LaSalle County Tourism Committee members on March 21 approved a series of marketing and promotion requests from municipalities, nonprofts and event organizers, clearing funding for festivals, a countywide summer campaign and targeted advertising intended to bring visitors and hotel stays to the county.

The actions included standard in‑kind marketing support (rack cards, billboards and social media) for more than a dozen events and targeted cash support for larger multimedia campaigns. Amanda (county staff) told the committee, “If all funding requests are approved today, it will be $99,540,” and said the group could also draw on $238,000 in cash on hand to cover additional requests beyond the $100,000 line in the budget.

Why it matters: the committee uses pillow (hotel) tax revenue to fund marketing that aims to increase overnight stays and spending in LaSalle County. Approvals at the March meeting included longstanding local festivals and two larger campaigns that county staff and partners said are designed to reach suburban Chicago and other markets more than 50 miles away.

Most approvals were routine voice votes. The committee approved funding for the Marseilles Renaissance Fair, StreeterFest, A Moment of Awe (Utica), a postcard/video campaign led by North Utica and Starrock Lodge (a $50,000 project with a $20,000 county request), Market on Mill in North Utica, Pluto Fest and other local festivals. The Canal Quarter Association won approval for continued bike‑share stations and canal boat operations and an $11,490 marketing request for LaSalle. The county also approved the countywide summer campaign (branded this year as “Appetite for Adventure”) for roughly $25,000 toward a $74,350 plan. Where the transcript recorded dissent, votes were reflected in the minutes: Ottawa Family Pride Fest passed despite two recorded nays.

Details and examples

- Marseilles Renaissance Fair: Kathy Coker, representing the fair, described one‑day programming, entertainers and food vendors and requested rack cards, billboard and social media support. The committee approved the request by voice vote (motion moved and seconded; “Aye. Motion passes.”).

- StreeterFest: Joe Richard presented attendance and economic indicators from the prior year and asked for billboard, 20,000 rack cards and social media; the committee approved the request by voice vote.

- A Moment of Awe (Utica): Abby Zukowski described a one‑day sober wellness festival that attracted out‑of‑area participants; the committee approved rack cards, billboard and social media support.

- Star Rock / North Utica postcard/video campaign: Lindsey Wynne (Starrock Lodge) and Jamie Turgeon (Village of North Utica) outlined a $50,000 campaign (two videos covering summer and fall, placements on connected TV and social channels). They asked the county for a 40% match ($20,000). Amanda clarified that municipalities and businesses that collect hotel tax can be supported under the committee’s guidelines and that grantees must spend first and submit invoices for reimbursement. The motion to approve the $20,000 county contribution passed.

- Market On Mill (North Utica): Jamie Turgeon described a small retail plaza incubator opening in May; the committee approved rack cards, billboard and social media support. The motion passed with one recorded nay (Brian).

- Ottawa Family Pride Fest: Dylan Conmey (Humankind Initiative) said the one‑day festival drew more than 10,000 guests last year and requested rack cards, billboard and social media. The motion passed with two recorded nays (Bill Brown and Ron Blue) and three ayes; the motion carried.

- Canal Quarter Association: Anna Veil asked to continue bike rentals (eight to ten bikes per rack at several stations), canal boat operations and an $11,490 LaSalle marketing package (full page visitor guide ad and a county passport idea). The committee approved the bike program, the boat operation support and the $11,490 LaSalle marketing request.

- County summer campaign: LaSalle County/StarvedRock marketing presented a refreshed summer plan (“Appetite for Adventure”) and requested rack cards, billboard and social media plus a $25,000 other line item toward a $74,350 total budget. The committee approved the request; staff noted this is the same county summer campaign line the group has funded in prior years.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting transcript)

- Marseilles Renaissance Fair — motion to accept funding request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- StreeterFest — motion to accept funding request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- A Moment of Awe (Utica) — motion to accept funding request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Postcard/video campaign (North Utica / Starrock Lodge) — motion to approve $20,000 county match; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Market On Mill (North Utica) — motion to accept; vote: voice approval, 1 recorded nay (Brian); outcome: approved.
- Ottawa Family Pride Fest — motion to accept; vote: approved (3 ayes, 2 nays recorded — Bill Brown, Ron Blue).
- Pluto Fest (Streeter) — motion to accept rack card/billboard/social media request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Poco a Poco / Streeter Summer Music Fest — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Mendota Sweet Corn Festival — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Hegler Karas Mansion — motion to accept rack card request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Streeter Food Truck Festival — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Oglesby (four events: movie night, Winter Wonderland, Scarecrow Harvest, Summer Fun Fest kickoff) — committee approved a mix of options; movie night approved for social media only, other events approved “as is.”
- Canal Quarter Association bike program — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Canal Quarter Association boat rides — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- Canal Quarter Association LaSalle marketing ($11,490 request) — motion to accept; vote: voice approval (motion passed).
- County summer campaign (“Appetite for Adventure”) — motion to accept all three support options and $25,000 request; vote: voice approval (motion passed).

What the committee said about money and rules

Amanda (county staff) explained the committee’s funding rules: money comes from pillow (hotel) tax, the committee may use budgeted funds plus cash on hand, and recipients must spend and submit paid invoices before receiving reimbursement. She also noted the committee typically funds municipalities, nonprofits and entities that collect the hotel tax, and that applicants have previously included municipalities such as Ottawa, Streeter and Mendota.

Next steps and context

Several presenters said they will provide artwork and materials for rack cards, billboards and social campaigns to the county marketing vendor (Shaw Media/Effectv). Larger campaigns will be placed in suburban Chicago television and streaming zones, and campaign partners said they will provide monthly reports on impressions and engagement.

The committee adjourned after completing the funding decisions.

Ending

Committee members and presenters emphasized the goal behind the approvals: increase “heads in beds,” support local businesses and extend multi‑day visits to the county. Several presenters noted that approved marketing typically targets out‑of‑area visitors — suburban Chicago and other regions — and that funded placements are intended to convert interest into overnight stays and local spending.