Convention group aims to lure more visitors

SPRINGFIELD — Tourism in Clark County is slowly rebounding, but is still at levels slightly below what it was two years ago, so the Convention Facilities Authority is looking for ways to draw more visitors to the area.

“Revenues from overnight stays are up about 7 percent from last year, but still about 2 percent below what they were two years ago,” said Mike McDorman, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce president, at the CFA meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 10. The CFA, which offers grants for local tourism attractions and is funded by a 3 percent room tax, is working with the Champions Center and Clark County Fairgrounds to finalize details of the initial grants. The Fairgrounds has been offered $52,300 annually for three years, pending a match in county funding, for electrical system upgrades.

An initial $16,000 grant to the Champions Center earmarked for a joint marketing campaign is used to research ways to reach large markets. The plans include an webside that would guide users to multiple Clark County venues and print materials that could be mailed or downloaded from venue websites. The next major consideration for the board is the feasibility of an LED billboard along Interstate 70, near the Clark County Fairgrounds and the Champions Center. The billboard would display ads for area tourism venues and sponsors. “There are about 65,000 cars per day on 70, so we have that audience passing by every day,” McDorman said.

CFA has joined forces with Brad Webb, president of Media Monster, Inc., to research the project. For two 10-feet by 30-feet LED billboard signs and the necessary support structures, Webb estimated the cost at about $246,000.

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