Cape visitors bureau volunteer retiring after 25 years of service

After 25 years of welcoming visitors to Cape Girardeau, Anita Meinz welcomed friends to the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau for her last day on the job Tuesday.

Meinz, 87, has been volunteering as a greeter at the Convention and Visitors Bureau ever since she was asked to help create it in 1984.

"She is the face of Cape Girardeau, and we all know that," city clerk Gayle Conrad said at the reception to recognize Meinz's retirement. "I don't know what we're going to do without her."

Meinz is from Pasadena, Calif., but she said she does not like to admit she is not a native of Cape Girardeau. She has spent the past 53 years here and was often the first face people saw when they arrived for a visit.

"I just love Cape. I love the people in it. I think we're so fortunate," Meinz said.

As a greeter and receptionist with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Meinz helped visitors find information about services and activities in Cape Girardeau. She provided tours of the city. She was also the first person to greet passengers on the riverboats, the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen, whenever they docked in Cape Girardeau.

"Well, I just thought it was wonderful fun," Meinz said.

Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Chuck Martin presented Meinz with a clock and a plaque in honor of her years of service. He said the bureau has received dozens of handwritten notes thanking Meinz for her friendly welcomes to the city and her interesting tours. He said this is unusual in his experience as a manager.

"After all of those years I have never had an employee who has received more unsolicited letters and cards," Martin said.

Meinz said she has been surprised by offers for new work opportunities, including a position as a hospitality liaison for the new banquet hall and conference center of the Rose Bed Inn. Although she has retired from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Meinz has no plans of staying home.

"Oh, I'll never quit volunteering," she said.

astephens@semissourian.com

388-3654

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