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Mid America Veterans Museum requests $92,500 from O'Fallon CVB to fund 2026 marketing push
Summary
At the July 23 O'Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau meeting, Nina D'Angelo of the Mid America Veterans Museum requested $92,500 to launch a regional 2026 marketing campaign aimed at a 35% increase in visitation; the board took the request under advisement for the August budget meeting.
Nina D'Angelo, representing the Mid America Veterans Museum, asked the O'Fallon Convention & Visitors Bureau on July 23 for $92,500 to start an “aggressive marketing plan” for 2026 intended to expand regional awareness and boost visitor spending in O'Fallon.
D'Angelo said the campaign would amplify outreach within a five‑hour driving radius and rely on paid digital ads, public‑relations outreach, influencer coverage and in‑person micro events at the museum. “Our request today is for $92,500 in funding so that we can start an aggressive marketing plan,” she said. She noted the museum secured a $10,000 Google Ads grant but that grant does not cover other social platforms or broader campaign costs.
The museum’s stated objectives include a 35% increase in visitation — from roughly 2,000 annual visitors to about 2,700 — more overnight stays at local hotels, and a 20% growth in its donor base. D'Angelo outlined event programming for 2026, including a gala, music bingo and a large commemoration tied to the fifth anniversary of local veterans’ involvement in the August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal; she said the museum expects its Fall In '13 weekend to draw 300–400 visitors this year.
Board members asked whether the $92,500 was a one‑time request and what contracted consultants would do. D'Angelo said the amount was intended as a startup figure and she expects future needs to be smaller and shared with regional partners; a $20,000 consultant line in the proposal would cover creative strategy, ad management and AB testing for the Google Ads grant and other platforms.
No vote was taken on the funding request at the meeting. Board members said the proposal would be reviewed ahead of the CVB budget discussion next month; one member explicitly said the request would be taken under advisement for the August budget meeting.
What happens next: The museum’s request will be considered during the CVB’s forthcoming budget process; board members asked for follow‑up details by email and expressed interest in reviewing additional financial and outreach metrics before any commitment.
