Central City Hires New York Social Media Consultant to Boost Digital Presence

# Central City Hires New York Social Media Consultant to Boost Digital Presence **Meta Title:** Central City BID Hires NYC Consultant for Social Media Strategy | Register-Call **Meta Description:** Central City Business Improvement District contracts Amaya Bankowski from Brooklyn to coordinate social media, events marketing. $60K investment aims to expand digital reach. **Slug:** central-city-social-media-consultant-amaya-bankowski-bid **Keywords:** Central City BID, social media marketing Central City, Amaya Bankowski, Jeff Hentschel, Central City events, digital marketing Gilpin County, Great Central City Beerfest **Author:** Don Ireland, Senior Reporter **Date:** January 1, 2026 **Category:** Business News, Central City, Marketing, Technology **Featured Image Alt Text:** Amaya Bankowski LinkedIn profile photo - Central City's new social media consultant from Brooklyn, New York --- ## Central City BID Invests in Professional Digital Marketing Strategy Searching online for information about Central City's upcoming festivals and events has been "challenging and sometimes confusing" in recent years. This year, Central City's Business Improvement District and city hall plan to collaborate on a new, targeted social-marketing strategy to draw more attention—and, hopefully, additional visitors—to the "Richest Square Mile on Earth." ### $60,000 Investment in Digital Presence The BID recently contracted with Amaya Bankowski to serve as its social media consultant in 2026. Bankowski, who will work remotely from her office in Brooklyn, New York, will coordinate Central City's events website and Facebook and Instagram posts. **Financial Breakdown:** - BID contribution: $35,000 - City of Central contribution: $25,000 - **Total investment: $60,000** ### The Problem: Inconsistent Online Presence In the past, a variety of local residents and volunteers handled social media posts, which local officials said weren't gaining much attention outside of Gilpin County. For example, anyone seeking information about the BID's 2025 "Great Central City Beerfest" or "Stills in the Hills" events could find dedicated pages for each event. However, the pages contained some recycled and out-of-date information. One online page listed Johnny Z's Casino as a 2025 event sponsor, even though the casino closed in 2022. ### Meet Amaya Bankowski: Professional Marketing Expert BID President Jeff Hentschel explained the decision to hire professional help: "Bankowski is an experienced marketer who has worked with many clients to promote their brands. Central City will benefit from her expertise and strategic work to expand the Central City brand into the digital space. She has a deep understanding of how to reach minds and hearts through engaging content, which will work well for our community. We haven't done much digital marketing before, so we are looking forward to the results of our campaigns, once again promoting Central City as the Richest Square Mile on Earth." ### Bankowski's Professional Background Bankowski holds a **Bachelor of Arts in Advertising** from Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication and has worked in the social media industry for several years. **Career Experience:** - Live Nation - Shabang Music Productions - Avant Gardner - Currently serves as Arts Director for Mr. Kills, a New York-based fine arts school ### Previous Marketing Challenges In 2024, the BID spent nearly $100,000 on radio advertising during the Denver Nuggets' basketball season. The spending raised questions from several locals, who noted that most of Central City's largest festivals and events occur during the summer, not during the Nuggets' regular season from October through April. ### New BID Leadership and Direction Hentschel, who was elected BID president in August 2025, said the board's decision to improve Central's online presence is important. "The BID intends to spend $35,000 on this project, and the city is going to add an additional $25,000 for her [Bankowski's] services." ### How the Consultant Was Selected BID board members approved hiring Bankowski as its consultant based on a recommendation from Spencer, who had researched potential social-media marketing consultants for several months prior to the board's Dec. 16 meeting. Following the decision to retain Bankowski, Spencer remarked, "I came into this group as the thorn [in May]. I don't want to be a thorn. I want this group to be successful." ## New BID Board Members for 2026 As the new year begins, the Central City BID will have three first-time members: **Elected Members (Spring 2025):** - Chuck Spencer - Austin Boulter **Appointed Member (December 2025):** - Shane Reilly of G3 Gaming (replacing longtime president Tom Robb, who retired) **Continuing Board Members:** - Jeff Hentschel (President) - GF Gaming's Easy Street and Famous Bonanza casinos - Travis Reese - RCI Hospitality Holdings ## What to Expect: Strategic Digital Marketing ### Planned Improvements: 1. **Unified Social Media Voice**: Consistent messaging across Facebook and Instagram 2. **Updated Events Calendar**: Current information without outdated references 3. **Professional Content**: Engaging posts designed to reach beyond Gilpin County 4. **Strategic Campaigns**: Targeted advertising for specific events 5. **Brand Expansion**: Growing Central City's digital footprint ### Target Platforms: - Facebook (primary) - Instagram (visual content) - Central City events website (hub for information) ## Central City's Major Events The BID coordinates several major annual events that will benefit from improved marketing: ### Summer Events: - **Great Central City Beerfest** - Craft beer festival - **Stills in the Hills** - Spirits and distillery showcase - **Summer concert series** - **Historic walking tours** ### Year-Round Attractions: - Historic downtown district - Gaming and casino entertainment - Museums and cultural sites - Victorian architecture - Mountain recreation access ## Why Professional Social Media Matters ### Benefits of Professional Management: 1. **Consistency**: Regular posting schedule 2. **Quality Content**: Professional photos and copywriting 3. **Engagement**: Responding to comments and messages 4. **Analytics**: Tracking what works and adjusting strategy 5. **Brand Building**: Creating recognizable identity 6. **ROI Measurement**: Quantifying marketing effectiveness ### Challenges of Volunteer Management: - Inconsistent posting schedules - Varying quality and tone - Outdated information not updated promptly - Limited strategic planning - No performance metrics - Competing priorities ## The Bigger Picture: Central City's Marketing Evolution This investment represents a shift in how Central City approaches marketing and tourism promotion. Rather than relying solely on traditional advertising (radio, billboards), the BID is embracing digital-first strategies that reach audiences where they spend time online. ### Previous Marketing Approaches: - Radio advertising (Denver Nuggets broadcasts) - City-owned billboards along Central City Parkway - Print advertising - Word-of-mouth - Volunteer social media management ### New Digital-First Strategy: - Professional social media management - Targeted online campaigns - Coordinated messaging across platforms - Data-driven decision making - Year-round engagement --- ## About the Central City Business Improvement District The Central City BID is a special taxing district that promotes business and tourism in Central City's commercial district. The organization: - Coordinates major events and festivals - Manages marketing and promotional activities - Supports local businesses - Maintains downtown aesthetics - Collaborates with city government **2026 Board of Directors:** - Jeff Hentschel (President) - Chuck Spencer - Austin Boulter - Shane Reilly - Travis Reese --- ## Expert Opinion: Why This Matters ### The Social Media Landscape in 2026 Professional social media management has become essential for tourism-dependent communities. According to industry research: - **68% of travelers** use social media to research destinations - **76% of people** say user-generated content is more trustworthy than branded content - **Average ROI** of social media marketing is $5.16 for every dollar spent - **Engagement rates** are 10x higher with professional content management ### Small Town Challenges Small mountain communities face unique marketing challenges: - Limited budget compared to major destinations - Seasonal tourism patterns - Competition from nearby communities - Need to reach Front Range audiences - Building year-round relevance Professional management addresses these challenges through strategic, data-driven approaches that maximize limited budgets. --- **Related Stories:** - [Central City BID 2025 Events Review](#) - [Great Central City Beerfest Highlights](#) - [Stills in the Hills: Distillery Showcase](#) - [Central City Tourism Statistics](#) **Follow Central City Online:** - Facebook: [Central City BID page] - Instagram: [Central City BID account] - Events Calendar: [Central City website] **Contact Information:** - Central City BID: [Contact information] - Jeff Hentschel, BID President: [Contact information] - Weekly Register-Call Newsroom: news@weeklyregistercall.com | 303-906-9902 --- *This story was originally published in the Weekly Register-Call print edition, January 1, 2026. The Weekly Register-Call is Colorado's oldest newspaper, established 1862. 2024 Colorado Press Association News Leader.*

Central City Hires New York Social Media Consultant to Boost Digital Presence

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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