City of Salem Tourism Board met Aug. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order
The Salem Tourism Board met Monday, August 8, 2022 at Salem City Hall. Chairman Jacob Hockett called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Present were board members Sherry Morton, Leon Chapman, Joy Conner and Secretary Suetta Oulrey
Minutes
The minutes of the July 14, 2022 meeting were presented for action. Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the minutes. Sherry Morton seconded the motion. AYES: Joy Conner, Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer’s Report for July 2022 were presented for action. Joy Conner made a motion to approve the report. Leon Chapman seconded the motion. AYES: Sherry Morton, Leon Chapman, Joy Conner and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: None. Motion carried.
Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments
Salem Chamber of Commerce Director, Jessiycka made her presentation on the Applefest. Jessiycka stated that the extra money would be used for marketing. Jessiycka feels that marketing is the biggest draw for the event. Jessiycka is having tri-fold flyers made that she will send/email out to IL, IN, MO and doing ads on WJBD radio to promote Applefest. Any extra money that Tourism would give would be greatly appreciated and used for marketing.
Jessiycka says it’s not about making money for Applefest but to draw people into Salem. Leon Chapman explains that Tourism is to help draw people in to the motels and that Applefest does not do that. Leon Chapman thinks Applefest should be a self-sustaining event.
Leon Chapman asked if and what Applefest charged to get in to the event. Jessiycka said they charge $5.00 a car at the gate. Jessiycka stated that Applefest probably brought in $5,000 roughly in gate tickets last year. Applefest was moved from the park to the fairground because of the weather. This way the event could be under cover if the weather was bad and not have to cancel the event. Salem Chamber of Commerce charges each vendor $50.00 and if the vendor wants to be under roof the fee is $75.00. Food vendors are charged a fee of $75.00. Leon Chapman suggested to Jessiycka that a portion of what vendors make go to Applefest. Leon Chapman suggests maybe 10% for non-profit vendors and 15% for the other vendors.
Jacob Hockett asked if it shorted the event by not receiving anymore than the $1,000.00 grant money. Jessiycka stated it did not, but any extra money is always appreciated. Sherry Morton asked Joy Conner if the Applefest was the Salem Chamber of Commerce’s #1 fundraiser. Joy Conner stated that it is and that the Golf Scramble is second.
Tourism is trying to figure out a strategy to promote Salem. Leon Chapman suggested a TV ad and have someone do random pictures of a pool, motel room (not anyone in particular), Bryan Museum, GI Bill of Rights. Joy Conner doesn’t know that TV is the best way to go about promoting Salem because so many people stream TV now. If going to do TV to promote it needs to be YouTube, Hulu, something like that. Joy Conner also feels that we need to use specific pictures of actual motels, restaurants, pool, etc. but needs to be unique. Sherry Morton was concerned about the price to do something like that. Joy Conner said that Charter has a bundle package for advertising and that Charter would produce the ad. Joy Conner also thinks that radio is an excellent way to get ads out to the public. Sherry Morton asked what market are we trying to attract? Next meeting, going to try to get all members to attend and work on a marketing plan.
Grant Reports
None
Board Members Report
None
Adjournment
As there was no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
https://www.salemil.us/node/795/minutes/2022
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