Monmouth Independence Area Chamber outlines visitor guide, accessibility push and regional marketing plans

Mackenzie Carroll, representing the Monmouth Independence Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, told the Monmouth City Council on July 1 that the chamber has published a redesigned visitors guide and is pursuing expanded regional distribution and accessibility improvements. "We just redid our visitors guide," Carroll said, adding the guide includes itineraries, events and a cover photo showcasing downtown Monmouth.

Carroll said the city provides $5,000 annually to support the visitor center and that the chamber files two formal reports a year to the city. She told council the visitor guide launch in June resulted in about 1,500 printed guides distributed and that the chamber has begun allowing people to order guides online; since launch, she said, the chamber has mailed about 15 guides to out-of-area requests in Washington, Idaho and Virginia.

The chamber is pursuing destination marketing grants and said it has five hours of consulting secured through a grant obtained at a April tourism conference to develop an accessibility checklist for local businesses. "We're looking at accessibility for our businesses so we can look at wheelchair accessibility," Carroll said, naming the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce as a partner on that consulting work.

Councilors asked about stronger ties with Western Oregon University to reach campus visitors. Councilor Kerrey suggested adding a link to the visitor guide on key university pages such as athletics; Carroll said she is expanding tabling and collaboration with university events and admissions so campus visitors are informed about downtown Monmouth offerings. "We are starting to provide visitors guides for people who are coming in for the admission tours," Carroll said.

Councilor Ridgeway and others praised the chamber's digital reach and asked about demographic gaps in engagement; Carroll said the chamber is considering targeted campaigns and that much of the recent social-media growth was organic. Councilor Lopez asked whether the chamber would resume candidate forums; Carroll said the chamber is developing an advocacy policy and recently held an informational "levy night" with the Dallas Chamber as a first step.

Carroll also described upcoming summer events including a taste-tour, a legislative-focused networking event with representatives Paul Evans and Anna Scharf, and a Golden Gala in August, all of which the chamber classifies as tourism-promotional. "We've been sharing city events, events that's happening in our community to encourage people to come and see what's going on," Carroll said.

Councilors suggested additions to the guide (for example, listing Juneteenth) and recommended stronger distribution through university athletics and arts pages to capture visiting families and spectators. Carroll said she will follow up with university contacts and with the city on suggested web links.

The presentation concluded with council thanks to Carroll and the chamber for the work to market Monmouth to visitors and to improve accessibility.