By: Diane Benjamin
Finding any information on this organization is next to impossible. They don’t post meeting minutes on their website. I’m told they don’t want other cities to see what they do and steal ideas. The public can attend meetings, probably nobody does.
Meanwhile, Bloomington has their own economic development department and they own the BCPA and Coliseum and promote events themselves.
The last CEO left – Crystal Howard. I’m hearing rumors the new CEO has no idea what she’s doing – Melissa Chrisman. (of course no one with inside information is talking)
I’m also hearing the one competent employee they had was fired – Tracy Fulcher, Communications Manager. Her name is still on the website however.
Board of Directors:
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I don’t know why Normal has representation since I can’t find any payments from them. Bloomington does contribute:
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The CVB is housed in the Coliseum. Bloomington hands them money and then gets some back in rent. How much is hard to determine from their tax return, maybe $33,400: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/331037577/202530439349301008/full
That tax return is for the year ended 6/30/2024.
The McLean County Convention and Visitors Bureau doesn’t think they are subject to FOIA.
From that tax return:
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They aren’t hurting for money even though they raised very little themselves:
From 3 places:
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Besides Bloomington, I don’t know what other “government” is giving them money:
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Is this just a jobs program?
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This looks fun, I wonder where staff traveled to?
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Staff did publish a 2023 Annual Report on their website: https://www.visitbn.org/app/uploads/2024/03/5_2023-BNACVB-Annual-Report.pdf
Remember the Route 66 signs in Bloomington and Normal? They are in that report. Has the part of Normal’s that blew down been fixed yet?
Why exactly does the CVB exist? Maybe after this somebody will tell us.
Another good target for DOGE.
“DOES THE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU DOING ANYTHING?”
Does blnnews doing proper grammar?
Report whoever is forcing you to read!
Since its inception, the organization has lacked leadership and focus. Howard was a terrible choice for CEO as she lacked any previous experience and for many years, refused to relocate from Peoria. She was a fashion plate that was used to be put in front of the community. The board has always been comprised of know-nothings that lack any serious marketing or promotion background or knowledge. You can’t get real professionals in these positions for the small amount of monies that are in the budgets. You’re either serious about this endeavor or you are not. BN just has nothing going for it that such an organization is necessary. In addition, there is no community or government leadership in place or desire to make anything significant happen with it or grow events people actually want to see and spend money on. It’s just Bloomington-Normal being Bloomington-Normal. Talking and acting big with little or no results is the town’s M.O.
The Shitty of Gloomington.
You might as well call this a board largely of the McLean County (B-N) Democratic Party. Whether it’s current or former Dem pols or their campaign staff, it’s clear to see the direction here. I’m sure the CVB points to events at ISU and the Coliseum as their doing.
Newsflash: IHSA likes events in their backyard. Their staff can be in their own homes hosting IHSA girls VB, IHSA girls BB, IHSA (dual) wrestling, IHSA FB, and IHSA soccer.
So what does the CVB do because those are long-term contracts? Are they the driving force behind Tailgate and Tall Boys? Are they helping Bloomington attract big events to the Coliseum?
We had Bloomington Gold again, and they left for a bigger location.
It seems we don’t get many new events but invest a lot of resources. It seems Bloomington may be better off investing those large subsidies in “affordable housing” or paying more guarantees for Coliseum events that can draw from out of town to pay our high sales taxes.
That board composition ! Grifters , Poseurs , wanna-be’s and terminally single cat ladies. A motley collection of ne’er-do-wells , but mostly poseurs.
Didn’t Tracy Fulcher just win some award recently? Looking at the board members tells me all I need to know. Tracy has much going for her…and I hope a potential employer reads this and grabs her up! She is super detail oriented, quick learner and a let’s get it done type of person. The board and/or president have made a mistake. Typical Bloomington. Rooting for you Tracy. Employers–grab her! She is available.
Melissa Libert (also) leads WGLT’s marketing, public relations, and development efforts