At the June 3, 1971 Board of Directors Meeting of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, a report was given by Joe Browning concerning retail, recreation, and industrial promotion of the area. A four day festival in conjunction with the official opening of Rend Lake in 1972 was discussed. A committee of retailers, who became known as the Benton Promotion Association, were led by a Chamber of Commerce steering committee. This included Joe Browning, Robert Taylor, Howard Payne, and Clarence Barton.