Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Marketing & Tourism Commission met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles, Steve Bart, Kevin Yates, Sandi Levell, Ginny Molleck, Susan Bobbitt, Denise Beattie, Carie McIntyre, Kylie Millikin, Jeannie Quick and Alderperson Connor

MEMBERS ABSENT: Ashleigh Hildebrandt, Jim Sniff, Joe Harper, 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 July meeting minutes and asked if there were any changes. No changes. Unanimously approved.

Reports:

2025-2026 Budget

Director Beadles reported the July budget. She discussed income of $1,907.34 from interest and Sweet Corn Festival vendors and expenses to date with dues at $5,500 and Sweet Corn Festival expenses at $2,902.10 for the month of July. Dues are at 100% budget, Promotion at 48% budget and Donations at 30% budget.

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 calendar list. No consensus was needed.

2025 Message Center Update

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

AMP (Advanced Media Partners) Presentation - Mary Benavidez

Mary of AMP radio gave a 30-minute presentation on the benefits of marketing events with AMP radio. She handed commission members folders with information about the company and the stations they have. The newest station is shuffle radio. She discussed AMP Event Marketing. Her presentation identified three areas of interest: 1) increase Chillicothe event awareness, 2) increase foot traffic of local businesses and 3) promote Chillicothe as a destination for tourists. Her solutions were: 1) Enhanced branding with a jingle 2) targeted radio advertising during weather sponsorships 3) reach station listeners within a 40-mile radius. No consensus was taken.

Donation Request - 2025 Grey Ghost Classic Band Competition

Director Beadles read the Grey Ghost Classic Planning Committee sponsorship letter request. The committee spoke highly of the event bringing 3,000 to 5,000 people to town. They asked to review all of the sponsorship levels. Discussion ensued. The committee chose the Ghost level sponsorship that included a 1⁄2 page ad in the Grey Ghost Classic Program, a 30 second commercial to be displayed no less than 5 times and announcement as "Ghost Level Sponsor". A motion to approve the $1,000 sponsorship was made by Kevin and 2nd by Sandi. The motion carried. Director Beadles would report to the Economic Development Committee, send the Illinois Scenic byway video script for the commission to review before September meeting.

Old business:

Top Things to do in Chillicothe by Month - Nothing to report.

Organizations update, event marketing and tourism plans

PACVB - Absent. Director Beadles handed out Discover Peoria's quarterly report and read Ashleigh's email.

Chamber Ginny Molleck reported that the Chamber events are on the website calendar.

Historical Society - Steve reported the Historical Society will meet on Thursday, August 8 at the main museum and the topic would be the 1000 and 1100 block of the East side of 2nd Street.

Chillicothe Park District - Kevin reported the pool closes Saturday. They served 23,000 people in 75 days. Wednesday, August 13th is Coffee at the Clubhouse and CEFCU would be presenting on Scams.

Three Sisters Park - Susan reported the Three Sister Events are on the Calendar and on Facebook.

Blue Ridge Farm - Absent. Director Beadles reported on Jim's behalf that Blue Ridge was working had on the Fall concerts running September 14-October 12. The School Trips will be starting soon at Blue Ridge and Picket fence is celebrating their 4-year anniversary. They have received some grants to help with special needs coaching. Jim sends his appreciation to the community for the support they have received.

IVC - Kylie left the meeting early. No report.

Pearce Community Center - Carie reported Summer Camp and P.O.W.E.R. Camp are concluding and there are some exciting new programs coming up in the near future.

Chillicothe Players Theatre - Denise reported the Mystery Walk - Who Killed the Mayor was coming Saturday, August 9th. Packets would be given out at 10am at the American Legion. The players would walk to local businesses and ask questions to see if they could solve the murder. The players will turn in their playing cards by 3pm. The "Killer" to be unveiled at 3:30pm and winners to be drawn. The Players Theatre is performing "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" on August 21st through 24th at Shore Acres Clubhouse and Denise will be appearing on the Greg and Dan show to promote.

City of Chillicothe

1st Tuesday Business Connection is August 5 at 7:30am.

Sweet Corn Festival was a success despite the delay of the event due to rain. Discover Peoria is working on an attendance report.

The Bike Path is nearing completion. Grading and seeding will take place this week. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planning to take place August 23rd at 1:30pm near the library.

Bradley drainage project is still working. Plans were to be finished before school started but there were issues that delayed the project by a couple of weeks.

In a Your Hometown episode, Sam Matheny of WEEK will be interviewing Chillicothe residents to answer the following questions 1) How long have you lived in Chillicothe?, 2) Why do you love Chillicothe? and 3) What do you do for fun in Chillicothe?

Optimist Club - Optimist Club received a $750 grant their district and donated an additional $500 from bake sale to help Picket Fence. This money will be used to help remodel the ability market. They need volunteers to help on August 13 and 14th at 9am. The Optimist Club has applied for an additional $1,000 matching grant to help Picket Fence with scholarships and training.

Retail (Cool Thingz) - Sandi reported she has seen new people come in to her store and in the downtown

area.

The Commission discussed the meeting time. Director Beadles noted moving forward the meeting would return to 3:30pm.

Summary:

Economic Development Committee Agenda Items: None

Chairperson Actions: None

Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/08.04.2025%20m%20and%20t.pdf