Chamber tourism committee makes progress toward state designation

The Marshall Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee met on Thursday, June 21, to elect new officers and to make additions, deletions or corrections to the visitor's guide for next year.

The committee agreed to re-elect Stan Moore to chairman and Cynthia Crawford to secretary. They also agreed to elect Angie Wells as vice chair. The final decision was tabled and will be voted on Thursday, July 19, with the approval of the officers elected.

Suggestions brought up by the group was to add Jim the Wonder dog's grave site, a hospital sign and other details to the map available in the visitor's guide brochure. More information included about the airport for people interested in flying in was also suggested.

Poole Advertising is bringing leadership to the Designated Marketing Organization (DMO) application process, Moore said.

Rose Anne Huck said the application is one page and the deadline is Monday, Sept. 3. Huck continued, this is the first year the organization is eligible for the small marketing project, which means the organization is able to apply for $10,000 of matching funds. However, the organization has to put in its certification before it can apply.

Huck said to be certified the organization has to be chamber associated for two years minimum and involved in tourism for a minimum of two years. The organization also needs the City of Marshall to designate the group through a resolution as a tourism destination marketing organization. Huck said, the DMO is a high priority to this group and the Monday, Sept. 3, date will arrive quickly.

Arline Borchers reported to the committee that Boonslick Tourism has identified the first barn for a program that will involve three Missouri counties. This program will have two four by eight foot quilt-painted plywood sheets attached to the barn to combine the tradition and beauty of quilt designing with the long lasting durability of American barns.

The first idea for the first quilt is a red, white and blue Missouri Star. The idea of the barn quilts comes from a program in McHenry County, Iowa, which has been a great success.

Becky Plattner, Mary Ellen McVickers and Borchers have identified 48 potential barns in the area.

Huck told the committee that the Web site, www.visitmarshallmo.com, is being used. She continued, there were 1,300 requests for information in seven days. She asked the members of the committee to keep suggesting ways to improve the Web site.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Yowell announced that the Friends of Jim and the chamber have come to an agreement and the Jim the Wonder Dog books will be sold through the chamber and the majority of the proceeds will be turned over to Friends of Jim.

Committee member Sally Poole encouraged the group to trademark the phrase, "Smart Dog, Nice Folks." After group discussion, the committee asked Poole Advertising to go ahead and trademark the phrase.

The next committee meeting will be Thursday, July 19, at 9 a.m. in the conference room at the University of Missouri Extension Center located at 353 S. Lafayette.

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net