Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Commission met July 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Alderperson Tim White, Ashleigh Hildebrandt, Steve Bart, Kevin Yates, Sandi Level, Jim Sniff, Ginny Molleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Bobbitt, Denise Beattie, Joe Harper, Carie McIntyre, Kylie Millikin, Jeannie Quick, Charlie Rusk, Mayor Hughes

Public Comment:

None

Purpose:

M & T Commission - Purpose

Director Beadles read the Commission Purpose.

Approve Previous Minutes

Director Beadles distributed the June meeting minutes and asked if there were any changes. No changes. Unanimously approved.

Reports:

2025-2026 Budget

Director Beadles reported the June budget. She discussed income and expenses to date. She presented the Invoice for Discover Peoria. Consensus was to forward to Economic Development Committee for approval to pay.

2025 Calendar of Events

The commission reviewed the July calendar of events. Additional event items were noted. Director Beadles to update events on City's website list. No consensus was needed.

2025 Message Center Update

Director Beadles presented the Message Center updates. No consensus was needed.

Illinois River Road Scenic Byway Presentation

Kaci Hampton of Illinois River Road Scenic Byway gave a presentation to the commission on the benefits of being a member. She stated that the Illinois River Road is an all-volunteer board. The purpose of IRRSB was to promote and encourage tourism along the Illinois River. There are 150 miles and 10 counties. The byway runs from Canton to Ottawa. This is their 20th anniversary. Press release for the 20th anniversary will be forthcoming. She stated the Illinois River pulls communities together. As a community partner the byway promotes via website, video, robust social media (7,100 reach), digital marketing, print marketing, promote at tradeshows (communities can send printed pieces for them to take to trade show). They are promoting Spots to Stop and that is gaining good traction. They are looking at updating signage.

Old business:

Sweet Corn Festival - Director Beadles presented information on the Sweet Corn Festival on July 19th and passed out flyers.

Peoria County - Bison-tennial art project - Director Beadles over 1,000 have joined the Bison Trek to view the 40 bisons.

Top Things to do in Chillicothe by Month - No update

Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans

PACVB – Ashley – Discussed June Promotions with 6 blogs that included Chillicothe, Events on Tap weekly emails included Triple Dipple and Library, Fireworks/Three Sisters. WEEK news segment. Placer.ai - Ashley and staff can gather information on how many people attended-report for May 31-July 1

Chamber - Ginny - Successful carnival despite closing for the rain on Wednesday. Vendors had intense heat & closed early. Good crowd. City Wide Garage Sale at the end of the month. Annual HLC is August 10th

Historical Society - Steve - Train Depot will be open for the Sweet Corn Festival. Sandy the horse will be available for rides weather permitting. Main museum and depot were toured by Pearce kids.

Chillicothe Park District - The pool has had 15k visitors and 460 people per day. The pool is aging and needs $75,000 to get updated and 7M to rebuild/replace the bath house. Splash Pad is 15 years old. Plans to review where attendance are coming from and where they go. Summer programs: Disc golf, swim lessons, Christmas in July-Wednesday, July 16, pool party/special events. Party in the park has been rescheduled for August. BBQ event is planned for fall.

Three Sisters Park - Absent, no report. Director Beadles reported a successful 4th of July event. That committee could use volunteers on the 4rd and 5th for set up and clean up.

Blue Ridge Farm - Jim - Field Trips to Blue Ridge have slowed down. They will ramp back up in fall. Grain Bin for sales and merchandise has been moved. September 14-October will be the Fall Concerts on Sunday. Open to the public. Corn Crib project is working. This will provide cover for the bands. When school starts buses will come to the farm. Blue Ridge has served 25-30k kids since 2003. Picket Fence is doing fine. They are training special needs for employment. They won 3 viewers choice awards. Jim thanked the community.

IVC-Absent. No report.

Pearce Community Center - Absent. No report. Director Beadles reported Run for the Health of It and 35th Anniversary Celebration happening on July 12th.

Chillicothe Players Theatre - Absent. Director Beadles reported they are working on the 2nd Street Murder Mystery on August 9th and tickets are on sale for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest for August 21-24.

City of Chillicothe - Bike Path complete, working on posting signs. Currently the City is working on governing the trail. One suggestion was to use yard signs to keep motorized vehicles off of the trail.

Optimist Club - Absent. No report.

Retail (Cool Thingz) - Sandi reported that a lot of people have been visiting from out of town. She said it may be due to Sweet Fids and Triple Dipple. The Hair Company has being seeing new people.

Other

Director Beadles distributed the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training handouts and requested Commission members to review and sign.

Meeting Time

Director Beadles asked members of the commission if they would be willing to hold the meeting at 4pm to accommodate people getting off work. Discussion Ensued. The consensus of the committee was to move the August meeting to 4pm and revisit in 3 months. It was also request to see if a video option could take place.

Summary:

Economic Development Committee Agenda Items:

Approve - Discover Peoria invoice

Chairperson - Actions: None

Meeting adjourned at 4:45pm

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/07.07.2025%20m%20and%20t.pdf