TOURISM ADVISORY BOART COMTEMPLATES FUND REQUEST POLICY

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board has voted to adopt a fund request policy.

"We have had numerous funding requests recently," said Juan Crites, a member of the advisory board. "I think the board needs to hold a special meeting and discuss a funding policy."

The funding policy, an area attractions meeting, representation on the Cape Girardeau Bicentennial planning committee, and an upcoming meeting on tourism attractions were among items discussed during the monthly meeting of the board Wednesday at City Hall.

The advisory board voted to delay all funding requests until a policy could be adopted. "This is something we discussed during a special retreat session held recently," said Crites.

Although no specific timetable was established, committee members said that a new policy could be adopted within 60 days.

"We still want people to come before our group and discuss any plans they have," said member Pete Poe. "We just won't be able to make any funding decisions at this time."

Letters have been submitted to several tourism and visitor groups over a wide area of the Midwest in an effort to find out those groups' criteria for funding.

"We want to know what type of events other tourism and visitor bureaus fund," said Crites.

Members of the advisory board will attend the City Council meeting May 6 to discuss recommendations for funding the River Heritage Mural Association.

The association requested $8,200 for painting and future maintenance of a mural along the outside of the downtown flood wall. The mural would stretch from the Broadway floodgate to the Themis Street floodgate. The advisory board proposed to offer $5,000 in a cash donation, and another $2,000 that would be held in escrow for necessary maintenance.

Beverly Estes, a member of the advisory board, and Ruth Moreland, a member of the Paddlewheelers tourism group, have agreed to monitor future plans and arrangements of the Bicentennial Commission.

Laurel Adkisson, a member of the C & V Bureau staff, told the advisory board that a tourism attraction meeting would be held May 1 at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce office.

"We've invited 23 area people to attend the 4 p.m. meeting to discuss their attractions and promotions," said Adkisson.

Adkisson also reminded the group that May 5-11 is National Tourism Week.

"We'll be going to the Missouri Information Center at Marston on May 10 to promote our area," she said. "Anyone who wants to go and help will be welcome. And anyone wanting to send coupons, brochures, and special-event flyers can contact the C & V Bureau, 335-3312."

Lyn Muzzy, bureau director, was attending the Group Leaders of America gathering in St. Louis Wednesday and couldn't attend the C & V meeting.

But in a written report, Muzzy noted that May will be a big month for conventions and meetings here.

Included on the list are meetings of the Woodmen of the World, May 3-5; International Association of Auditorium Managers, May 5-8; Missouri Restaurant Association, May 7; United Community Travelers, May 16-18; Daughters of Isabella, May 17-19; and United Pentecostal Regional Youth Meeting, May 29-31.

Cathy Crites of the C & V Bureau staff reminded advisory board members that the remainder of the meetings this year will be held at City Hall, 401 Independence.