TTC Approves Funding Of Christmas Advertising
By ERIC X. VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
The Tourism Tax Commission approved $900 for an advertising package as part of the upcoming Holiday Christmas Festival.
The measure was approved, 4-0, with member Dee Patel absent from last Tuesday evening’s meeting at Ste. Genevieve City Hall.
The 35th annual Holiday Christmas Festival will take place on Dec. 5-6 – complete with a parade, colonial decorations and caroling.
The advertisements will run on St. Louis Public Radio, 22 ads at $90 per spot plus 11 bonus spots, from mid-November until the Friday before the festival.
The total cost is $1,980, with the rest of funding coming from the general revenue portion of the tourism budget.
Another package of advertisements will be paid for from money in the general revenue account.
This is a program through Entercom, using KEZK 102.5 FM, playing Christmas music through the holidays.
It’s a $3,000 campaign, with 50 15-second ads, that will air throughout the month of December.
“At the same price, they have a one-week Christmas shopping program of 20 15-second ads in addition to 50,000 Facebook impressions and commercial messages on Radio.com,” reported tourism director Toby Carrig in notes provided to the Ste. Genevieve Herald.
The Christmas shopping ads are geared toward urging tourists to explore Ste. Genevieve’s sites, wineries, dining and more.
Last year, the tourism budget paid for holiday-minded advertising in the Herald, Donze Communications Radio and Alphamedia (KTJJ).
City administrator Happy Welch also was present to discuss a different avenue of promoting tourism — and that was through event sponsorships.
While he was city administrator in Festus, various groups would come before the tourism board seeking sponsorship for events such as Festus Winterfest and a bluegrass concert featuring George Portz.
The council said it would like more information before proceeding on this matter, which an allowable function of tourism according to state statutes.
• Carrig also submitted pricing information to the tax council on billboard advertising along various highways in the region. Money has been spent in the past on billboards on Interstate-55 southbound in Jefferson County, and I-55 northbound in the Fruitland/Jackson area.
• The tax council is seeking to have more collaboration with the Tourism Advisory Council, which may result in more meetings.
• Carrig said he’s still seeking a new tourism slogan.
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES
• Downtown Ste. Genevieve will be having its Halloween Spooktacular from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Various shops in downtown will have candy as part of this trick-or-treating initiative.
There will be check-in, complete with map and other handouts, at 2 p.m. at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center.
• First Baptist Church will have a special “trunk or treat” event at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. This a free community event filled with candy and games.
