Meet Krystal Westfahl President & Chief Executive Officer, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. If you’ve spent any time in the Minocqua area, chances are you’ve already felt the passion Krystal Westfahl brings to the Northwoods. As President and CEO of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Krystal is the driving force behind the region’s tourism success story—connecting the dots between our charming small towns, breathtaking natural assets, and the visitors who fall in love with them. Krystal leads the charge on all things destination marketing and management for the Hazelhurst, Minocqua, Woodruff, and Arbor Vitae region. Whether she’s collaborating with business owners, meeting with local and state leaders, or spearheading initiatives to draw travelers to the area, she does it all with a strong sense of purpose: to make the Northwoods thrive. Backed by the trust of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Krystal oversees the organization’s strategic vision, ensuring every dollar of room tax revenue is invested wisely to boost tourism, support our business community, and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. She’s also a fierce advocate for innovation and forward-thinking practices in the destination marketing world—making sure the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau remains a leader not just in Wisconsin, but across the industry. Krystal’s leadership style blends big-picture thinking with day-to-day know-how. From guiding her talented team, to shaping long-term plans, to rolling up her sleeves for local events and projects, she’s all-in for the Northwoods. She believes in building strong relationships, taking bold steps, and never losing sight of what makes this place special. Her favorite part of the job? Watching people discover the magic of the Minocqua area for the first time—and knowing she played a role in creating that moment. When she’s not leading the charge at the Visitors Bureau, you might find Krystal enjoying the trails, exploring new ideas with community partners, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Northwoods she proudly calls home.

Meet Barb Wagoner Managing Director, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. Barb Wagoner wears many hats—and she wears them all with dedication, heart, and a touch of Northwoods charm. As Managing Director of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Barb plays a central role in keeping the organization running smoothly while nurturing strong connections with local partners, community leaders, and the broader tourism industry. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau is the official designated destination marketing and management 501-C6 organization representing the towns of Minocqua, Woodruff, and Arbor Vitae. Its mission is to strategically market to visitors for the purpose of fostering conditions for positive economic impact. The Visitors Bureau’s vision is simple and heartfelt: to welcome you into your authentic Northwoods experience. Working closely with the CEO, Barb helps shape the strategic direction of the organization and respond to the ever-changing landscape of the tourism industry. She is instrumental in partner development, internal operations, project and facilities management, and long-term organizational planning. Barb also leads all B2B events, hosts ribbon cuttings to celebrate new and growing businesses, and oversees the beloved Minocqua Farmers Market—bringing people together and supporting the economic and cultural fabric of the community. Behind the scenes, Barb is a master multitasker. From managing team communications and human resources functions to coordinating capital improvement projects and tracking organizational goals, she keeps the day-to-day engine running while always keeping an eye on future growth. Her hands-on approach, sharp attention to detail, and ability to build strong relationships have made her an indispensable part of the Visitors Bureau leadership team. With a professional, confident, and approachable style, Barb brings integrity, insight, and an authentic enthusiasm for tourism development. Her leadership helps ensure that the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau continues to be an industry leader in promoting and protecting the Northwoods experience. When she’s not behind the scenes making things happen, you’ll likely find Barb in the community—networking at a local event, helping vendors set up for the Farmers Market, welcoming a new business, or simply enjoying the beauty of the region she works so hard to support.

Meet Dianna Lang Customer Relations Representative, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. Walk into the Minocqua Area Visitors Center on any given day, and you'll likely be greeted by the warm, welcoming presence of Dianna Lang. As the Visitors Bureau’s Customer Relations Representative, Dianna is more than just the first point of contact—she’s creating lasting impressions and authentic connections with nearly 30,000 walk-in guests each year. With her signature kindness, incredible local knowledge, and genuine interest in people, Dianna turns every visitor interaction into something special. Whether she’s helping guests plan the perfect Northwoods itinerary, handing out maps and recommendations, or solving last-minute travel hiccups with grace, Dianna ensures that everyone feels informed, inspired, and welcomed. But her work extends far beyond the visitor counter. Dianna leads the charge on all sponsorship and outreach calls to area partners, helping to build and maintain the relationships that fuel our region’s vibrant tourism economy. Her ability to connect with people makes her an exceptional ambassador for both our organization and the broader business community. Each summer, Dianna also spearheads the iconic Minocqua Fourth of July Parade, coordinating logistics, wrangling details, and bringing the whole team together to deliver one of the area’s most beloved celebrations. Her steady leadership and collaborative spirit helps turn a complex event into a seamless and festive experience for thousands. Whether she’s greeting guests, supporting sponsored events, or representing the Bureau in the community, Dianna does it all with purpose, pride, and a smile. Her real magic lies in the relationships she builds with visitors, partners, and colleagues alike. If you’ve met Dianna, you’ve felt the hospitality that defines the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. And if you haven’t yet, stop by the Visitors Center. She’ll make you feel right at home.

Meet Kailey Barutha Digital Marketing Manager, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. Behind the scenes of every click, post, and online search that leads travelers to the Northwoods is Kailey Barutha—our go-to expert in all things digital. As Digital Marketing Manager for the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Kailey develops and leads robust digital campaigns that amplify our region’s voice, attract new visitors, and support the businesses that make our communities shine. Kailey’s work covers the full spectrum of digital engagement—from website optimization and social media storytelling to email campaigns and paid advertising strategy. With a clear understanding of how digital behavior translates to real-world tourism impact, she ensures that every post, ad, and landing page is not only on-brand but on-target. Whether she’s crafting monthly email newsletters, curating a content calendar, analyzing SEO data, or designing a targeted Google Ads campaign, Kailey keeps a sharp focus on performance metrics and conversion goals. Her ability to translate insights into action allows the Visitors Bureau to make data-informed decisions that elevate our online presence and deliver meaningful results. Kailey is also a keen collaborator, working alongside the events, sales, and creative teams to ensure a unified message across all platforms. Her natural creativity and eye for detail come through in everything she touches, while her technical skill and strategic mindset keep our digital presence running like a well-oiled machine. From helping potential visitors discover their next Northwoods getaway to promoting local events and seasonal experiences, Kailey’s work plays a crucial role in growing awareness, engagement, and tourism across the region. With a passion for digital innovation and a deep understanding of what draws people to this unique destination, Kailey ensures that the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau continues to meet travelers where they are—online—and inspires them to experience everything our community has to offer.

Meet Sherry Hulett Sports & Group Sales Director, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. When it comes to turning group travel into a powerful economic engine for the Northwoods, Sherry Hulett is the expert behind the scenes—and often in the front row—making it happen. As Sports and Group Sales Director at the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Sherry brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to growing overnight stays through meetings, sporting events, conventions, weddings, and group tours. Sherry works closely with hoteliers, event organizers, athletic groups, and tour operators to bring high-impact gatherings to the Minocqua, Woodruff, and Arbor Vitae area. Whether she's creating detailed proposals, coordinating site visits, or crafting itineraries that showcase the very best of the Northwoods, Sherry ensures that every group experience is not only seamless but unforgettable. With knowledge of local facilities and venues, Sherry leads sales strategy efforts for both convention bookings and sports tourism, focusing on multi-night and multi-spot visits that boost our lodging economy and highlight the versatility of our destination. She's a regular presence at trade shows, industry events, and association marketplaces across the state, actively promoting the area to meeting planners, sports directors, and group tour leaders. From welcome packets to room blocks, Sherry handles every touchpoint with professionalism, creativity, and care. She maintains strong relationships with local athletic organizations and often partners with them to assist in planning tournaments and securing accommodations for traveling teams and fans. Her collaborative spirit, strategic mindset, and warm personality make her a favorite among both community partners and visiting clients. Behind the data, metrics, CRM entries, and sales goals is someone who simply loves connecting people to this special place—and who understands how every event, game, and gathering strengthens our community and economy. With Sherry on board, the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau continues to elevate its presence in the meetings and sports tourism market—making our Northwoods destination not only beautiful, but also brilliantly equipped to host.

Meet Keri Kelley Design and Events Coordinator, Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. If you’ve ever attended a Minocqua-area event and found yourself wowed—whether it was an eye-catching event poster, a seamless flow of activities, or a beautifully designed publication—you’ve likely experienced the creative work of Keri Kelley. As Design and Events Coordinator for the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Keri brings a mix of creativity, organization, and attention to detail to everything she touches. A lifelong Northwoods resident, Keri is the artistic mind behind many of the Bureau’s most visible and high-impact materials, including the official Minocqua Area Destination Guide—a cornerstone of our regional marketing efforts. With a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of what draws visitors to the Northwoods, she ensures that this flagship publication inspires exploration and reflects the best our area has to offer. But her impact doesn’t stop at the design desk. Keri plays a central role in the coordination and promotion of events throughout the tourism zone, including the Visitors Bureau event series and various community celebrations in Minocqua, Woodruff, Arbor Vitae, and Hazelhurst. She works closely with the CEO and Digital Marketing Manager to ensure cohesive marketing campaigns, manage event logistics, and make sure every banner, ad, and social post design tells our compelling story. With experience in project management and a calm, friendly presence even under pressure, Keri is a creative force who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Whether she’s designing promotional materials, wrangling supplies for an event, or collaborating with local partners to make a new idea a reality, Keri’s work helps drive tourism, strengthen community ties, and showcase the magic of the Northwoods. In short: If you’ve seen something beautiful, informative, and perfectly on-brand from the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, it probably has Keri’s fingerprints on it.