• Commission of 9 members appointed by The Board of Commissioners of Wells County, The Wells County Council, the Mayor of the City of Bluffton, and The Ossian Town Board.

  • Ordinance 2022-30 An Ordinance Establishing A Commission to Promote Development and Growth of The Convention, Recreation, and Visitor Industry in Wells County, IN

  • The Commission meets on a regular basis and operate in accordance to requirements provided by Indiana Code 6-9-18 and Wells County Council Ordinance No. 2022-25

  • 2025 Meetings are held at 8 a.m. in the Wells County Convention and Visitor Commission

    (* note date change due to Holiday)

    2025 Dates

    *January 8

    February 5

    March 12th

    April 2

    May 7

    June 4

    July 2

    August 6

    September 3

    October 1

    November 5

    December 3


The Wells County Convention and Visitor Commission

A group of nine people, including five men and four women, posing in a warmly decorated room with a fireplace, framed artwork, and holiday greenery.

Audry Dudley, Jay Esparza, Zane Herr, Brandy Fiechter

Michelle Blount, Steve Higgins, Scott Elzey, Justin Osborn,

Not Pictured: Jon Winne, Jeff Reed, Rod Fetters (resumed term for Jay Esparza in 2025)

Appointments & Terms
Application for Board Appointment
Infographic showing Indiana tourism economic impact data for Wells County, including visitor spending of 5.3 million dollars, total economic impact of 2.4 million dollars, supporting 63 jobs, and generating 600,000 dollars in taxes for state and local governments.

Economic Impact


2023


2022

Innkeepers Tax

Wells County Ordinance 2022-25 IC 6-9-18 imposes a 5% tax on the gross retail income derived from lodging income for those engaged in business of renting or furnishing for periods of less than 30 days any room or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations in any commercial hotel, motel, inn, tourism cap or tourist cabin located in Wells County. These should be reported on form approved by Wells County Treasurer and paid monthly no more than 20 days after the end of the month the tax is collected.

With these funds the Wells County Convention and Tourism Commission hopes to champion Visitor Economy by providing resources valuable to Wells County visitor assets engaged in lodging, conventions, event venues, public events, dining, recreation & leisure etc. The Commission highly values the input of it’s tourism partners as we continue to invest in and support the visitor experience here in Wells County.

Innkeepers Tax Form

Studies

  • Ball State University

    2019

    From Bland to Brand:

    Wells County and its Tourism and Leisure Potential

  • Machester University

    2016

    Exploring Tourism Opportunities

    in Wells County Indiana