CAPE VISITORS BUREAU CHIEF NAMED ALTERNATE TO TOURISM CONFERENCE

Mary F. Miller, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been named the alternate delegate to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism.

Sen. Christopher S. Bond, who named Miller alternate, said she "has been active in many aspects of business and tourism promotion, ranging from local to international involvement."

Miller said she's very pleased by appointment.

"It brings Cape Girardeau into the realm of international attention," she said, adding that it is important the city be recognized as part of the tourism industry.

Tourism is Missouri's second-largest revenue producer, generating more than $2.5 billion in payroll and $888 million indirect state tax revenue annually.

The conference, the first of its kind, is scheduled for Oct. 30 and 31 in Washington. The delegate representing Missouri is Georgianna Bush, chief officer of the Clinton Visitors Bureau.

The conference will focus on the economic impact of travel and industry, the nation's largest business service export and the second-largest employer.

The conference is designed to begin formulating a comprehensive national tourism strategy to help the industry make the transition away from federal assistance.