CONVENTION BOARD REVIEWS BILLBOARD POLICY, ATTRACTIONS

The Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Advisory Board wants to know more about the proposal which would require the removal of "non-conforming" billboards from roadways.

"Billboards are important to tourism," said board member Walt Wildman. "The proposal, or notice, by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) could be a double whammy. Besides its effect on tourism, the expense of removing the signs would be costly to taxpayers."

The discussion on billboards highlighted a light agenda at the CVB board session Wednesday.

CVB staff member Laurel Adkisson introduced Melinda "Mindy" Lohmann, an intern who will work with the bureau during the summer. Also discussed at the meeting was "Cape Town Safari," a new tourist attraction which will get under way next month.

Marjorie Beenders, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, was a visitor at the meeting.

Beenders also expressed her views on the billboard proposal.

"This could be a critical issue for tourism," she said. "Billboards serve a need for travelers. Many small businesses depend on signage to tell their story.

"The removal of some billboards is only the beginning," added Beenders. "The ultimate goal of the FHWA is no signs."

The CVB board voted to contact various billboard companies in the Cape Girardeau area to gather input on the proposal.

"Hopefully some of the billboard representatives will appear at a future board meeting," said Bob Hoppmann, president of the advisory board.

Cathy Crites, CVB staff members, told the board that "Cape Town Safari" would be opening operations June 10.

"This will be a big boost to tourism in this area," said Crites. "It will be a drive-through at 5-H Ranch north of Cape Girardeau and will include a couple of petting zoos. It will be a great attraction, especially for bus tours."

The 5-H Ranch was previously open to the public as a drive-through operation to view exotic animals.

"Todd and Vicki Lantz will operate the new attraction which will continue to feature exotic animals," said Crites.

The new intern at the CVB will be working three days a week, from 1 to 5 p.m., noted Adkisson.

"Mindy will also be available some weekends and evenings depending on events," said Adkisson. "She will work with area attractions on major events, and will be exposed to the daily operations of our bureau by answering the telephone, handling visitor inquiries and working with conventions."

Other staff reports show that more than 1,901 visitor inquiries had been handled by the CVB through May 15 of this year. Only 2,350 inquiries were received for the entire year in 1991.

It was also reported that three new conventions had been booked recently Yorkrite Masons for May of 1993, 400-plus delegates; Missouri Association of Realtors, June of 1995, 500-plus delegates and Beta Sigma Phi, October of 1995, 600-plus delegates.