CVB Travel: State tourism budget facing $5.5 million funding cut

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When it comes to persuading people to visit Springfield, the Convention & Visitors Bureau uses every resource available.|ret||ret||tab|

That's why the CVB recently submitted two applications one for leisure markets, the other for meetings and conventions markets to the Division of Tourism's 2003 Cooperative Marketing Program, an annual process resulting in matching funds for the bureau's marketing efforts.|ret||ret||tab|

The largest application is for an $800,000 leisure advertising campaign, with $400,000 provided by the CVB and its partners and the remainder matched by the Division of Tourism.|ret||ret||tab|

Funding for $103,291 in meetings and convention marketing projects also was requested, with $51,646 provided by the CVB and partners and the remainder matched by the Division of Tourism. The projects include a sales blitz, technology enhancements, trade-show booth im-provements and familiarization tours for meeting planners.|ret||ret||tab|

Those state funds could be at risk this year because the Division of Tourism stands to lose $2.5 million to $5.5 million in funding due to proposed budget cuts, which could affect the Cooperative Marketing Program.|ret||ret||tab|

"A cut in marketing programs could cause a decline in visitors," said Tracy Kimberlin, CVB executive director. "A decline in visitors would result in cuts in tourism-related jobs and a hit to the local economy."|ret||ret||tab|

It's estimated more than 2 million people visit Springfield and spend more than $500 million in the city annually. More than 11,000 people are employed in tourism-related jobs in Springfield. In Missouri, travel and tourism is a $12.5 billion industry that creates more than 250,000 jobs. Kimberlin said the investment the CVB makes in marketing pays off for Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

The 2001 E-Visitor Profile study, conducted by consultant Jerry Henry, found that the average party spends $641 while visiting the city. A 1999 study conducted by the Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center also found that for every $1 the Springfield CVB spends on advertising, visitors spend $20.66.|ret||ret||tab|

Making sure the return on investment continues to be high and the local tourism industry continues to thrive has become even more important since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.|ret||ret||tab|

While some cities are still seeing fewer visitors than in previous years, Spring-field has recovered well, a trend the CVB wants to see continue.|ret||ret||tab|

"Keeping the Division of Tourism's funding intact is vital for Springfield and nonprofit destination marketing agencies across the state," Kimberlin said.|ret||ret||tab|

With that in mind, Kimberlin is keeping an eye on the state Senate where the issue is on the floor then headed to a Conference Committee. Once the budget leaves the committee, it goes to the governor who can approve or veto the bill.|ret||ret||tab|

If the governor vetoes the entire bill, the Division of Tourism's budget would see a $5.5 million cut, the amount initially proposed. The amount changed, however, as the bill moved through the House and Senate.|ret||ret||tab|

In April, Sen. Doyle Childers offered an amendment to take $2 million from the Missouri Lottery's advertising budget and appropriate it to tourism.|ret||ret||tab|

Childers wants $170,000 of the funding to go toward advertising the Missouri State Fair for its 100th anniversary celebration this year. The House earlier approved a $1 million restoration to the division's budget.|ret||ret||tab|

(Susan Wade is public relations manager for the Springfield Conven-tion & Visitors Bureau.)[[In-content Ad]]