Community Promotion & Tourism

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Tuesday, January 16, 2024 7:00 PM Lorraine G. Gerhardt Community Room Community Promotion & Tourism Trustee Bernie Dudek, Chairperson, Trustee Andrew Honig, Alternate Chairperson, Marguerite Micken, Joe Orsolini, Nancy Schukat, Nicholas Piron and Gayle Kankovsky, Kimberly Messina, Umar Haque and Kayla Harger Ex-Officio Members: Rick Galfano - Lombard Chamber of Commerce; Beth Marchetti - DuPage Convention & Visitors' Bureau; Yorktown Centre - Josh Dean; Embassy Suites - Mike Hansen; Sure Stay Plus - Randy Cline; Sonesta ES Suites - Alan Gagnon; Extended Stay America (22nd) - Iverliss Hernandez; Comfort Suites - Frank Balisteri; Extended Stay America (Technology) - Adriana DeHoyos; Fairfield Inn & Suites - Tamara Rodgers; Hyatt Place - Arvyda Mikalainis; Towne Place Suites - Rebekah Burton; The Westin - Kym Myers Staff Liaison Nicole Aranas Community Promotion & Tourism Minutes January 16, 2024 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bernie Dudek at 7:10 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bernie Dudek. Introduction and welcoming of new committee members Kimberly Messina, Umar Haque, and Kayla Harger. 2.0 Roll Call Present 5 - Bernie Dudek, Nicholas Piron, Gayle Kankovsky, Kimberly Messina, and Umar Haque Absent 4 - Marguerite Micken, Joe Orsolini, Nancy Schukat, and Kayla Harger Also present: Nicole Aranas, Staff Liaison, Laura Sasinka and Ellyn Murphy, Lombard Lilac Parade, Rick Galfano, Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce, Jenelle Metcalf and Brittney Conway, Lombard Junior Women's Club. 3.0 Public Participation Village of Lombard Page 1 Community Promotion & Tourism Minutes January 16, 2024 4.0 Approval of Minutes approved 5.0 Old Business 6.0 New Business 240014 Local Tourism Grant Application 2024 - Lombard Lilac Parade Grant request from the Lombard Lilac Festival Parade Committee in the amount of $22,000, plus the cost of Village Services from Hotel/Motel funds to support all expenses of the parade, honorariums paid to participants, advertising expenses, and recognition expenses. The parade will take place on May 19, 2024. Presentation by Lombard Lilac Festival Parade Committee Chair Laura Sasinka. The parade committee hosts several fundraisers including the Spring Wine Walk, Adult Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, Fall Wine Walk, and more. The Wine Walk was not held last year due to downtown construction and the parade committee has less money due to the cancellation of the event. Other events were previously cancelled due to severe weather. Committee members raised questions regarding possible sponsorships and fundraisers to raise money for the parade. The parade committee advised that sponsorships have been low due to the pandemic and inflation. Their largest sponsor from previous years also has had a change in ownership and the new owners have decided not to sponsor the event. Some restaurants are assisting with fundraising by providing banners as well as monetary donations. The funding requested will be used to cover paid honoraria to parade units. The committee is seeking an increase in funding from $18,000 to $22,000. The grant request would also cover Village services anticipated to be approximately $20,000. recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval 240015 Local Tourism Grant Application 2024 - Lilac Times Arts and Craft Fair Grant request from the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $5,500 from Hotel/Motel funds to solely cover the cost of Village services (Police, Public Works and Fire Department overtime). The fair is scheduled for May 5, 2024. Village of Lombard Page 2 Community Promotion & Tourism Minutes January 16, 2024 Presentation by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce President Rick Galfano. The Chamber has been looking to continually improve the event and it has become an extension of Lilac Time events. Various craft, food, and beverage vendors have made this a successful event for the Chamber and partners. In 2023, the event had 130 vendors and was set up on St. Charles Road from Main Street all the way through Elizabeth and part of Park Avenue. There are several returning vendors this year and the public is looking forward to the event. recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval 240016 Local Tourism Grant Application 2024 - Lilac Princess Program Grant request from the Lombard Junior Women's Club in the amount of $7,500 from Hotel/Motel funds for expenses supporting the Lilac Princess Program. The grant will support expenses related to the scholarships awarded to the court. The program begins in March and culminates June 19, 2024. Presentation by President of the Lombard Junior Women's Club Brittney Conway. The Lilac Princess Program is a very old tradition since 1930. Five candidates between the ages of 16-21 are chosen by a set of judges and are scored by public speaking, pose, grace, personal presentation, community service, and academic involvement. The winners are presented with a scholarship and are also involved with commitments with the program between March and June. The grant request of $7,500 covers only the costs of the scholarships. Additional expenses of administering the program will be covered by the LJWC. recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval 240017 Local Tourism Grant Application 2024 - Lombard Farmers Market Grant request from the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $5,400 solely for Village services (Public works overtime to install barricades for the parking lot) as well as Waste Management costs, if any. The Farmer's Market will run from May 21, 2024 through October 1, 2024. Presentation by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce President Rick Galfano. This will be the third season on the Lombard Farmer's Market. Last year the event averaged 18 vendors and this year the anticipated amount is between 23-25 vendors which include many returning vendors. The Chamber will be requesting approval from the Village to hold the Farmer's Market on South Park Avenue. If the event is not approved it will take place at the previous location. The committee raised questions regarding a conflict with another event happening in the downtown area. The Chamber advised that they will Village of Lombard Page 3 Community Promotion & Tourism Minutes January 16, 2024 support the event at either location. recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval 240018 Local Tourism Grant Application 2024 - Lombard Brew Fest Grant request from the Lombard Junior Women's Club in the amount of $17,500, to include the cost of Village services from Hotel/Motel funds to cover the costs of police overtime, additional security, tenting needs, fencing, and additional event costs. The fest will take place on July 20, 2024. Presentation by the Lombard Junior Women's Club (LJWC) Chairperson Jenelle Metcalf. This will be the second year the LJWC has hosted the event. Last year the event brought in over 30 breweries and 8,000 people in attendance. Non-alcoholic options are also available for healthier options as well as a designated driver ticket. Expenses have increases since last year's event, but an increase in sponsorships is expected. recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval 7.0 Other Business 8.0 Information Only 9.0 Adjournment approved Village of Lombard Page 4