Charis Patires
charis.patires@lakemediaonline.com
A letter written by Osage Beach Mayor Penny Lyons spurred a conversation among Tri-County Lodging Association board members that resulted in the formation of a committee that will look into how to educate the public and increase public relations.
The letter, sent to lake area media, was on the agenda for discussion at a TCLA meeting Thursday. In the letter, Lyons said it has been voters and residents that are to credit for making the city a positive retail destination by supporting infrastructure and the Prewitt Point TIF.
The letter was in response to a comment made by TCLA president Bill Johnson who said it was promotional efforts that brought in developers to the lake area as well as people buying condos and second homes.
TCLA board member Don Welch pointed out he felt the letter was written “out of ignorance” about what TCLA does, what they want to do and what they legally can do. He expressed support to form a committee that would deal specifically with building local public relations.
TCLA board members said instead of going on the attack, they recognize inadequacies within their organization about getting information out to the public and plan on making efforts to improve that by letting residents and officials know what TCLA does and its impact.
In addition to the general public, local officials, chambers, and state senators and representatives should also be kept informed, Johnson said.
“We have got to do our own housekeeping, and that is part of it,” he said.
A committee has been formed and will meet Tuesday at Quail’s Nest Resort at 11 a.m.
Another project TCLA may be looking to is the possiblity of a tourism tax. CVB director Tim Jacobsen discussed a tourism tax with Branson officials while attending the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureau annual meeting held in Kansas City earlier this month.
At the meeting, Jacobsen and the director of the Branson Lakes CVB/Chamber talked about the process the city had used to gain additional monies for promoting their area.
A meeting to discuss the issue further could take place in the fall.
About TCLA
TCLA is funded by money collected from a tax imposed on overnight room nights in Camden, Miller and Morgan counties.
TCLA currently collects between $1.5 and $1.6 million each year in the three districts that are included in TCLA. Of the three, Camden County is the largest business district.
In 2008, TCLA asked voters in all three counties to approve an increase from three to five percent. It passed in Miller County.
The initiative failed at the polls earlier this year when it was placed back on the ballot but only in Camden County. TCLA uses the money to advertise the area, sponsor special events and other promotional efforts.
