City of Centralia Tourism Commission met Aug. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. CALL TO ORDER- Roach, Chair 5:06PM
II. ROLL CALL
__X__ Jessiycka Nix Coleman __X__ Mary Davis
_____ Sonya Germann _____ Rob Jackson
__X__ Rae Ann Quidgeon ___X_ Melissa Ray Roach
__X__ Mike Schroeder _____ Robert “Spanky” Smith
__X__ Tom Walsh
Ex-Officio Members
_____ Open, City Manager
_____ Marcus Holland, Chamber of Commerce Director
__X__ Advisory Staff -Derek Sherman, Asst City Manager/ Economic Development Director
Others Present: Terri Finn & Launa Shaw representatives from the Cultural Society & specifically the Elmwood Speaks Committee
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. The representatives from the Cultural Society are seeking a sponsorship from the city of Centralia to help cover the increased costs for the golf cart rentals. COVID-19 has made it difficult to raise funds and has increased the costs of the event. Additionally, the popularity of the event has grown, which has necessitated the need for more golf carts. The representatives kindly asked for a sponsorship of $500.00. The Tourism Commission recommended Derek bring the sponsorship to the City Council.
IV. MINUTES –
July 20, 2021 1st Quidgeon 2nd Coleman
V. TREASURER’S REPORT – Walsh 1st Schroeder 2nd Quidgeon
VI. ONGOING BUSINESS
1. T-Mobile Hometown Grant – Amtrak
i. No Updates
2. Community Photo Contest – Spring
i. Will be posted for Fall
3. Review of ILSouth Spring/Summer Tourism Times
i. No Updates (Need to remove)
4. Review of ILSouth Visitors Guide
i. No Updates (Need to remove)
5. Volunteers to take photo
i. It was suggested to invite Pat Hodges to the next meeting to better plan for his photo services. Derek was recommended to ask Pat to send him the five best photos from each event he attends, so city staff doesn’t have to review all the photos taken.
6. ILSouth Tourism Video Contents
i. We should have ILSouth do the whole town in general. That way individual business can see the videos and determine if they would like specific videos to add to our video library.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Fall Events Preparation
i. Ask SCT what the costs are for the Trolley when being utilized at city events.
ii. We should have the Trolley at the Halloween Parade, Little Egypt Parade, and Mt. Vernon’s Fall parade.
iii. For Out Boo Your Neighbor, Derek was advised to use Eventbrite for registration. The Trolley should be used to drive around and judge the decorations. The tentative date for judging would be Oct. 5, and we should get the route settled/determined by Oct. 2.
iv. Celebrate Centralia
1. The Tourism Commission wants to be a part of the planning for Celebrate Centralia. We want to have See Centralia website and/or our QR Code on any of the advertising.
2. Mike said the Foundation needs to be contacted if Celebrate Centralia is planning to utilize the Foundation’s parking lot. Derek said he would have Gayla follow up.
3. The Commission members did request that the Trolley be present at Celebrate Centralia.
2. Winter Events Preparation – Downtown Christmas Stroll
3. Assistance Managing social media
i. We should get some quotes, but $500 a month as a maximum. The contract would require 3 posts a week, 1 event post a month, attendance at all major events, and manage creative content for the website & social media.
ii. Ask the high school about getting an intern from their internship program.
4. Budget Preparation
i. Add line item for social media contract.
ii. Need to get a paypal account for trolley fare charters.
VIII. DISCUSSION
IX. ADJOURNMENT – 1st Quidgeon 2nd Coleman
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/8-_August_17th_2021_Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up