CONVENTION, VISITORS BUREAU PLANS MOVE

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau is moving.

The CVB, which promotes tourism and conventions in the Cape Girardeau area, is now operating as a new division of the city, and will move from the Chamber of Commerce building to the 1707 Building at the intersection of Mount Auburn Road and North Kingshighway.

"The City Council has approved a lease, and plans are to have the bureau in operation at its new site on Aug. 2," said City Manager J. Ronald Fischer.

"The intention is for the CVB to eventually be in the multipurpose building to be constructed in Osage Park," said Fischer. "Our lease at the 1707 Building calls for 18 to 20 months. Hopefully by that time the new building will be ready."

The CVB has been operated by the Chamber of Commerce since it was founded in 1985, but requested in June to be placed under the direction of the city.

Meanwhile, a search continues by the city to fill the job of the new division's director.

"We had 60 applications," said Fisher. "We boiled the list down to 14 or 15, and will trim it to four or six. At that time we will make contact with candidates for interviews."

Lyn Muzzy, who served as director of the CVB, recently agreed to a six-months contract with the city of Cape Girardeau as a convention and tourism consultant.

"Muzzy will be working under contract for us," said Fischer. "He will remain as director until a new director is hired. Then, he will continue to attend trade shows."

Cathy Crites and Mary Stucker will continue as CVB staff members.