Mundelein now ready to join Visit Lake County
After years working on a new image, Mundelein officials are ready to take the message to a larger audience.
Trustees informally have agreed to become a paying member of Visit Lake County, formerly called the convention and visitors bureau, to better showcase the community and its attributes, amenities and activities.
"I think we had other things to do to get our house in order before we stepped forward to increase our footprint in the marketing area," Village Administrator John Lobaito told the village board this week. "I think we're at that point."
Lobaito's observation followed a presentation by Maureen Riedy, Visit Lake County president, who for years has been trying to persuade the village to join.
She said the organization's marketing strategies and opportunities, such as the popular calendar of events, social media campaigns and visitors guide, would enhance the village's ongoing effort to rebrand itself.
Travel-related spending last year in Lake County was $1 billion, she said, and visitor spending generated $27 million in local taxes.
Becoming a member would help create demand, she added.
"I think it will help increase visitor spending here in Mundelein and help sustain local businesses and jobs and help build your local economy and generate tax revenues for Mundelein," Riedy said.
She emphasized the organization's strong social media presence, noting it has 38,000 followers on Facebook.
"We have a lot of followers who are looking for last-minute things to do in Lake County, and I think we can do a lot to promote the events here in Mundelein," Riedy said.
In recent years, the village has taken several steps to improve its image and "brand," including a new logo and revamped website. Its "brand promise," prominently located on the village home page, is to be the premier location for entrepreneurs in central Lake County and be known as a welcoming community.
Dawn Jenich, who was hired nearly three years ago by the village to head its communications and marketing efforts, said the village board wanted to ensure the communications and marketing infrastructure was in place before joining a promotional group like Visit Lake County.
"I just think it was good timing," Jenich said of the directive.
Trustees unanimously agreed to pursue an agreement to be considered at a board meeting no later than July 11. Mundelein's fee would be $11,500.
"It's not a small investment. But for that money, (Visit Lake County) does a lot and offers a lot and kind of puts Mundelein on the map with other communities," Jenich said.