Tourism Committee, Marshall Chamber of Commerce
June 21, 2007
Committee members present: Stan Moore, Ken Yowell, Arline Borchers,
Angie Wells, Rose Anne Huck. Sally Poole and Cynthia Crawford Affiliates present: Betty Lenz and Micki Uhrig with the
Country Patchwork Quilt Group
Chair Stan Moore called the meeting to order a 9 a.m.
Arline Borchers moved and it was approved that the minutes from May 24
be approved. Motion passed.
Ken Yowell announced that the Friends of Jim and the Chamber have come
to agreement that the Jim the Wonder Dog books will be sold through the
Chamber and the majority of proceeds will be turned over to Friends of
Jim.
Affiliates will be invited to July, August and September meetings to evaluate
the past year and plan for the coming year. Angie reminded the group that
the commission provided written feedback to groups regarding their applications
last year. This information can be important to groups as they prepare
applications for the coming year. The Chamber Committee does not pick
and choose pieces of applications to submit – it is important that
the potential affiliate groups make sure their applications fit the scope
and spirit of the Commission’s guidelines.
Visitor’s Guide
Stan encouraged the group to think about additions and changes. Suggestions:
add Jim the Wonder dog gravesite. Add hospital. Information about airport
for those flying in. More detail to map. The smaller visitor’s guide
is being phased out at least for now. The larger guide will be reprinted.
There is tremendous support for this publication.
Website
Please review it and suggest strengths to build. The website is being
used! 1300 requests for info on the website in the last 7 days.
DMO
The actual application is one page. Poole Advertising is bringing leadership
to the application process. Rose Anne announced the application deadline
of September 3 will be here very quickly. The first year we are eligible
for the small project marketing project. $10,000 of matching funds available
(match is dollars, not in-kind). Must put in certification before the
application. To be certified, criteria:
• Chamber associated
• Chamber place for 2 years minimum
• Involved in tourism for a minimum of 2 years
Next steps up the scale from small project marketing will be of interest
in future years. Several possible designations and increased funding associated
with each.
We will need the City of Marshall to designate this group (via resolution)
as a tourism destination marketing organization. Connie Latimer will bring
leadership to this.
The DMO is a high priority and the September 3 date will arrive quickly.
Affiliate Development
PahloArt Center is deliberating becoming an affiliate of this Chamber
Committee or submitting directly to the Commission. A question was raised
about whether a group could apply for some funds as an affiliate through
the Chamber and then also apply for additional funds from the Commission,
in addition. Angie suggested there doesn’t appear to be any Commission
rules that would prevent this.
We celebrate the Pahlo Art Center will be probably be getting their 501
c 3 approved in the near future. This will open additional doors to them
for funding.
As with all potential affiliates, we invite them to meet with this group
to explore being an affiliate. Our focus is marketing and we need to be
concerned about equitable marketing funds for all affiliates. Rose Anne
will serve as a liason to the Pahlo Art board, as she is a member of the
board, as well.
We anticipate the Community Theater will be meeting with the Chamber Committee
to explore being an affiliate. We look forward to this. July is suggested.
Country Patchwork Quilters has also requested to meet with the Chamber
Committee in July. We welcome the discussion.
The door is open for any group that would like to be considered as an
affiliate.
Boonslick Tourism
Arline has reported the first barn has been identified for a quilt –
thinking about a red, white and blue Missouri Star. Becky Plattner, Mary
Ellen McVickers and Arlene Borchers have identified 48 possible barns
and this is just a start. This is a three-county project.
Community Tourism Education
1. Managing volunteers workshop – August and September
2. Sidewalk ambassadors. Presentations to Kiwanis and Lions. Saturday
morning Optimists is scheduled for July 28. Will also keynote Santa Fe
Trail luncheon.
We continue to appreciate the MFA Oil grant dollars for community education
support. Rose Anne and Cynthia will work on favors/symbols to premiere
at the Santa Fe luncheon. These items will be great to have for use following
the early-August luncheon
. Trademark Smart Dog, Nice Folks
Sally encouraged the group to trademark this phrase. The group asked Poole
Advertising to do this.
Arline moved that the following slate of officers be proposed for voting
on at the July meeting:
Stan Moore – Chair
Angie Wells – Vice Chair
Cynthia Crawford – Secretary
Motion seconded. Voting tabled to July meeting to see if Angie will agree
to serve.
