City Council Study Session | May 18, 2026

The City of Casa Grande held a City Council Study Session on May 18, 2026, focusing primarily on updates and discussions related to the destination marketing organization (DMO) managed by the local chamber of commerce. The presentation detailed the DMO's marketing efforts funded through a $50,000 city budget matched by grants from the Arizona Office of Tourism, resulting in over $90,000 annually for advertising campaigns including print, digital, billboards, and event sponsorships. The DMO highlighted various initiatives such as the Taco Trail passport program, local event marketing, and a signature event series, with discussions emphasizing the need for better tracking of return on investment and visitor origin data to optimize spending. Additionally, the session included a briefing on the ongoing update of the city's 50-year-old sign code, addressing regulatory compliance, signage types, and maintenance standards, with council members providing feedback on balancing business needs and community aesthetics. No formal votes or contract awards were reported during the session, but the discussions indicated potential future procurement related to marketing services and signage regulation implementation.