Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Committee met June 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Alderperson Trish Connor, Don White, Sandi Levell, Joe Harper, Nancie Cassidy, Carie McIntyre, Ashley Hildebrant, Jim Sniff, Denise Beattie

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Gita Talati, Mayor Hughes, Kevin Yates, Kylie Milliken, Patty Pierson, Lowell Bennett, Jeannie Quick

The meeting was called to order at 3:30pm Director Beadles distributed copies of the agenda, budgets, events, and message center reports.

Public Comment:

No public comment.

Purpose:

M & T Commission - Purpose

Economic Development Director Beadles read the purpose of the commission. The purpose of the Chillicothe Area Marketing and Tourism Commission is to develop a comprehensive program designed to market the Chillicothe area and promote the growth of tourism within or near the city and submit the program to the city council for recommendation and approval. All programs shall be formulated and maintained by the use of funds received through the city's hotel/motel tax.

2023-2024 Budget

Director Beadles reported the May budget income at $126.90 in interest. She reported Promotion expenditures at 2% with $230 for marketing 2nd Saturday Market in the Chillicothe Hometown Voice. She reported no donation fees were expensed. A question asking if funds from the Entertainment Tax could be used for Marketing and Tourism. Director Beadles stated she would look into it and report back to committee.

2023 Calendar of Events

Director Beadles presented the 2023 Calendar of Events

June

01-5 Brad Wallin Tournament

03 Home Run Festival & Craft Show-Optimist Club-City Park

03 Ride the Rails Passenger Train Ride - City Park, 9am (tickets must be purchased in advance)

03 Shore Acres Pool Opens

07 Summer Celebration - Chillicothe Public Library, 5-7pm

10 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe, 10am

10 Tri2Beat MS Kids Triathlon-Shore Acres

10 Kids Fishing Derby - Peoria Casting Club - 8am-11:30am

11 52nd Annual Chicken Jubilee - Peoria Casting Club - Meal served 11:00am - 2pm

11 Sunrise Yoga - Pearce Community Center & Shore Acres, 8am-8:45am

11 Chicken Jubilee - Peoria Casting Club - 11am

14-17 Chillicothe Days Carnival - Chillicothe

17 Live at the Mill - Still Shine, noon to Midnight

15 Downtown Thursday 2nd Street Market-Pet Parade and Pet Contest

15-18 Chillicothe Players presents Finding Nemo - IVC

24 Cruise In - Silent Auction, DJ, food and prizes - VFW

24 Golf Cart/ATV Pub Crawl - Fireworks fundraiser - Sign up 10:30 Casting Club - $10 per person

July

4 Chillicothe 4th of July Fireworks Display - Three Sisters Park

7-9 Land of Lincoln Border Collies - Three Sisters Park

8 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe, 10am

8 Run for the Health of It-Pearce Community & Fitness Center, 7am

8 Live Entertainment- MixTape Mayhem, The Mill, noon to Midnight

9 Sunrise Yoga - Pearce Community Center - Shore Acres

20 Downtown Thursday 2nd St. Market-Corn Boil

22 Live Entertainment-West MacQueen St., The Mill, noon to Midnight 27-29 City Wide Garage Sales-Chamber

August

4-6 Ledgestone Frisbee Golf Tournament - Three Sisters Park

5 Live Entertainment- Einstein's Baby, The Mill, noon to Midnight

13 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe, 10am

13 Henry-Lacon-Chillicothe (HLC) Canoe and Kayak Jaunt-Chamber

14 IVC District 321 Back to School

19 Live Entertainment-Cousin Eddie, The Mill, noon to Midnight TBD Shore Acres Pool Closes

TBD Sunrise Yoga - Pearce Community Center at Stonewater Park 24 Chillicothe Players presents The Nerd - Shore Acres Clubhouse 26 Live Entertainment- Highway J, The Mill, noon to Midnight

Updates and corrections were given by Commission members.

2023-05 Message Center Update

Director Beadles reported the May 2023 Message Center Messages approved by the ED Committee.

Marketing to New Residents

Director Beadles passed marketing to New Resident list. She requested the Commission review the list and make suggestions and comments. She discussed having something printed for the Chamber Welcome Bag and listed on the Website. Budget was discussed and the funds not used by Bridge to Bridge may be utilized. Don White says the Chamber only needs new residents list, not someone who lives in Chillicothe and moves to another location in Chillicothe. He asked if there is a way to determine only new residents. Joe Harper stated that new residents moving into apartments would be missed as apartments may be under the owner's name and not under the renter's name. Carie McIntyre asked if the Chamber Welcome bags to landlords to pass on to new residents. Discussion ensued and the Commission agreed landlords having welcome bags may be helpful.

SWOT Analysis Objectives Review

Director Beadles will update the Word Documents with the small changes the Economic Development Committee made and send it out to the Commission members for review and approval. She stated she had two objective Word Docs and requested the third from Don White. Don White will highlight the items that are M&T related.

WMBD/WYZZ Summer Advertising Plan

Director Beadles submitted the WMBD advertising sheet to the Commission. The cost of the advertising was $800. Since Washington was the first City to have this happen the Commission requested Director Beadles to reach out to Washington to see how it was handles in their community. Don White said it was sent out to Chamber members.

PAVCB Invoice 2023-2024

Director Beadles presented the PAVCB Invoice. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the commission was to forward to EDC for approval.

Chamber Invoice

Director Beadles presented the Chamber invoice. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the commission was to forward to EDC for approval.

Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans

PAVCB - Ashley Submitted the May report. She reminded the Commission that the calendar was important to keep updated.

Chamber - Don reported on Chillicothe Days was 1 week away. Scott Robbins of WMBD and Jan Blank would be the MCs on Saturday. The 21st annual HLC is August 13th. In 2022 there were 130 participants. There is a group that camps at Henry and have requested to camp at Shore Acres.

Historical Society - Absent. No report

Chillicothe Park District - Absent. No report

Three Sisters Park - Nancie reported Summer Camp went smooth. July 7-9 is the Border Collie event. Blue Ridge Farm - Jim reported Field trips at Blue Ridge Farm has begun. One of their long time and much loved Alpaca passed away. Concert Series will begin September 10th and will run five straight Sundays from 2- 5. This is a free event and donations would be accepted.

IVC - Absent. Summer Break.

Pearce Community Center - Carie reported Summer/Power Camp has kicked off. They have 130 children registered for the program. July 8th is the 30th Annual Run for the Health of It. Masonry is being completed on the roof.

Chillicothe Players Theatre - Absent. No report

Optimist Club - Absent. No report.

City of Chillicothe - Director Beadles reported the City Stage façade and the success of the Chillicothe OLLI

Tour that was held on May 19th.

Retail (Little Land of Candy | Cool Thingz) – Joe reported a busy weekend with the Brad Wallin Tournament. Sandi reported her shop was not too busy that day.

Summary:

Economic Development Agenda Items

PAVCB Invoice

Chamber Invoice

SWOT analysis

Chairperson Actions - None

Meeting adjourned at 4:38pm

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