Dean Williams said he wasn’t surprised, he was “SHOCKED” ?at the 400 people who attended the second meeting Jan. 19 of the new, private Springfield Film Commission.
The SFC founder/executive director attributed many of the guests at the SRO meeting to ReelChicago’s widespread readership and the interest in developing production in Central Illinois.
While an estimated 175 of the 400 came from the Springfield, “the others came from all over,” including industry suppliers from suburban Addison and St. Louis, and a Tucson couple who plan to relocate to Springfield.
Guests packed the board room of the Illinois Municipal League. “The room holds several hundred people,” said Williams, “and it was mobbed. Every seat was taken; people were standing along the walls. It humbled me.”
