The Hollister Motorcycle Rally Committee and San Benito County
Chamber of Commerce have started discussions about whether the
chamber should take a stronger role in organizing and promoting the
2008 rally.
The Hollister Motorcycle Rally Committee and San Benito County Chamber of Commerce have started discussions about whether the chamber should take a stronger role in organizing and promoting the 2008 rally.
Chamber members attended the rally committee’s Tuesday night meeting.
“The chamber is really involved with tourism in the county and the City of Hollister,” said Jessica French, the chamber’s executive director. “And we’re interested in keeping tourism alive.”
In early 2006, the Hollister Independence Rally Committee went bankrupt, and no rally was held that year. In October 2006, the Hollister Motorcycle Rally Committee was formed as a nonprofit corporation, with bylaws and a board of directors.
French said the rally committee could become a sub-committee of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber would provide oversight to lend the committee support, French said.
But further discussion is needed.
“Nothing’s official,” French said.
Promoter Seth Doulton said the committee and his company, Horse Power Promotions, have been inviting the chamber to “take a stronger role in the rally” since he became involved.
Doulton said a stronger relationship between the two would benefit local residents and businesses. He said discussions so far have been about a cohesive partnership.
“The rally has to be good for the residents and the businesses,” Doulton said. “And then it has to be good for the bikers.”
Robert Scattini, who sits on the rally committee, said he suggested the chamber be more involved when he was a city council member.
“It would be better organized,” Scattini said. “And you’d have the business people involved.”
