9 minute read
Meet The People Behind Our Local Community Business Associations
Door County’s Community Business Associations play an integral role in the destination experience and helping to share the stories and opportunities within their respective communities. As front-line tourism organizations, they also provide valuable services and promotional opportunities for the businesses and organizations they serve, in addition to providing residents and visitors with a wide variety of events to attend throughout the year. Destination Door County supports, partners, and collaborates with all of the community business associations to help Door County be the best it can be.
So many of the wonderful things that happen and are available in Door County have something in common: they take people to manage/operate/happen. In addition to the people that volunteer in community visitor centers, at events or with a variety of other community functions, several individuals have dedicated themselves to their communities by working for our local Community Business Associations. Their efforts help Door County continue to thrive and move forward.
Baileys Harbor Community Association. 920-839-2366 or www.baileysharbor.com
Cynde Ploor - Baileys Harbor Community Coordinator/Destination Director
Cynde manages day to day operations at the visitor center along with planning events in Baileys Harbor. Some of the events she manages are Farmers Markets, Yoga in the park, Blessing of the Fleet, Independence Day celebrations and Autumn Fest.
Baileys Harbor is the Lake Michigan shore destination that ensures you’ll find the peace and quiet you need to kick back and relax! Hike trails through the nearly 6000 acres of public land at places like the Ridges Sanctuary and Toft Point, sit by the shore and enjoy spectacular sunrises and cool breezes. Take to the water to reel in a world class salmon or trout! Discover our rich maritime heritage in 4 of Door County’s 11 lighthouses or kayak over shipwrecks. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty of tee times, zip line adventures and beautiful bicycle routes. Savor world class wines or cold, locally crafted brews served with a side of music, taste truly fresh fish, and know you’ll always be eating local at the many fine dining establishments in Baileys Harbor.
Door County North (Ellison Bay/Gills Rock/Rowleys Bay)
Door County North. 920-854-5448 or www.doorcountynorth.org
Mickie Rasch - Community Coordinator
Mickie’s responsibilities include whatever needs done, essentially executive director, (bookkeeping, financials, and all federal & state compliance association) in addition to membership, special events, social media, website, advertising, PR, outreach.
Vickie Bartolini - Membership and Special Projects
Vickie helps maintain membership information, update guides, writes and produces their monthly b2c and b2b e-newsletter, special events.
Denise Fuller - Welcome Center Manager/Staff
Denise keeps the “hut” running, orders what’s needed from paperboy, maintains tracking of visitors and types of interests, newsletter sign up, poster kiosk.
Roselyn Krapf - Welcome Center Staff
Discover Carlsville. www.carlsvilledoorcounty.com
Clustered along Highway 42 between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor, Carlsville is small in size but big in spirit. A stop in Carlsville offers a lot of fun, a little history, and something for the whole family. Find multiple wineries including Door County’s oldest and Door County’s original Distillery. Visit Door County’s original coffee roastery. Shop, sniff, and dip handmade candles. Camp for the night and enjoy waterslides or grab a bite at a restaurant. Whether a quick stop or a whole day, there’s plenty to see in Carlsville.
In addition to knowing our area, Roselyn is full of history. She first experienced Door County as a result of attending Camp Zion. Uncrowded and relaxed, explore scenic pathways that lead to welcoming small town life, pristine parks, master artists’ studios, and waterfront dining. Stay in a resort or charming cabin, and explore these very pet and bike friendly communities. Kayak the Mink River Estuary which is as pristine as the days when the Potawatomi lived there. Hike the trails at Newport State Park or visit the park at night to experience the stars in Wisconsin’s first International Designated (IDA) “Dark Sky Park”. Celebrate in every season with annual special events. Leave the “to do” list at home, breathe, and find yourself here.
Egg Harbor Business Association. 920-868-3717 or www.eggharbordoorcounty.org
Alyssa Rasmusson - Marketing & Events Director
Alyssa manages the day-to-day operations of the Egg Harbor Welcome Center as well as the marketing and event planning for the community. She plans and directs events such as Concerts in the Park, Independence Day Celebration, Farmers Markets and Pumpkin Patch.
A leisurely stroll along the village’s downtown streets enchants the eye with galleries, shops and restaurants. Full of coastal charm with a state-of-the-art marina and beautiful sandy beach. Add in acclaimed performing arts and renowned galleries to the pristine scenery, and you have a spot you just don’t want to miss. Cherry orchards, apple orchards, farm markets, and festivals. There’s plenty to love about this small town. Egg Harbor… peaceful, unspoiled and delightfully small town.
Fish Creek Civic Association. 920-868-2316 or www.visitfishcreek.com
Sara Lancaster – Membership & Office Manager
Sara works to support and strengthen the Fish Creek business community by fostering positive relationships with member business and prospective members, as well as identifying and nurturing partnerships with other area organizations. She also helps oversee the day-to-day operations of the Fish Creek Visitor Information Center and serves as the administrative liaison for VFC.
Mel Ripp - Marketing Consultant
Mel helps the Fish Creek business community tell its story through written content, including social media and member/visitor newsletters. A Door County native who moved back to the peninsula in Fall 2021, Mel is the owner of Peapod Marketing & PR Consulting, a full-service marketing and communications firm.
Trissa Crowley and Karen Buhk — Visitor Information Specialists
Ephraim Business Council. 920-854-4989 or www.ephraim-doorcounty.com
Lane Methner – Tourism Administrator
Kelsey Stone – Marketing & Events Coordinator
Settled in 1853 by Norwegian Moravians, Ephraim’s rich heritage has been carefully preserved over the years in various historical sites throughout the village. Ephraim’s charm and nostalgic vibe are highlighted by its beautiful and active shoreline. Whether you choose to golf, boat, jet ski, paddle board, sail, parasail, kayak, swim, or lounge at the beach there is no better place to experience Door County than Eagle Harbor. With truly stunning panoramic views of Peninsula State Park and mesmerizing sunsets, Ephraim is authentic Door County at its best.
Trissa and Karen help visitors find their way around town, a place to stay for the night, activities to fill their day, a reservation for dinner or provide answers to any other number of questions Fish Creek visitors may have. They play an integral role in helping the thousands of people who visit Fish Creek create positive and memorable experiences.
Located in the heart of Door County, this year-round destination offers an authentic blend of breathtaking scenery and memorable experiences. Fish Creek is home to a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants, shops, galleries, and activities for all ages, nestled in a historic waterfront village. As the gateway to Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek provides endless opportunities for exploring the beauty of Door County. Whether this is your first visit or you are a seasoned guest, Fish Creek will leave you with lasting memories, no matter what time of year you visit.
Sister Bay Advancement Association. 920-854-2812 or www.sisterbay.com
Jacksonport Area Business Association. 920-823-2404 or www.jacksonport.net
Cheryl Brady – Community Coordinator
Sandy beaches, quaint shops, cozy cottages and some of the county’s most scenic shoreline parks combine to make the Jacksonport area a don’t miss part of the full Door County experience. Lakeside Park, located on Highway 57 in the heart of the community, offers a great beach for swimming, with picnic facilities, restrooms and a children’s play area. Shops, restaurants, and groceries are within walking distance. Just north of town, Meridian Park lies halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Two of the great parks in Door County are located just a few miles south of Jacksonport - Cave Point Park and Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Louise Howson – Community Coordinator
Ellie Soderberg-Guger – Marketing Director
Experience our glorious waterfront playground with swimming, boating, fishing and loads of family fun. Just steps away visit our vibrant restaurant, shopping, and music scene. Our lively and diverse restaurant and bar scene make Sister Bay Door County’s dining and nightlife destination. You can find free live music every night of the week at many of our local eating spots and weekly Concerts at Waterfront Pavilion. You’ll make the perfect “find” at any one of our collections of unique shops and galleries downtown and in The Country Walk Shops. All of this is accented by natural beauty, fabulous sunsets and an open, welcoming community.
Destination Sturgeon Bay. 920-743-6246 or www.sturgeonbay.net
Southern Door Business Association. www.southerndoorcounty.com
Stay and play year-round in Southern Door County where you’ll enjoy a vast array of outdoor activities and events. Hike and bike the Ahnapee Trail or canoe and kayak the Ahnapee River. Explore the area on our ATV routes. Cast a line in the waters of Green Bay for some of the best catches in the Midwest. With 8 county parks, a state park, miles of trails and public beaches, filling your family’s memory bank has never been easier. Explore and enjoy the endless array of natural beauty that makes Southern Door the “hidden treasure” of rural and unaltered vistas that Door County is known for.
Cameryn Ehlers-Kwaterski – Executive Director
Rachel Malcore – Marketing Coordinator
Andrea Buboltz – Events Director
Rosella Trotter – Member & Guest Relations Director
Sturgeon Bay’s door is always open so that you can enjoy your favorite Door County anything, any day of the year! Fast becoming a foodie paradise, and always known for our fabulous waterfront shopping districts, Sturgeon Bay has the vibe of cool, gritty and DC classic. Sturgeon Bay’s extensive waterfront is the perfect playground for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating or just hanging out. Add to that live music, professional theater, museums, lighthouses and some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets you’ll ever see, Sturgeon Bay has it all.
Washington Island Chamber of Commerce. 920-847-2179 or www.washingtonisland.com
Washington Island is Door County’s only year-round island community and the largest of Door County’s thirty-four islands with over 35 beautiful square miles and over 100 miles of roads to explore and enjoy. Your journey to Washington Island begins as you drive or walk onto the ferry and enjoy a scenic five mile route over crystal blue waters with views of the surrounding islands, rocky shores and lush forests. Our Island provides an experience that blends unique family-owned shops, eateries and lodging with a cornucopia of museums, music and theatre events and festivals on a backdrop of beautiful parks and breathtaking beaches.
Destination Door County is proud to partner with the Peninsula Pulse in 2023 to sponsor Server of the Week. The hard work and enthusiasm that each and every person who serves our residents and visitors puts into their front-line jobs is sincerely
Destination Door County Sta Directory appreciated. This Server of the Week recognition is a small way for us all to say thank you, and each weekly winner receives a $50 Door County Gift Certificate. Want to nominate someone for Server of the Week? Email info@ppulse.com.
Destination Door County is fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals working on behalf of residents, businesses and organizations for the benefit and advancement of Door County. Here is the talented team.
Destination Door County 1015 Green Bay Road • P O Box 406 • Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Web: DoorCounty.com
• Email: info@doorcounty.com
Phone: 920-743-4456
• Toll-free: 1-800-527-3529
Proudly serving Door County for 139 years (1884-2023)
Become a DDC Partner today at DoorCounty.com/partnership
Phil Berndt Director of Advocacy 920.818.1136 Direct phil@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Partnership benefits, or the J1 Visa/Bridge USA Program.
Julie Gilbert President / CEO 920.818.1131 DIRECT julie@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Organizational goals and objectives, our talented team, our board of directors, the Door County Tourism Zone Commission and our engagement with municipal governments.
Hunter Malvitz Destination Specialist (seasonal) hunter@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Door County visitor questions.
Michelle Rasmusson Director of Strategy & Research 920.818.1132 DIRECT michelle@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Analytics, industry trends, strategic planning, or data interpretation.
Laura Bradley Director of Marketing & Sales 920.818.1137 DIRECT laurab@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Paid media campaigns, Co-op advertising, setting up a group tour, and social media.
Jon Jarosh Chief Communications Officer 920.818.1133 DIRECT jon@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Media relations, communications strategies, local advocacy efforts.
Whitney Meza Social Media Specialist whitney@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Social media or our influencer program.
Jennifer Rogers Senior Media Relations Manager 920.818.1134 DIRECT jen@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Press trips, earned media marketing or hosting a mixer or DDC event.
Elizabeth Charney Marketing & Sales Assistant elizabeth@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Group and meeting sales assistance, marketing support
Laura Lloyd Destination Specialist (seasonal) laura@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Door County visitor questions.
Pat Nash Director of Visitor Services pat@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Purchasing gift certificates, getting publications to your home or business, or checking on the stock of your business’s material in our Welcome Center.
Morgan Rusnak Community Engagement Manager 920.818.1138 Direct morgan@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Leave No Trace, applying for an EV Charger Mini-Grant, or working with your non-profit organization.
Amy DeMeter Administrative Assistant amy@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Gift certificate reimbursement, updating your contact information, or paying your invoice.
Cathy Lynch Publications & Support Services Manager 920.818.1135 DIRECT cathy@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Updating your directory listings on DoorCounty.com and TravelWisconsin.com, how to participate in publications, adding your event to our calendar, or solving issues with your vacancy calendar.
Brittany Nemeth Destination Specialist brittany@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: Door County visitor questions.
Yvonne Torres Senior Director of Finance & Operations 920.818.1139 DIRECT yvonne@doorcounty.com
Ask me about: the Municipal Reimbursement Program and Strategic Community Partnership funds.