City of Centralia Tourism Commission met Feb. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
The meeting was called to order by Tom Kasten at 3:30 pm.
Roll Call: Members present for the meeting included Rob Jackson, Tom Kasten, and Tom Walsh.
Absent: Becky Ault, Leila Crain, Sonya Germann, Julie Dunbar Myers, Cathy Stuehmeier, and Ian Presswood.
Advisory staff present: Rose Aldag-McVey, Economic Development Director
Public Comment: None
Approval of the Minutes: None due to lack of a quorum
Treasurer’s Report: Walsh reported the balance of the tourism account at $31,227.21 as of 1/31/19. Old Business:
The 2019 event brochure was distributed, and members were encouraged to distribute during their travels and interactions with local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Fifteen thousand were printed; IllinoiSouth and Centralia Chamber were each given approximately 2,000 for distribution. Aldag-McVey has distributed throughout Centralia including Amtrak station, hotels, restaurants, Recreation Complex, Historical Museum, Centralia Township office, and South Central Transit.
Many thanks to Walsh, Crain, Kasten, Ault, Jackson, Aldag-McVey, Germann, and Kala Lambert for promoting Centralia in the Tourism booth at the Chamber of Commerce’s Home, Business, and Garden Expo. The booth included a video photo montages of parks, recreation, events, and activities found in Centralia; all shown on a 60-inch television lent by Rent One. Two drawings were offered consisting of two tickets to Elmwood Speaks and dinner for two at Centralia House. The booth also included a SeeCentralia six-foot banner, literature and items supplied by IllinoiSouth.
Using empty store front windows to promote Centralia events were discussed with a two-fold positive outcome, 1) improve City appearance and detract from fact the building is empty or appears so, and 2) promote local activities and events. Jackson will discuss with Cultural Society, Walsh will discuss with Kaskaskia College, and Aldag-McVey will review with City officials.
Committee member group photo is postponed until a later date when all members are present.
The purchase of a used trolley was discussed; potential uses include area events as the Halloween Parade, Christmas Stroll, Locust Street fair, Celebrate Centralia, Veterans Parade, Elmwood Speaks, the Fantasy of Lights at Foundation Park, as well as other tours in relation to people coming in from the railroad station, class reunions, museum events, possibly even an economic development tool for businesses considering locating in our city, for medical doctors taking a ride with their spouses as they are considering whether to locate here.
Planting and maintaining planters/beds at the railroad crossings at Broadway and at Fifth Street, and planters throughout the downtown area were discussed. Clinton County FFA plants the bed near the airplane in Fairview Park. Kasten will speak with FFA at Christ Our Rock and FFA at Centralia High School about maintaining beds.
Tourism will participate with Locust Street Fair by opening City Hall and providing tours 10 am -2 pm on May 4.
New Business:
IllinoiSouth 2019 Visitors Guide was distributed, 130,000 were printed, 30,000 are polybagged with St. Louis magazine and the rest are distributed by IllinoiSouth throughout 23 southern Illinois counties and beyond. The Guide included Tourism’s SeeCentralia ad promoting annual events along with pages outlining Centralia features, activities and event.
Open Meeting Act training is encouraged for each member, online links will be provided at the next meeting. An Economic Interest Statement is required annually of each Commission member and will be distributed at the next meeting.
Upcoming events were discussed, these are shared on SeeCentralia website and Facebook page along with IllinoiSouth and others.
Discussion:
Aldag-McVey spoke before SINA on February 7 and discussed activities of the Tourism Commission, coverage was in The Shopper and Centralia Sentinel.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/2-_February_19_2019_Tourism_Commission_Minutes.pdf
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