Issue link: http://frankenmuthcvb.uberflip.com/i/1532266
Community R E L A T I O N S 43 Stop & Snap Locations 1,470 Stop & Snap Challenge Downloads 28 Businesses in Christmas Guide 47 Christmas Experience Partners 1,481 Santa Letters 1,225 Santa Postcards Sent 3,659 Christmas Shuttle Riders In 2023-2024 the Frankenmuth Ice Rink opened its doors for its third season on November 20th, 2023 and operated until February 29th, 2024. Building from the success of the first two years, the Frankenmuth CVB saw continued fruits of its investment of the purchase of the entire rink system the year before, an investment that will support the Frankenmuth Christmas Experience for years to come. The third season was very successful, seeing over 17,200 skaters, the third consecutive year welcoming over 17,000 skaters, and selling 439 season passes to locals, our highest number yet. The introduction of concession sales was a hit (bringing in extra revenue), especially hot chocolate, selling over 1,200 cups throughout the season. Just like the first two seasons, this season could not have been possible without the support of our 28 advertising partners, including our premier sponsor Huntington Bank, who has been a premier sponsor since year one. To top off all the success of this season, the Frankenmuth Ice Rink was voted #4 in USA Today's Top 10 Ice Rinks in America, a very cool accolade. In 2023 we celebrated the fourth year of The Frankenmuth Christmas Experience. The original campaign launched in 2020 was designed as a three-year plan to help spread out the events, activities, and experiences of Christmas over time and space throughout the holiday season. The original plan included the Spectacular Christmas Tree (2020), Frankenmuth Ice Rink (2021), and German decoration elements (2022). While there weren't any big new additions in 2023, it was another successful year of Christmas magic. The Christmas committee made the strategic decision to not add anything new, but instead focus on making what we have added thus far even better. We saw an increase in business participation, resulting in an expanded 20-page Christmas Guide, and continued participation in programs such as the Stop & Snap Challenge and Santa Letter Stations. The 2023 season spread Christmas magic and cheer with all of those who celebrated the season with us! As the warm weather came, so did the Egg-Splore Frankenmuth Egg Hunt, back for its 3rd year. This year 33 businesses participated and hid 407 eggs over the 6-day event, both numbers increasing from the previous year! Friday Fun Nights returned for its 12th season, seeing a total of 72 performances by 54 performers/groups over its 15-week run. The generous donations from 29 supporting businesses made this very successful year possible. The Play on the Platz game area also made its return for the 3rd year, giving visitors and locals a place to hang out and play games from May through October. The Frankenmuth Shuttle Service operated for its third year! The expanded program ran every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 14th, 2023 - December 23rd, 2023. Over that course of time it transported 8,279 people. The program's goal is to help open up more parking opportunities and limit the amount of moving vehicles during our busy season. 12 2023