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Council urges Aurora CVB briefing after members complain businesses aren’t onboarded
Summary
Councilors and residents raised concerns about the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s slow onboarding of Geneva businesses despite the city’s payments; aldermen requested a status update and an in-person presentation rather than immediate punitive action.
During the municipal-bills discussion and later under new business, several council members and residents questioned the performance of the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), which Geneva contracted to promote the city.
Alderman Bruno and others noted a payable to the Aurora CVB for $16,594 included in the bills run and questioned why Geneva businesses were not fully listed on the CVB website months after the agreement. “I just wanted to point out I’m disappointed in the onboarding of Geneva businesses on their website,” Alderman Bruno said, noting staff had attributed delays to a staffing shortage.
City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the council the CVB had experienced a staff death and was replacing personnel; she also said CVB staff had generated some bookings and marketing activity. Dawkins said the CVB has done outreach, is running a social media campaign and had recently participated in trade-show activity that included Geneva attractions.
Alderman Becky Ruby proposed requesting a three-month extension of the CVB contract at no charge to the city to compensate for the delay; staff and other aldermen cautioned that formal action could not be taken during that meeting’s public-comment sequence and that a presentation from the CVB and a status report from staff would be appropriate first steps. “I would like to propose that we request a 3 month extension from the CVB of their services,” Ruby said; the council later agreed to invite the CVB to provide a formal update.
Several aldermen, including Bruno, Swanson and Bowering, recommended against punitive measures without a fuller briefing. “I don't want to be punitive until I know more details,” Bruno said. Others emphasized that website listings are only one part of CVB services; Bowering noted the CVB’s role includes attracting overnight visitors and coordinating campaigns to bring people downtown.
City staff said the chamber and city maintain business listings and that not all Geneva businesses would appear on the CVB site (which highlights tourism attractions, hotels and event-related businesses). Staff promised to invite the CVB to an upcoming council meeting and to provide a fuller report to the council and finance staff on onboarding progress and deliverables.
Ending: The council did not take immediate contractual action but asked staff to arrange a formal CVB presentation and to report back with details on onboarding, deliverables and any possible remedies or extensions.
