Fire Brick Center of the World. Main Street of the Midwest. Brick City. Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World. Home of the Miss Missouri Pageant. County Seat of Audrain County. Whatever you call Mexico, MO., over 11,000 people call it home.

One way Mexico welcomes its newest residents is through “Hello Mexico!”, a campaign hosted by the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

When the program first began, a “Hello Mexico!” hostess visited new residents at their homes with a bag full of promotional items from the local businesses.

The program started long before current Chamber of Commerce Director, Dana Keller, took charge, but she can appreciate its value all the same.

“We definitely know that people pay attention and they do get a benefit from it because sometimes people will circle back and ask us information about something they found in the bags,” Keller explains

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how many viewed the program and for a while, it stopped all together.

“During COVID, we couldn’t really go in and out of people’s houses and as the years progressed it has gotten a little bit harder for people to let people they don’t know come into their homes,” says Keller.

So Keller and the Chamber of Commerce board members “modernized” the program and will be rolling out the newly revitalized campaign this year. New residents will be able to collect their bags at the Chamber of Commerce office or through their realtor.

For local businesses and organizations, this is an opportunity to reach 100 new Mexico residents, build their brand recognition and receive quarterly “follow-up lists” of new households for valuable insight.

“Faith based organizations can also participate,” Keller adds.

The campaign officially begins in June and will continue until the Chamber of Commerce reaches 100 residents, which typically takes 12 to 18 months.

To include your business or organization in the program, you must first fill out the, “Hello Mexico!” participation contract in addition to paying a $100 fee. The promotions included in the welcome canvas tote bag can be anything including brochures, letters and information about the organization.

“We’ve already had people calling in, signing up and working on what they would like to put in the bag, so that’s exciting,” says Keller.

Contracts, which can be found in the February Chamber of Commerce newsletter, “Mainstreet News”, or at the Chamber of Commerce at 100 W. Jackson St., must be returned with payment by May 1.

“It’s a good way for community members to, right off the bat, find reliable services or Chamber members to engage with,” says Keller.