Business owners and city officials stressed the importance of communication Thursday, in a meeting called to better prepare the establishments for the influx of guests preparing to come to Selma for events in the next few weeks.

Drawing from lessons learned during last month’s state track meet, Mayor George Evans told those in attendance the importance of working together to ensure the businesses and city are all on the same page.

“I don’t think any of you, in recent times, have seen so many people here in Selma,” Evans said, referencing the crowd brought in by the track meet. “The hospitality and the reception was wonderful. But now you need to try to find ways to put banners in front of your hotels and businesses saying, ‘Welcome to Our City.’ It’s the little things that send a message that show that we appreciate them being here.”

Evans said the hospitality organizations must team up in order to make things happen for the city.

“We truly have a wonderful, historical city and, if we can get past some other issues in terms of how we get along, and get this black and white stuff out of it, and focus on how we treat one another, it’s going to make a difference,” Evans said. “I’m convinced its gotten better. I know its gotten better. I’m not saying we’re there, there’s a lot of work to be done, but I can see so many good things happening in Selma.”

Early projections show the Cabela’s fishing tournament in September will bring a $850,000 impact on Selma, so businesses and restaurants must be sure to be properly staffed and prepared for the increased number of patrons headed their way, Elton Reece, director of the city’s Recreation Department, said.

Beverly Rooks, from the New Orleans Bar and Grill, said she attended Thursday’s meeting to help promote both Selma and the restaurant.

“This was effective,” Rooks said. “[We learned] we need to put banners up, communicate with the people coming in to let them know that we’re here, welcome them and let them know we appreciate them and prepare our service in our restaurant to handle the loads of people coming in.”

Like Rooks, Joyce Harris, a broker with Covenant Realty, said she learned a lot from the meeting.

“I’m trying to sell a hotel here in town, the Hospitality Inn, and I want to make sure that we’re ready,” Harris said. “When we’ve got people coming to town, this place could be booming. It was a great meeting and I appreciate [the Chamber and the city of Selma]. If we know what’s coming, then we can properly prepare.”