QR code to help you find the other spikes.
  2. Filming - over 1000 hotel nights were just part of the economic impact of the filming of the Casa Grande movie in Genoa.  Wrangler recently filmed commercials at Wally's Hot Springs.  Film NV has created a 1 hour 15 minute video about how Genoa is a great place to film Western movies.
  3. Local Partnerships include advertising for the Minden Tahoe Skyfest, KOLO Channel 8 regular feature on "What to do in the Valley" and work with regional content creators for events and local food offerings.
  4. Blog & Itineraries on the website have been very popular.  Have you ever wondered what to do with your own visiting guests?  The ready made itineraries can play out your whole day!
  5. Tourism sales - direct flights from Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago and (starting in August) Nashville, have been a focus for advertising and discussions with tour groups.  Tour buses from Reno can bring in 50 visitors per bus.  Work is also being done with Yosemite and Lake Tahoe tour buses to spend a day in the Carson Valley as part of the package.
Visit Carson Valley will organize the Ferris 50 Endurance Run for a second year on November 7th of 2026.  This year participants will be able to choose from a 50 mile run, 50k, 15k, or a 1.5k youth race.  This is expected to bring in 100 runners and their families.  For more information on the race or Visit Carson Valley, go to www.visitcarsonvalley.org.

July 30 - Jordy Foster - Nutrition in DC Schools

     Note:  Oktoberfest meeting at 10:30am (before the meeting)

August 6 - Jerry Bucklin - NES Systems

     Note:  Foundation Board meeting immediately after the meeting

August 13 - Eric Jessen - Medical Research

August 20 - Dave Bianchi - Polio Plus

August 27 - Millie Siebel - Golf Tournament Recap

July 24-26, 30-31 and August 1-2 “A Piece of My Heart”, Carson Valley Community Theatre.  Tickets and show times at www.carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org

July 31 - Genoa Wine Walk, The Genoa Gallery

August 1, 11am-2pm - Young at Heart Summer BBQ.  Fundraiser for Senior Programs.  Tickets $10 presale or $15 at the door.  Live Music, raffle, outdoor games.

August 4 - New member meeting

August 27 - Club social at Aces baseball game. They play the River Cats. Tickets behind home plate are $75.

August 28 - Hotdogs at Minden Concerts in the Park - 2 shifts each time, 4-6P and 6-8P.

August 28 and 29 Rotary Youth Exchange Orientation in Minden and Gardnerville - Zach is looking for host families for two nights.  12 exchange kids will be coming into town for orientation.  August 28th they will join us at the Minden Concert in the Park.  August 29th they will attend orientation at the DC Community Center and then head to Lake Tahoe for some Beach time.

September 18 - Hotdogs at Minden Concerts in the Park - 2 shifts each time, 4-6P and 6-8P.

September 19 - Rotary Club Minden's Oktoberfest @ Heritage Park

October 10 - Chili Cook Off/ Fundraiser - Graham is looking for chili recipes

October 10 - Karaoke Cookout for CV Magic- 4pm in Genoa

October 28 - Rotary Night at the Knight Monsters at the Tahoe Blue Events Center

December 17 - Minden Rotary Club Christmas Holiday party

2027

February 14 - Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Spring - Smash Hunger Fundraiser

May 15 - Minden Rotary Club Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

AUGUST

BIRTHDAYS

4- Bruce Borggreve (Jill's husband)

14 - Leah Casper (Ric's wife)

 

ANNIVERSARIES

  7 - John and Judy Breylinger

  14 - Ric and Leah Casper

25 - Zach and Holly Fretz
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