South West Illinois News

Ottawa Visitors Center Board met Monday, May 23.

The Ottawa Visitors Center Board operates a Visitors Center to serve the traveling public with information on lodging, attractions, events and tourism amenities. It markets Ottawa in partnership with the regional tourism bureau, Illinois Bureau of Tourism and other organizations with emphasis on generating overnight stays; and assists the development of hospitality training and the delivery of professional tourism services by the business community to increase the level of public understanding that tourism is an important industry to Ottawa.

Here are the minutes as provided by Ottawa:

Board Meeting Minutes

May 23, 2016

Present: Chair Kevin Steward, Vice Chair Matt Skelly, Secretary Karen Zemann, Treasure DeWayne Cronkright, Executive Director Curt Bedei, Kevin Bressendorf, Mark Stoudt , Mary Olson, Hank Wolf, Jeff Heimsoth (exofficio) City Liaison Reed Wilson (ex-officio), Chamber Director Boyd Palmer (ex-officio), Absent: Scott Struchen, Hans Andrews (Ex-Officio), City Liaison Nancy Stisser (ex-officio), Meeting Called To Order 5:01pm

Public Comments

Chamber Report Palmer

DOL wage seminar, Industrial site requests, Breakfast of Champions, SBDC

N/A N/A

City Report Wilson

Starved Rock Country, new businesses, Wine Fest update, Hotel

N/A N/A

Next Board Meeting

Scheduled for Monday June 27th, 2016

N/A N/A

Next Committee Meetings

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 - Operations 2p, Marketing 3p, Finance 4p drop off

N/A N/A

Review of Minutes

Moved by DeWayne Cronkright; 2nd by Karen Zemann

Motion to accept the meeting minutes from 4-25-16.

Motion Carried

Old Business Scott Struchen and Hank Wolf appointed to board-can hold on other appointees, Bimonthly meeting no, website committee and get rid of current site for a new one. Moved by Mary Olson, 2nd by Mark Stoudt

Motion to convene a committee for the new website consisting of Kevin Bressendorf, Karen Zemann, Hank Wolf and Curt Bedei. Motion carried

New Business Summer intern-great experience, stipend under $600, 2 quotes on copier/contract Mural signage ok. Moved by DeWayne Cronkright; 2nd by Mark Stoudt

Motion to have a summer intern and develop a plan for the intern. Motion carried

Directors Report

Buffalo campaign working, BR # 8 search on our website, new post cards promoting campaign, Billboard is up Riverfest, Travel With Darley,

N/A N/A

Committee Report

Operations DNM, Marketing – looked at new commercial, wine fest, riverfest, buffalo campaign all great Moved by Kevin Steward; 2nd by Matt Skelly

Motion to approve the finances as presented.

Motion Carried.

Adjournment 6:15 pm Moved by Kevin Steward; 2nd by Matt Skelly

Motion to adjourn. Motion carried

Executive Session

N/A N/A

Minutes submitted by Karen Zemann and typed by Curt Bedei, Meeting May 23rd, 2016 - Quorum was established