Minutes of the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee

October 18, 2006

Committee members present: Jene Crook, Arlene Borchers, Ken Yowell, Rose Anne Huck, Bill Orendorf, and Cynthia Crawford.

Guest:  Don Borgman, Lexington.

Bill Orendorf called the meeting to order.

Jene Crook moved and it was seconded that the minutes from last meeting be approved.

The group greeted Don Borgman from Lexington.  Does economic development and now city administrator.  Exploring a vineyard and winery operation.  Waverly and Higginsville people are currently collaborating with Lexington.  Happy to find this group in Marshall.  Working on a critical mass working on tourism.  Majority of trips (53%) are planning trips using the internet.  There is a “been there, done that” syndrome.  Unless a rural town presents itself properly, they see one thing and think they’ve seen and done it all for year.  Interested in the Eastern Missouri Cuisine’s project (6 counties going south from St. Louis).  Could we develop the “Napa Valley” of Missouri?  Agri products from this region are special and unique…wineries, local agri products bed and breakfasts, arts, locally grown produce and locally owned restaurants.  Dr. Elizabeth Barham (UMC) is adopting this region for a project after much arm twisting from Lexington area.

Goal – create regional identity east of KC.  October 25, University Extension is interested in collaborating with the region on exploring a regional identity.  Does this group want to be a part of this?  Want to retain community identities PLUS add a regional identity.  Geographic area – Arrow Rock to the east, Sibley to the west (eastern Jackson Co), Missouri river on the north, I70 to the south (approx). Looking at ecological similarities. Cultural similarities.

Agri-entrepreneurship is a growing potential.

Don received a set of minutes from the group from June 2006 to the present.

The group expressed that there is no question of the need to collaborate.  Meeting – Lexington Public Library (on main street, diagonal from the courthouse) from 3-5 p.m. October 25.  Gives the opportunity to learn from one another, as well.  Plans to attend Rose Anne Huck, hopefully Stan, Bill Orendorf,  Cynthia.  Bill will drive Rose Anne and Stan.  May want to coordinate transportation with Joe Aull as an opportunity to brief him on this group’s work.

One of the first efforts will be inventorying assets.

Peter Kinder, state tourism director.

The Marshall group reported on:

• Bed tax funding for tourism keeps us from spending time in fund raising
• Look forward to being eligible for state funding
• Started with a focus group effort – learned there is a lot more here any of us dreamed.  Must get over the “there’s nothing to do here” paradigm.
• Logo:  Marshall MO – Smart dog, nice folks
• Brochures very close to being printed and in hand
• Other marketing pieces for sharp presentation – i.e. envelopes
• Looking forward to exploring agri-tourims in 2007
• Website in place!
• Collaborations within Marshall/Saline County – many – win/win philosophy
• Local leadership driven

Copies of Stan’s e-mail were distributed to group members. 

• Stan has the article written for the chamber newsletter. 
• Bill will put coupons on the agenda for the next chamber meeting
• Grant request pending for Jim the Wonderdog was relayed by the Commission.  There may be a need for new brochure.  The Chamber Committee expressed that to the extent we can partner with the Jim the Wonderdog committee, we will.  The door remains open for the Jim the Wonderdog group to partner with us.  This chamber committee is not interested in taking over any Jim the Wonderdog efforts.
• Ken has received some informal feedback from the commission.  The partnering concept of this group’s proposal went over well with the tourism commission.

Jene brought up that we need to be clear with our 2007 partners about the process of invoice payment. 

• It is the responsibility of partners to pay their bills on time to their venders.  We will not ask the tourism commission to pay any late fees/interest.
• Submit their invoice via the Chamber for reimbursement
• Chamber will invoice tourism funds (city) at least monthly.
• Chamber gets money from tourism funds for invoices less than $500.  Over $500 the city will reimburse directly.
• Chamber passes on reimbursement to partner.  This committee’s goal is 30 day turn around from partners submitting expenses to the chamber and receiving reimbursement back.

Ken will check with the city on the above proposed protocol.

Rose Anne checking on the 6 visitor’s centers.

Meet adjourned at 10:30.  Thanks to all!

back to top

Click any of the links below for previous Tourism Planning Reports

calendar of events / tourism planning reports / privacy / email us

©2009 Marshall, Missouri. All rights reserved. All text, graphics and content of this website are protected by the US and International copyright laws and may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner without written permission from the Marshall Chamber of Commerce.

Web Development: Poole Advertising LLC