Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Commission met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Alderperson Trish Connor, Kevin Yates, Jim Sniff, Don White, Denise Beattie, Kylie Milliken, Ashley Hildebrant, Nancie Cassidy, Carie McIntyre

MEMBERS ABSENT: Gita Talati, Mayor Hughes, Joe Harper, Sandi Levell, Patty Pierson, Jeannie Quick

Public Comment:

Purpose:

M & T Commission - Purpose

Economic Development Director Beadles read the commission purpose. 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.

Reports:

2023-2024 Budget

2024 Calendar of Events

2023-02 Message Center Update

Director Beadles distributed and reported on Budget, Calendar of Events and Message Center. Discussion on the budget included income and expenses. Interest budget amount was discussed as interest is higher than in past years. Director Beadles also asked the Commission to review the Calendar of Events and email any additions or changes to her.

February

01 Chillicothe Historical Society Program - Author Bill Engelbrecht - Chillicothe Public Library, 6:00pm

03 LIVE MUSIC - Sarah & the Underground - Chillicothe Public Library, 2pm

03 LIVE MUSIC - The Killer Riffs - Moontower Bar & Grill, 2pm

03 Winter Blast Youth Dance & Dodgeball - Pearce, 7:00-9:00pm

03 Puppy Yoga benefiting Freedom Paws Service Dogs - Chillicothe Park District Operations Facility, 9am-10am

04 Public Breakfast - Peoria Casting Club, 7am

09 Chili Cook Off - Arc at Chillicothe 1028 Hillcrest Drive, 11am-12:30pm

09 Couples Night or Galentines Paint Night - Pearce, 6:30-9:00pm

10 Eagle Watch Breakfast-Shore Acres Clubhouse 7:30am-10:30am

10 Chillicothe 2nd Saturday & Chamber Chillicothe Chocolate Tour 11-3pm

10 LIVE MUSIC - Matt Harms Solo Acoustic - American Legion, 7pm

11 Henry Decoy Show - Three Sisters Park, 8am

11 Super Bowl LVII Tailgate Party - Castaways, 3pm

14 Coffee at the Clubhouse - Shore Acres Clubhouse, 10am-Noon

14 Stuff a Truck - Fire Station #1 - Cuddles with Kindness Fundraiser, 10am

15 American Sign Language 101 - Chillicothe Public Library - 5:30

18 1st Annual Galentine's Day Event - Hunter Rose, 10am

20 Dance Class - Chillicothe Park District, 6:30pm

23 "Eyes" Cream Social - Odies, 6:30pm

24 Karaoke Night - Fundraiser for 4th of July Fireworks - Heather's Wine Nook, 7pm

24 ASL Pop-Up Information Workshop - Chillicothe Public Library, 9:30am

24 Marriage Enrichment Workshop (Chillicothe Christian Church) - Wescott Room above ODG, 12-3pm

26 Paint & Sip - Pearce, 9:00-11:00am

29 Last day for Countdown to Christmas Holiday dollars to be turned in to Chamber of Commerce

March

02 Indoor Triathlon - Pearce Community Center, 8am

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

09 Parent's Night Out - Pearce, 5:00-8:00pm

09 Puzzle Palooza - Shore Acres Clubhouse, 7pm-9pm

09 LIVE MUSIC-Off the Cuff - American Legion, 7pm

10 Java Flow Yoga - Shore Acres Park, 1pm

15 Windy City Dueling Pianos - Three Sisters Park, 7-10pm

TBA Spring Rummage Sale-First United Methodist Church

30 Easter Egg Roundup at City Park - Optimist Club & Downtown Merchants, 10am

30 Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt - Historic Downtown Chamber Businesses, 10am

April

01-30 Light it up Purple Gift of Hope Tissue and Organ donation Month

04-07 Chillicothe Players Theater - Suicide, Inc. - Shore Acres Clubhouse

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

08-12 [CITY] Chillicothe Cemetery Cleanup Days

13 Spring Makers Market -Three Sisters Park, 9am-3pm

20 Spring Loose Drew's Plots Fundraiser-Three Sisters Park

20 Drews Plots Disc Golf - Three Sisters Park, 9am

TBD Lawnmower Clinic Fundraiser-IVC Band Boosters, 8am-noon

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

TBD Spring Fling Youth Dance & Dodgeball for 4th-6th graders-Pearce Community Center, 7-9pm

TBD IVC Athletic Booster 2023 Golf Outing - Arrowhead Country Club, 12pm

TBD Autism Awareness Event- CCFDD Fire Station #1 at 217 Chestnut Street, 12-3pm

TBD Tyke Hike Seeds & Soil-Coal Hollow, 10am

25-27 Spring Planting Days - Three Sisters Park (Not open to public. Only open for School Field Trips)

TBD Earth Day at the Library, Chillicothe Public Library, 3:45-5pm

TBD Pancake and Sausage Breakfast-George Washington Masonic Lodge, 7-11

2024-2025 Budget review

Director Beadles reviewed the budget with the Commission. Marketing expenses and funding suggestions were discussed such as the potential need for Social Media marketing expenses, moving Discover Peoria's and Illinois Scenic Byways dues to the budget and moving the fireworks donation request general fund. No consensus was taken at this time.

Tourism Retail Guide

Director Beadles shared the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce guide. She discussed the need for the guide to include Lacon and Henry. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to create a marketing piece closer to the tri-fold visitors guide.

Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans

PACVB - Ashley reported Discover Peoria is now staffed at 4.5 since Elle Benway's departure. She said they are actively working on the website calendar issues. In March the WEEK segments are returning. Discover Peoria is looking for a dynamic personality to run the live segments. Cities landing pages will be updated in April. She stated if Chillicothe has an current video to send to her to add to the Chillicothe Landing page. Chamber - Don reported the Chocolate Tour would be this coming Saturday along with the Eagle Watch Breakfast

Historical Society - Absent. Director Beadles reported they've created a GoFundMe to fundraising to paint repair the Depot

Chillicothe Park District - Kevin had to leave early. He left a flyer for the Windy City Dueling pianos happening in March.

Three Sisters Park - Nancie reported the Henry Duck Decoy show would be taking place on February 11th from 8am-2pm. She stated Dan Sarver was running that event.

Blue Ridge Farm - Absent, no report.

IVC-Absent, no report.

Pearce Community Center - Carie reported 2023 statistics: check-ins have increased to 14k-15k per month. Summer Camp had 150 participants. The Run had 140 participants. She reported 159 new members for January and Saturday basketball games are seeing upwards of 600 people.

Chillicothe Players Theatre - Denise reported April 11-14 Suicide Incorporated would be playing with an all- male cast, June Shrek Jr, July World Premier event and in the fall a Halloween or Christmas play would take place. She reported awards night went well.

City of Chillicothe - Director Beadles reported a New Business - Miracle Ear 226 N Fourth Street Ste D and shared Havana (population 2,905) - Reimaging their community and are doing a great job with promoting their renovations and new businesses in their historic downtown.

Optimist Club - Absent, no report.

Retail (Little Land of Candy | Cool Thingz) - Director Beadles read Little Land of Candy's update.

Summary:

Economic Development Agenda Items: None

Chairperson Actions: None

Meeting adjourned at 4:36pm

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/02.05.24%20mt%20minutes.pdf