Tourism Committee

Regular Meeting

Pekin, IL · October 6, 2025

Minutes

City of Pekin PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOURISM COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF PEKIN, ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL 111 S. CAPITOL ST ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025 AT 5:00 PM Call to Order Chairperson Matthews called the Tourism Committee Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. in the Pekin City Hall Council Chambers. A quorum was established. Members present: Emily Lambe; Amy McCoy; JoElle Master; Shawn Powers; Mel Matthews; Cindy Galyean; Emily Lambe Approve Agenda Amy McCoy moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Cindy Galyean. Motion approved by voice vote. Approval of Minutes 3.1. Minutes from the Tourism Committee Meeting held on September 2, 2025 Shawn Powers moved to approve the minutes from the Tourism Committee Meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, as presented, seconded by JoElle Master. Motion approved by voice vote. Public Input None Reports 5.1. Tourism Fund FY2026 Q1 Financial Report Josh Wray presented a review of the Tourism Fund FY26 Q1 Financial Report—no further discussion. 5.2. Discover Pekin SEO Report The Committee reviewed the Discover Pekin SEO report. Amy McCoy said our results are really good, and the social media marketing is directing visitors to our website. She also suggested the Committee have staff from McDaniels Marketing attend a meeting to explain the report. Unfinished Business 6.1. Christmas on Court The Committee discussed the upcoming Christmas on Court event for December 5, 2025, with a 'Nutcracker' theme. There will be a hot cocoa contest among businesses. Mel Matthews is working on vendors and food trucks, adding an animal attraction like Barnyard Discoveries, and exploring a possible light attraction. 6.2. Recommendation for 2026 Sponsorship for Twisted Cat Fishing Tournament Cindy Galyean moved to recommend to City Council an earmark of $7,500 in the FY2027 Tourism Fund budget for the Twisted Cat Fishing Tournament to be held in 2026 with the condition that they turn in all the proper documentation of their 2025 event. Shawn Powers seconded the motion. Cindy Galyean noted that the participants of this tournament fill up local hotels, bring their families, and stay multiple days. Josh Wray agreed that he would not take this action to City Council until the group has submitted their revenue/expense worksheet from the 2025 tournament. Motion approved by voice vote. New Business 7.1. Discussion on Concept for New City Welcome Signs Josh Wray presented a rendering of the new City of Pekin signs prepared by McDaniels Marketing. The Committee suggested some changes, such as using the new logo on the right-hand side, and adding 'Welcome to the Marigold City' on the left-hand side. The Committee also recommended purchasing as many signs as the budget would allow up to five with the fifth to be placed on East Broadway Street. The project will also be reviewed at the Beautification Committee meeting before going to City Council. Any Other Business to Come Before the Committee None Adjourn Shawn Powers moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m., seconded by Cindy Galyean. Motion approved by voice vote.

Agenda

Packet

City of Pekin REGULAR TOURISM COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025 5:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes 3.1. Minutes from the Tourism Committee Meeting held on September 2, 2025 4. Public Input 5. Reports 5.1. Tourism Fund FY2026 Q1 Financial Report 5.2. Discover Pekin SEO Report 6. Unfinished Business 6.1. Christmas on Court 6.2. Recommendation for 2026 Sponsorship for Twisted Cat Fishing Tournament 7. New Business 7.1. Discussion on Concept for New City Welcome Signs 8. Any Other Business to Come Before the Committee 9. Adjourn Page 1 of 14 Page 2 of 14 Page 3 of 14 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Date: October 6, 2025 To: Members of the Tourism Committee From: Joshua Wray, Economic Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Tourism Fund FY2026 Q1 Financial Report DESCRIPTION: A balance sheet and a revenue and expense summary report is included. For Q1 of this fiscal year, May-July, the Tourism Fund received net $94,926.34 in revenue and expended net $96,439.06. The Fund's cash balance remains healthy at $591,373. Page 4 of 14 General Ledger Summary Trial Balance User: jlwray@ci.pekin.il.us Printed: 10/03/2025 - 4:48PM Period: 01 to 03, 2026 Include: Revenue and Expense Account From: 208 Account To: 208 Include Uncommited JE's: True Account Number Description Budget Amount Beginning Balance Debit This Period Credit This Period Ending Balance Fund 208 REVENUE Department 208 208-208-411005 Home Rule Motel Tax 300,000.00 0.00 18,797.42 100,226.74 -81,429.32 208-208-411008 Short Term Rental Taxes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-442500 Federal Grants 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-442600 State Grants 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-463500 Late Payment Penalty 0.00 0.00 1.62 202.64 -201.02 208-208-463600 Interest Charges 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.52 -40.52 208-208-490100 Interest Earnings 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 5,735.43 -5,735.43 208-208-492100 Loan Proceeds 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-493600 Training Reimbursements 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-498700 Farmer's Market Revenue 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-499201 Tourism Contributions 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,100.00 -7,100.00 208-208-499800 Miscellaneous Receipts 0.00 0.00 0.00 420.05 -420.05 208-208 REVENUE Totals: 315,000.00 0.00 18,799.04 113,725.38 -94,926.34 REVENUE Totals: 315,000.00 0.00 18,799.04 113,725.38 -94,926.34 EXPENSE Department 208 208-208-511600 Salary: All Personnel 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-511601 Admin Cost Allocation 23,910.00 0.00 6,002.02 0.00 6,002.02 208-208-515000 Overtime 0.00 0.00 79.79 0.00 79.79 208-208-515500 Vacation Pay 0.00 0.00 14.01 14.01 0.00 208-208-515501 Vacation Payout 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-515600 Holiday Pay 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 GL-Summary Trial Balance (10/3/2025 - 4:48 PM) Page 1 Page 5 of 14 Account Number Description Budget Amount Beginning Balance Debit This Period Credit This Period Ending Balance 208-208-515800 Sick Pay 0.00 0.00 7.13 7.13 0.00 208-208-515801 Sick Payout 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-516700 Wellness Program 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-517000 Oasdi/city Share 6.2% 1,485.00 0.00 365.70 0.00 365.70 208-208-517001 Medicare/city Share 1.45% 350.00 0.00 85.69 0.00 85.69 208-208-517401 IMRF 1,735.00 0.00 425.31 0.00 425.31 208-208-518000 Group Insurance 4,450.00 0.00 1,304.19 0.00 1,304.19 208-208-518300 Workers Comp Insurance 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-518700 Mileage 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-519000 Training And Education 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-520200 Office Supplies 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-520277 Transfer to BDD 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-520400 Postage 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-538000 Maintenance Agreements 11,290.00 0.00 3,190.00 0.00 3,190.00 208-208-550300 Telephone 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-551000 Printing And Publications 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-551600 Dues And Subscriptions 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 208-208-554200 Meals Lodging 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-559900 Receivable Charge Off 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-560500 Consulting Services 21,900.00 0.00 5,475.00 0.00 5,475.00 208-208-560600 Corporate Counsel Fees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-561200 Engineering Fees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-569000 Other Contractual Service 62,000.00 0.00 4,187.46 0.00 4,187.46 208-208-573100 Grants 50,000.00 0.00 3,003.00 0.00 3,003.00 208-208-580201 Land Improvements 150,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-583000 Loan Agreements 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-590400 Interest Paid 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-590600 Bank fees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-591200 Developer Agreement Payments 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-591400 Loan Payments 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-597700 Sponsorships 59,750.00 0.00 15,288.00 288.00 15,000.00 208-208-598100 Public Relations 45,000.00 0.00 11,258.14 0.00 11,258.14 208-208-598500 Farmer's Market Expense 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208-598505 Special Events 70,000.00 0.00 21,062.76 0.00 21,062.76 208-208-599000 Miscellaneous 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 208-208 EXPENSE Totals: 526,870.00 0.00 96,748.20 309.14 96,439.06 GL-Summary Trial Balance (10/3/2025 - 4:48 PM) Page 2 Page 6 of 14 Account Number Description Budget Amount Beginning Balance Debit This Period Credit This Period Ending Balance EXPENSE Totals: 526,870.00 0.00 96,748.20 309.14 96,439.06 Fund 208 Totals: -211,870.00 0.00 115,547.24 114,034.52 1,512.72 Report Totals: -211,870.00 0.00 115,547.24 114,034.52 1,512.72 GL-Summary Trial Balance (10/3/2025 - 4:48 PM) Page 3 Page 7 of 14 Jul 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 arrow_drop_down Traffic Overview Web Overview Organic Sessions Trending Organic Traffic Sessions Sessions (previous year) 800 Active users New users 3,461 3,305 600 -48.8% -50.1% 400 200 Total Traffic 0 Jul 1 Jul 8 Jul 15 Jul 22 Jul 29 Aug 5 Aug 12 Aug 19 Aug 26 Sep 2 Sep 9 Sep 16 Sep 23 Sep 30 Active users New users 28,920 29,161 101.7% 107.4% Top Organic Landing Pages Page path Views ▼ %Δ Active users %Δ /events/ 478 -15.2% 317 -26.3% Engaged sessions Engagement rate /event/taste-of-pekin-2/ 414 - 304 - 7,783 23.39% -15.9% -56.1% /downtown-concert-series/ 400 37.5% 261 24.9% / 400 -10.7% 173 -29.4% /things-to-do/ 391 -44.7% 287 -48.8% Sessions Sessions per user /event/pekin-marigold-festival-2/ 289 -86.5% 260 -84.5% 33,277 1.15 91.7% -5.0% /about/our-history/ 267 -28.8% 205 -26.5% /things-to-do/family-fun/ 152 -28.3% 127 -29.4% 1 - 100 / 363 < > Page 8 of 14 Jul 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 arrow_drop_down Organic Traffic Audience Detail Visitor Locations What device are people using? Popular Days City Region New users ▼ 6K 10.8% 1. Chicago Illinois 9,605 2. Indianapolis Indiana 1,042 4K 3. Pekin Illinois 862 86.3% 4. (not set) (not set) 666 2K 5. Peoria Illinois 443 mobi… desk… tablet 6. East Peoria Illinois 418 Device categ… Active us… ▼ Views 7. St. Louis Missouri 361 0 1. mobile 25,435 33,182 ay ay ay ay ay ay ay rsd nesd ond uesd a turd Sund Frid < > u M 1 - 100 / 2572 Th Wed T S 2. desktop 2,516 5,592 3. tablet 1,053 1,521 New vs Returning Visitors 1-4/4 < > Source Medium Sessions How people found your site: (direct) New Visitor 7,231 572 Paid Social 886 Paid Search google Organic Returning 3,259 Search 725 Visitor Direct Organic Social 2,315 Others 0 2K 4K 6K 8K fb Page 9 of 14 Jul 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 arrow_drop_down Organic Keywords 5,440 Organic Keywords Trend -32.4% Site CTR Impressions 0.9% 417.6K -46.5% -9.2% Average Position Clicks 10.8 3.9K -3.1% -51.4% AIO Trend Keyword intent is the reason behind why someone types a specific phrase into a search engine. By creating content with that intent, it increases the chance of showing up in search results. Page 10 of 14 Jul 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 arrow_drop_down Top Performing Keywords Query Clicks ▼ Impressions Site CTR Average Positi… 1. taste of pekin 2025 163 297 54.88% 1.19 2. taste of pekin 111 221 50.23% 1.29 3. marigold festival pekin il 90 3,802 2.37% 4.59 4. pekin downtown concert series 51 95 53.68% 1.02 5. marigold festival 43 1,689 2.55% 5.31 6. things to do in pekin il 40 605 6.61% 2.35 7. discover pekin 39 53 73.58% 1 8. marigold festival pekin il 2025 27 1,917 1.41% 5.43 9. menards pekin directory 21 526 3.99% 3.99 10. pekin park concert band 20 113 17.7% 3.38 11. pekin marigold festival 19 2,599 0.73% 6.19 12. marigold mile pekin il 17 47 36.17% 1.64 1 - 20 / 8577 < > Page 11 of 14 Jul 1, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 arrow_drop_down Tips & Tricks Quarter 3 Completions: Changing Report Date Range: 1. Keyword research An exciting feature we’ve added to your report is the ability to check past analytic data. This can be 2. Uploaded new podcast episodes onto site accessed by toggling the date range button in the upper right hand corner of each page (see image 3. Updated photos 4. Updated event feed below for example): 5. Updated directory 6. published blog 7. Updated holiday page You’ll notice that the report will always pull data from the most recent month, but it can be easily altered by simply clicking the toggle shown above. Changing a Page: To toggle between different pages of the report, simply click the arrows in the top left corner located under the title of the report Quarter 4 Objectives: 1. Keyword/ topic research 2. Focus on creating more informative content This is an interactive report, so don’t worry, there’s no way you can break it or mess it up. Feel free to 3. Continue uploading podcast to the site click around and run your mouse over different elements and charts! 4. Make blog suggestions 5. Find opportunities for internal linking 6. Evaluate low-content pages Download Or Print the Report: *Make sure you are using Google Chrome & logged into a Google account* To download this report as a PDF click in the top right corner. Then, when prompted, click Client Goals: "download". 1. Increase traffic to the website using relevant keywords 2. Decrease the time a new website users spends searching for information To print this report, first download as a PDF (see directions above). Once downloaded as a PDF open 3. Make it easier for possible visitors to find discoverpekin.com the document and click 'file' then 'print'. Note that some operating systems may require you to select 'fit to page' in the printer settings in order to allow the report to print correctly. Page 12 of 14 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Date: October 6, 2025 To: Members of the Tourism Committee From: Joshua Wray, Economic Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Discussion on Concept for New City Welcome Signs DESCRIPTION: Now that the City's rebranding effort is coming to a conclusion, staff has begun to look at design for new City welcome signs. The Committee's recommendation for $150,000 in capital expenses was approved in the budget, which could go entirely towards new signs. McDaniels Marketing created the attached mock-up of a sign. Exact design, dimensions, and locations are up for discussion. One company has given a rough quote of $30,000 - $35,000 per sign. That may not include installation and landscaping. This project will have to be formally bid. Staff would like feedback on the design from McDaniels as well as a priority listing of locations in case there is not enough budget for all to be replaced this year. This discussion time will also go to the Beautification Committee. Page 13 of 14 Page 14 of 14