*Photo by Discover St. Charles
DO YOU LOVE SAINT CHARLES! Then this one is for you.
Not an event guide, but still something you will want to do. Buckle up, I promise you will want to read till the end.
Hello friends,
I don’t often step into politics here, but this moment is too important for the future of St. Charles. There is a proposed restructuring at City Hall that would combine our nationally recognized and award-winning Tourism Department with Special Events.
On the surface, this may sound like a small change. But as someone who welcomes visitors daily through my shop, and as a member of the Tourism Commission, I’ve seen what happens when departments are merged or restructured, even with the best intentions and seemingly common goals - One side always suffers. And if that side is tourism, our small businesses, our festivals, and ultimately our city’s revenue will feel the impact.
Tourism is one of St. Charles’ strongest assets. Visitors bring fresh energy and crucial sales tax dollars. Tourists spend differently than locals.
FUN FACT! When you’re on vacation, calories and dollars don’t count! That’s why our tourism team must remain led by tourism experts who understand how to market our city, grow our reputation, and keep St. Charles thriving.
Many rumors are going around, and I personally can’t confirm everything that’s been said. I can only speak to what I’ve seen and heard personally: I have never heard the Mayor say he wants to end Christmas Traditions or Legends & Lanterns. What I do know is that he has suggested changes to the events that I feel would take away from what makes these festivals unique, successful, and shift the focus away from Main Street.
What’s really at stake is whether St. Charles continues to lead as a destination city. Weakening tourism would be a costly mistake in the short term and a devastating one in the long term.
I’m sharing this because I care deeply about our community, our businesses, and the visitors who keep Main Street vibrant. I hope you’ll join me in paying attention to this issue.
Below, I'll share some key facts about how tourism supports St. Charles, along with simple, actionable steps you can take today to make a difference.