South Central Reporter

City of Centralia Tourism Commission met Nov. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Tom Kasten at 3:30 pm. Members present for the meeting included Becky Ault, Leila Crain, Sonya Germann, Tom Kasten, and Ian Presswood.

Absent: Rob Jackson, Julie Dunbar Myers, Cathy Stuehmeier, and Tom Walsh

Ex-Officio members present were Rose Aldag-McVey, Economic Development Director, and Dan Ramey, City Manager.

Public Comment: None

Sonya Germann was warmly welcomed back to the Commission.

Approval of the Minutes: A motion was made by Presswood and second by Ault to approve the October 16, 2018 minutes as presented, all in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: In Walsh’s absence, Aldag-McVey reported the balance of the tourism account at $30,195.57 as of 10/31/18. Aldag-McVey reported she had visited Queen City Motel otherwise known as Midtown/Gateway East Hospitality and hand delivered a letter requesting records. Germann motioned to approve the treasurers report as presented and Ault second, all in favor, motion carried.

Old Business:

The summer video, as prepared by IllinoiSouth, was viewed and no further changes were requested except the removal of boat races. Videos are for SeeCentralia website and for display during events such as the Centralia Home, Garden, & Business Expo. The 2019 annual calendar of Festivals and events was shared with the group; Crain requested events of the Cultural Society also be shared with the community. Aldag-McVey indicated additional community events will continue to be shared through social media and SeeCentralia’s website, once the City is notified of such events.

A draft of the annual tourism brochure was distributed. The cover and overall appearance was appreciated. Changes requested include the elimination of most narrative descriptions, increase image sizes, and add websites.

A pull up banner at 33”x85” printed with the same image as that of the 2019 brochure at $175 was discussed. The Committee felt the banner would be useful at the February 16 and 17, 2019 Chamber Home, Business, and Garden Expo. Committee members will host the booth where the four Centralia videos will be on a rolling television display. Members will staff the booth. Door prizes will be offered, attendee information gathered will be used for brochure mailings and email blasts about events. The committee felt it may be beneficial to promote local eateries and hotels by their offering door prizes to their local establishment, also discussed was the possibility of an Orphan basket prize.

Aldag-McVey reported she had asked Public Works to review maintenance at the Amtrak station.

An ad was placed in the Shopper’s Weekly welcoming attendees to the Fall Festival and Halloween Parade from Centralia Tourism Commission and encouraged visiting www.SeeCentralia.com.

New Business:

The Centralia Restaurant Guide was reviewed. It is highly used by Best Western Plus and at the Amtrak station. It was recommended to add telephone numbers of restaurants, remove the map, and have a similar look as the events brochure.

Germann moved and Presswood second a motion to approve the proposed tourism budget for 2019 as distributed, all in favor, motion carried. The group was interested in having changing displays in the City Hall window which faces Locust Street but does not have a recommendation on how the process would work.

Upcoming events which promotes tourism were discussed as, Fantasy of Lights which opens November 21 and ends December 31; Christmas Stroll which is November 30. Crain reviewed various activities supported by the Cultural Society: Holiday Festival of the Arts with Handbells, Choral Society, and Philharmonic Orchestra on December 2 at 1:45pm; and Christmas Tree Sales lot November 24 – December 24. The Kaskaskia College Holiday Choir Concert will be November 29 7-8pm.

Discussion:

Germann shared the addition of a seasonal kid’s activity book as part of Illinois South Tourism, the current edition includes the Centralia Fantasy of Lights and is sponsored by the Centralia Recreation Center.

The Commission’s historical review of a trolley for tourism transportation within Centralia was reviewed with Ramey.

The City of Centralia public service announcement which promotes Eat, Play, Shop Centralia and indicates the general merchandise sales tax savings by shopping in Centralia was reviewed. The group recommended adding the sales tax savings information to the See Centralia website.

Additional options discussed to promote tourism and conventions were as follows: incorporate a touch screen which indicates restaurants, shopping, etc. at the Amtrak station; add a digital billboard promoting festivals and events at the Amtrak station area; add a touch screen which indicates restaurants, shopping, etc. at Best Western Plus; add digital billboards promoting festivals and events at the four corners of the business district; and add digital billboards promoting festivals and events south of town at golf/Industrial Park area.

A photo of the group wearing their Tourism vest/jersey for the website was postponed to a later meeting when more members are in attendance.

There will be no December meeting.

Adjournment: A motion was made by Presswood and second by Germann to adjourn the meeting, all in favor, motion carried.

https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/November_20_2018.pdf