City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Committee met Feb. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Mayor Hughes, Denise Beattie, Nancie Cassidy, Ashley Hildebrant, Carie McIntyre, Kylie Milliken, Jim Sniff, Don White, Kevin Yates, and Joe Harper
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gita Talati, Patty Pierson, Sandi Levell, Alderperson Trish Connor
Public Comment:
Greg Owens and Sarah Sights were in the audience to discuss the Visitors Trifold updates and concern over the removal of some of the businesses. Director Beadles brought the agenda item forward. Director Beadles gave the background to the Trifold Changes along with criteria and changes made at the December M&T meeting. Don and Kevin stated they were not at the meeting. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to review the Visitors Guide, Merchant Guide and the Tourism Retail Guide purpose and criteria at the March M&T meeting.
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.
Report - 2022/2023 Budget Review & Hotel/Motel Revenue
Director Beadles reported $98.07 received in interest. She reported Interest at 3118% and January expenses of $1,776.
Discussion - 2023 Calendar of Events
Director Beadles presented the 2023 Calendar of Events and requested the Commission members to email her any additions. She promoted the Eagle Watch Breakfast, Chocolate Tour, Valentines Steak Dinner at the VFW and the Henry Decoy Show at Three Sisters Park in the upcoming weekend.
February
02 Historical Society presents 140th Birthday Celebration/Program of Johnston McCulley, Chillicothe Public Library
11 Bald Eagle Days-Eagle Watch Breakfast-Shore Acres 7-10am
11 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday & Chamber Chillicothe Chocolate Tour 10-3pm
11 Valentine's Steak Fry-VFW, 5pm
12 Henry Decoy Show - Three Sisters Park
17 Last day for Countdown to Christmas Holiday dollars to be turned in to Chamber of Commerce
20 Free Christian Movie - A Marriage Made in Heaven - Town Theatre, 6pm
March
04 Indoor Triathlon - Pearce Community Center - 8am
10 [CITY] Cemetery Cleanup
11 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe 16-19 Chillicothe Players presents Romance in D - Shore Acres Clubhouse
April
01 Spring Makers Market -Three Sisters Park
08 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday - Retail Businesses on 2nd, 4th and Santa Fe
08 Easter Egg Hunt at City Park - Optimist Club & Downtown Merchants
15 Drew's Plots Fundraiser-Three Sisters Park
25-27 Spring Planting Days - Three Sisters Park (Not open to public. Only open for School Field Trips)
2023-2 Message Center Update
Director Beadles reported the February 2023 Message Center Messages.
Discover Peoria Invoice
Director Beadles passed out copies of the Discover Peoria Invoice with a graduated plan or a yearly plan option. Ashley stated graduated partnerships could be evaluated/revisited at 2 years. She stated the plans were flexible. The Commission discussed options. Ashley stated she would discuss questions with Elle and get back with the committee. Ashley stated the visitors from October to December to the Discover Peoria website was 150,289. Ashley stressed the importance of organizations and businesses submitting events to the Discover Peoria website calendar. Discover Peoria pulls content from the calendar to promote through newsletters, TV promotion through WEEK every Friday and social media. Carie asked if Molly from the Chamber could send this information to the Chamber members. Ashley said she would reach out to Molly.
Consensus of the commission was to review answers and vote via email so the invoice could be sent to the Economic Development Committee Meeting in February.
SWOT Analysis Business & Residential Objectives
Don White presented the objectives for the Business and Residential Growth SWOT analysis. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the commission approved and to send to Economic Development Committee for review and forward to Council for approval.
Kylie, Don, Kevin and Nancie left the meeting.
Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans
PAVCB - Ashley discussed the new 9 guide books. The guide she brought to the meeting "Discover Downtown Peoria" would be stocked at hotels and the Civic Center. "Playing in Peoria" would be stocked at Louisville Slugger. No advertising in the guides. QR code heavy to drive to website. She discussed 7 guide books for each of the 7 counties Discover Peoria represents. She stated Chillicothe would be promoted in the Peoria County guide book. Ashley stated PAVCB were they only organization able to submit into the Enjoy Illinois, state tourism. Summer camp was mentioned as well as Triple Dipple. Ashley submitted the quarterly report.
Chamber - Don left the meeting. No report.
Historical Society - Patti was absent. No report. Director Beadles reported on Patty's behalf the Historical Society would be attending the Eagle Watch Breakfast and hand out flyers on the history of Shore Acres.
Chillicothe Park District - Kevin left the meeting. No report.
Three Sisters Park - Nancie left the meeting. No report.
Blue Ridge Farm - Jim reported the fall concert series was being worked on and would be 3 Sunday's in September and 2 Sundays in October. He reported a Blue Ridge Community Farm fundraising event on March 2nd at the 3300 Willow Knolls Event Center.
IVC-Kylie left the meeting. No report.
Pearce Community Center - Carie reported the 2nd annual indoor Triathlon March 4th at 8am and the upcoming Summer and P.O.W.E.R Camp registrations.
Chillicothe Players Theatre - Denise reported Romance in D running March 16-19, Finding Nemo running June 15-18, The Nerd running August 24-37 and It's a wonderful Life. The Players Theatre is selling season tickets and is looking for 700/800 ft of rehearsal space.
City of Chillicothe - Director Beadles reported the 2024 Holiday Festival had its first meeting and Chill n' Juice had opened.
Retail
Little Land of Candy - Joe reported the Little Land of Candy store was reset.
Cool Thingz - Sandi was absent. No report.
Summary:
Economic Development Agenda Items
Discover Peoria Invoice
SWOT Analysis Tourism, Business & Residential Objectives
Chairperson - Actions
None
https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/2.06.23%20marketing%20and%20tourism.pdf
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