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Springfield, MO
The Missouri Division of Tourism increased the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau’s marketing funding source.
CVB Marketing Director Sean Dixon said the local organization was awarded $294,765 to promote Greene, Christian and Polk counties to potential visitors. That’s up from $196,500 last year, but down from the more than $400,000 received prior to budget withholdings by former Gov. Eric Greitens.
The CVB, in turn, put in $314,466, bringing its total marketing budget to $609,231.
“We always match and then exceed the match,” Dixon said, acknowledging the funding level is still lower than in previous years. “This does represent positive direction in the state legislature.”
A news release from Rep. Lynn Morris, R-Nixa, announcing the funding increase stated the Division of Tourism funds may be used for media advertising, search-engine marketing and investments in an approved marketing platform.
Dixon said the bulk of the Springfield CVB’s media advertising will be placed in the spring.
“We’ll have small reimbursements throughout the year,” he said. “It allows us to collaborate and coordinate our schedules better.”
Missouri, according to Morris’ office, had a $16.8 billion economic impact from the tourism industry in fiscal 2017. During the recently completed fiscal year, tourism-related employment was measured at more than 313,000 jobs and the state brought in a record 42 million visitors.
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