Monroe Bank Prime Time Program

Monroe Bank Prime Time Program is a largely Bloomington based travel and social club of 6,000 customers age 50 or better.  Prime Time will be creating a merchant discount card to be distributed to all its members.  It is their goal to create additional value to Prime Time  Club Members and generate increased traffic and business for participating merchants.  An attractive discount would provide the key to drawing Prime Timers to your business.  An example of  a discount might be 10% Off all merchandise or services, "buy one, get one free" or "buy one get one half price", free item with purchase and so on.

All interested members should contact Bill Bennett, Monroe Bank Prime Time Manager at 331.3413 or email bennettb@monroebank.com  More information regarding Monroe Bank's Prime Time Program can be found on their website,  www.monroebank.com/primetime.html

Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology partners with IU and Indiana Main Street to host the Annual Cornelius O'Brien - Indiana Main Street Conference.  This statewide conference is the official forum for preservation and downtown issues in Indiana.  This year's conference will be in Bloomington October 16-18, 2008.

Relevant session topics are chosen based on the host community.  Speakers regularly include preservationists from around the state as well as national figures.  The conference features an open reception, plenary and concurrent sessions, a keynote speaker and tours of preservation highlights in the host community.  Some sessions are free and open to the public while other require a registration fee.  Please keep these dates in mind.  Closer toward the conference specific topics and tours will be posted on our website.  Anyone interested in volunteering to help with tours or sessions during the conference please contact our office at 336.3681.

Indiana Foodways Alliance

Bloomington has recently become a partner member of the Indiana Foodways Alliance.  The IFA strives to promote culinary tourism through the development of culinary trails, a product recognition program, educational events, and an oral history component.  Bloomington and the Indiana Foodways Alliance will work to increase food-related tourism and the excellence in culinary pursuits in and around Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington has worked with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Bloomington, Inc.; SlowFoods Bloomington; The Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau; and the Bloomington Restaurant Association to bring Bloomington to the forefront of culinary tourism in Indiana. 

Culinary tourism can be both urban and rural.  It includes restaurants, wineries, breweries, old-style diners, road-side stands and farmers markets.  All of these attractions offer food products that are an expression of local culture.  Together they create a food identity for a town, region or a state.

"Good food translates into good business for Indiana tourism," Susan Haller, IFA Executive Director said.  According to the 2006 Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism in Indiana, travelers spent $2.06 billion in Indiana Restaurants in 2004, generating $103 million in sales tax revenues for the state.  The National Restaurant Association reports that every $1 spent in Indiana restaurants generates an additional $1.19 in sales for other industries in the state.  What's more, each  additional $1 million spent in eating and drinking places in Indiana generates additional 45.6 jobs in the state.