The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce has published its first tourism guide, “Images of Simi Valley, California.” The glossy magazine lists hotels, tourism attractions, events and a list of movies produced in the area. More than 7,500 copies were distributed at hotels, area malls and cultural attractions and the content is available online at imagessimivalley.com. Leigh Nixon, Simi Valley Chamber president and CEO said the idea for the magazine was born after the chamber realized it wasn’t tapping into the region’s growing tourism business from nearby Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library, which in the fall of 2005, installed a new exhibit featuring the presidential plane, Air Force One. “The Ronald Reagan has always been an attraction for us, but when the Air Force One Pavilion opened, we noticed an influx of people,” she said. The throngs of out-of-towners were only visiting the museum and not spending a dime at local restaurants or shops. “They just went to the pavilion, then went home,” she said. So, the chamber partnered with Journal Communications Inc., a Franklin, Tenn.-based publishing company that specializes in destination and community travel magazines under the “Images” label to create a magazine that would tell visitors why they should stick around. “We’re excited about working with Leigh and all the folks at the Simi Valley Chamber,” said Ray Langen, Journal executive vice president. Chamber staff and members came up with ideas for the photos and articles, which were then compiled by Journal Communications. The company also sold the ads, offsetting costs. In fact, the chamber itself shelled out no money for the magazine, and might actually turn a profit on it, Nixon said. “It didn’t cost us a dime,” she said. With issues just hitting the stands, Nixon is already hearing from advertisers and chamber members pleased with the publication and the exposure. “I have gotten so many phone calls. We’re just delighted that we’re getting such a response,” she said. “We’re quite surprised.”
