HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCDATE=SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 (11) r
The Hemmens Cultural Center Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
September 11, 2008
Advisory Board Members Present: Pete Garlock, Jeff Grosser, Rich Jacobs, Cathy Maim,
Kevin Patterson and City Council Member John Steffen.
Board Members Absent: Kathleen Weber
Chairperson: Jeff Grosser
Staff Present: Butch Wilhelmi, Bill Folk, Patrick Raddatz and Sally Ryan
The regularly scheduled September 11, 2008 meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm. Rich
moved to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2008 meeting. Motion seconded by Kevin.
Minutes were unanimously approved.
Gift Requests
Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia — Unanimously Opposed/Declined
Chicago Area Peace Corps Assn. — Unanimously Approved/Passed
Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets, St. Charles — Unanimously Approved/Passed
Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation, St. Charles-- Unanimously Approved/Passed
Jeff welcomed City Council Member John Steffen to the Board.
Items of Discussion from Hemmens' Staff
Bill gave an update on the season. Ticket sales are very soft. He is hearing the same from a
lot of other area venues as well. Cirque Mechanics Birdhouse Factory sales are not
particularly good; however, Capitol Steps is doing quite well.
Bill has a lot of ads running right now both in print and electronically. Hemmens ads are
running on several Comcast stations as well as several radio stations. He has ads in the
Herald pretty regularly, but plans on cutting back on the print ads as they are not cost effective.
He will maintain a small presence there.
Rich suggested dinner theatre packages with local restaurants might help increase ticket
sales. Restaurants are struggling in these economic times too. Bill said it is a good idea but
Hemmens does not have the staffing to mange that sort of project, nor does he have the time.
John Steffen advised that Tonya Hudson, Executive Director of the Downtown Neighborhood
Association, started a restaurant sub-committee and would be a good point person for such an
endeavor. Bill will contact Tonya to explore the possibilities.