By HOLLY GASKILL
On the tail end of the total solar eclipse, the Wells County Convention and Visitors Commission celebrated the opportunity for tourism and outreach.
The eclipse, as well as many local eclipse-watching events, brought visitors from across the country and globe, as well as those throughout Indiana.
“We should do this every other year,” quipped board member Steve Higgins.
Jay Esparza, representing Ossian Parks, reported roughly 800 people were at Ossian’s event at Archbold-Wilson Park. Most were from Allen County, which fell just outside of the path of totality. Bluffton Parks Superintendent Brandy Fiechter said the parking lot of Lancaster Park was full and then some. Vehicles also parked along both sides of the Rivergreenway, many of which were from Allen County and Michigan.
Tourism Coordinator Audry Dudley had heard several businesses in the county were overflowing with visitors. Board member Zane Herr of Dash-90 Wines said the day was very fruitful for the business, which sold a special “total blackout berry” wine slushie.
The Wells County Commerce and Visitors Centre had a “very busy day,” Dudley said, directing visitors and selling eclipse glasses.
Higgins said he was out helping at Ouabache State Park and spoke with someone who lived in Huntington County. “She said before she started researching about the eclipse she never knew Ouabache State Park existed — “No, really,” he said. “It’s like, wow, we need a light in the sky or something.”
“That’s the point of this, right?” smiled Executive Director of Economic Development Chad Kline, referring to the commission.
The commission expressed hope that the event had promoted local attractions to neighboring counties, bringing a long-lasting benefit to northeast Indiana tourism.
Additionally, they emphasized that events took place generally without a hitch. Higgins noted that even clean-up at Ouabache, which was full by noon, was fairly minimal.
The commission will have more concrete data regarding the tourism impact in several months when they receive a collection of the innkeeper’s tax, a 5% tax on temporary overnight stays in Wells County. Many area overnight accommodations were booked through the weekend before the eclipse, Dudley said.
Looking forward, the board discussed what tourism assets seemed missing among the visitors. Several board members stated it would be helpful to have postcard advertisements of local attractions or a QR code for the tourism website. Michelle Blount, who operates a local Airbnb, said the items would be helpful to leave for her guests as well.
The group said a billboard on a main highway in Allen County would increase organizational awareness. Dudley also said the updated visitor guide would soon be completed; the magazine was set back after the designer lost her home in a tornado.
With Kline’s last day with the organization on Friday, he also affirmed that the commission’s work would continue. He said some projects and priorities under Economic Development could be picked up by the visitors commission, like including talent attraction in visitor attraction. He also stated that marketing materials contracted with LC Media through Economic Development would be delivered to the visitors commission.
Kline also anticipated the visitors commission working more with northeast Indiana economic development. Dudley added, “A thought we usually have to reframe for people is that visitors and residents don’t usually care about county lines … they’re looking at the region and what that benefit is to their families.”
They also noted that Dudley’s email address would soon change but that her Economic Development email would remain active during the transition.
Board members present were Esparza, Fiechter, Higgins, Herr, Blount and Scott Elzey; Jon Winne, Jeff Reed and Justin Osborne were absent.
The board’s next meeting is 8 a.m. May 8 at the Wells County Commerce and Visitors Centre.
holly@news-banner.com
