Kim Miers of the Mansfield/ Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) was the guest speaker during the monthly meeting for the Ontario Growth Association (OGA) and OGA President David Yaney gave updates on events that will be occurring.
Miers is the Marketing/Meetings Director at the CVB and she presented the variety of areas the CVB covers regarding tourism.
“Our focus is on tourism for the traveler and economic development for the area. We want people to have Mansfield on their minds,” said Miers. The CVB works closely with North Central State College and Ohio State University-Mansfield developing intern programs.
“This area is rich in recreation, history, paranormal, and motor sports. Tourism is the fourth largest employer in our area,” said Miers.
The CVB provides information that can benefit both locals and tourists. “Our job is to connect the dots. We want to make it easier for people to know where they can go to find what they need. When the Tough Mudder was here last year, there were about 15,000 people in attendance and we want to connect them to the community,” said Miers.
Other popular attractions for tourists are the Shawshank Trail and paranormal sites. “During Labor Day weekend, we had over 5,000 come to Mansfield for the 20th anniversary of the Shawshank Redemption and we have paranormal properties that draw in numbers,” said Miers. “We want to help people get connected to the area as much as possible and show them how much there is offered right here,” said Miers.
Yaney discussed the Candidates Night that will be held on October 10 at 6 p.m. at the Ontario High School Auditorium. During Candidates Night, there will be a debate between the mayoral candidates and council candidates running for election. The event is free of charge and it will allow community members to receive the candidates’ views on topics.
Ontario’s Fall Festival will be held on October 26 from 12-5 p.m. at the Richland Mall. “The Richland Mall is a huge part of this event and last year we had about 350 people in attendance. We had a great turnout. This year we will have carnival games. We have spoken with magicians about attending, and we will have trick or treating,” said Yaney.
In addition to OGA and the mall, the event is also sponsored by the Commnity Bible Church.
Yaney also noted that a Fortune 500 company that will be established in the Industrial Park that will bring between 150-200 jobs.
A food drive will take place on October 25 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help re-stock local pantries. Drop off’s will be located at Graham Auto Mall on 1515 West Fourth Street in Mansfield, Kroger’s on 1500 Lexington Avenue in Mansfield, Kroger’s on 1060 Ashland Road in Mansfield, and Kroger’s on 1240 Park Avenue West in Mansfield. Pantries for donations will include the Salvation Army, Domestic Violence Shelter, Volunteers of America, Harmony House, Catholic Charities, and Butler Clear Fork Nutrition Center. For more information call Doc Stumbo at 419-529-1800 extension 0 or fax 419-529-1887.
“Our focus is on tourism for the traveler and economic development for the area. We want people to have Mansfield on their minds,” said Kim Miers as she spoke about the Mansfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
