--- title: Website Review Meeting — October 2025 type: article created: '2026-04-05' updated: '2026-04-05' source_docs: - raw/2025-10-09-vcedc-website-meeting-93167960.md tags: - vcedc - website - meeting - design - content layer: 2 client_source: Vilas County Economic Development industry_context: nonprofit transferable: false --- # Website Review Meeting — October 2025 Page-by-page walkthrough of the VCEDC website redesign progress. Attendees reviewed the staging environment together, resolved outstanding content questions, and identified remaining assets needed before the developer can complete the build. **Attendees:** Melissa Cusumano (Asymmetric), Kathy Schmitz (VCEDC) **Also invited (not present):** Tracy Pilsner, Isalia Ramirez --- ## Overview The meeting covered every major page of the redesign in sequence. Most pages are in good shape or have clear paths to resolution. The About Us page requires the most significant structural rework due to a large volume of new copy provided by Kathy. Several image placeholders remain open pending Kathy's delivery. Site launch is targeting December, which prompted a side discussion about swapping in winter photography before go-live. --- ## Key Decisions ### About Us Page — Layout Approach Kathy provided substantially expanded copy for the About Us page. Rather than redesigning the page structure entirely, the team agreed to: - **Keep** the existing mission and vision statements at the top - **Add** all new copy below in a new section (page will grow in length) - **Remove** the duplicate "business support" banner section (already present on the homepage) - **Relocate** Vanessa's lake photo — consider moving it lower on the page or to another page - Spell out the full organization name ("Vilas County Economic Development Corporation") in the new copy section Melissa will hold off on sending About Us updates to the developer until the layout is confirmed. ### Events Page — Show Upcoming and Recent Events The current Events page only shows upcoming events, which will leave the page empty during gaps in programming (Kathy has surgery in November; no programming in December). Decision: update the page heading and logic to **"Upcoming and Recent Events"** so past events can fill the page when nothing is scheduled. ### Donate Page — Replace Bank Check Photo Kathy flagged that the current donation photo features a specific bank's check. VCEDC receives donations from four different banks in Vilas County and cannot appear to favor one. Decision: replace the image. Kathy is leaning toward a **township photo** to broaden geographic representation. She will source this from her personal photo files. ### Resources Page Banner — Placeholder in Place The original visual was moved to another page. A solid green placeholder banner is currently in place. Kathy will provide a replacement image; no deadline set yet given her upcoming vacation. ### Contact Page Photo Kathy is shooting a new headshot photo at 4 PM the same day as this meeting (on her dock, good afternoon light). This will replace the current contact page photo. ### Homepage — Tagline and Quote Order - New tagline "Your key to Vilas County Growth" was pulled from the AI site draft; Kathy flagged she may want to revise it after reviewing the AI site again - Quote order has been rearranged — both parties agreed it reads better - Duplicate photo replaced with a photo of a young girl on a dock ### Business Expansion Page Existing image retained — text overlay reads "How can you help us create a stronger Northwoods economy. Donate now." Both Melissa and Kathy agreed it works and no change is needed. ### Broadband Page Existing image (person with laptop by a lake) confirmed as correct and intentional. No changes needed. ### Video Replacement A video of Kathy's late horse is currently on the site. Kathy wants to replace it but needs to review the available video library to choose a replacement that provides geographic representation across the county (e.g., Land O'Lakes area). Kathy will select from videos previously sent to Melissa and Tracy. ### Footer Image The footer image can be consistent across all pages — Melissa noted this is standard practice. --- ## Action Items | Owner | Item | |---|---| | **Kathy** | Provide new Resources page banner image | | **Kathy** | Send contact page headshot (photo shoot same day, 4 PM) | | **Kathy** | Source and provide replacement image for Donate page (no bank check; consider township photo) | | **Kathy** | Select replacement video from existing library (geographic representation in mind) | | **Kathy** | Review full site after returning from vacation (week of return: Monday/Tuesday) | | **Kathy** | Revisit homepage tagline against AI site draft | | **Melissa** | Hold About Us updates — do not send to developer yet | | **Melissa** | Send all other updated images and content to developer to begin building | | **Melissa** | Update Events page to display "Upcoming and Recent Events" | | **Melissa** | Review Donate page copy and layout in detail | | **Melissa** | Review News & Insights page — banner photo and article images likely need replacement | | **Developer** | Can begin building all pages except About Us once updated assets are received | --- ## Page-by-Page Status | Page | Status | Blocker | |---|---|---| | Homepage | ✅ Ready to build | Tagline may be revised by Kathy | | About Us | 🔴 Hold | Layout rework needed; new copy to be integrated | | Leadership | ✅ No changes | — | | Remote Working | ✅ Updated | Duplicate photo replaced | | Resources | 🟡 Placeholder | Kathy to provide banner image | | Contact | 🟡 Waiting on asset | Kathy headshot (same-day photo shoot) | | Broadband | ✅ Confirmed | — | | Business Expansion | ✅ No changes | — | | Donate | 🟡 Needs review | Replace bank check photo; full copy review needed | | News & Insights | 🟡 Needs review | Banner and article images likely need replacement | | Events | 🟡 Logic change needed | Update to show upcoming + recent events | | Annual Reports | 🟡 Needs review | Footer images to be updated | --- ## Notes - Kathy is on vacation the week following this meeting. She will review the site and address open items the week she returns. - Site is targeting a **December launch** — Kathy noted she has a collection of winter photos and will send a few for consideration before go-live, since the county draws visitors for snowmobiling and Christmas shopping. - Melissa noted that new photos have **not yet been sent to the developer** — she was waiting for this review call to confirm everything before passing assets along. --- ## Related - [[wiki/clients/current/vcedc/_index]]