CVB ADVISORY BOARD URGES STABLE FUNDING

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Advisory Board has recommended that the City Council approve the bureau budget at the same level of a year ago.

"We have reviewed the 1992-93 budget," said Bob Hoppmann, advisory board chairman. "It is our recommendation that the $303,210 budget be approved by the council."

The budget proposal, prepared by the CVB, calls for $87,720 in salaries for three full-time and one part-time employees. The next highest dollar figures in the budget are those of advertising, $48,000, and printed materials, $29,000.

The budget recommendation came during the CVB board's meeting Wednesday. Other items discussed included a hospitality seminar to be held in Cape Girardeau next week, the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive to be held April 25-26 and CVB staff reports.

The advisory board will start hearing proposals next week from representatives who have requested funding from excess tourism funds. Meetings are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with a 3 p.m. session Wednesday.

One of the proposals had been scheduled for a presentation Wednesday, but was postponed until next week.

Proposals to be heard include a fund request for SEMO Fair advertising, a convention and tourism center proposal, acquisition of property for a multi-use building, Shawnee Park soccer field improvements, a downtown historical tourist attraction proposal, and a Shawnee Park Sports Complex proposal.

During the staff reports Wednesday, CAB staff member Laurel Adkisson announced that the second annual CAB Hospitality Seminar would be held at West Park Mall Tuesday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Beverly McKinley-Harris of Paducah, Ky., marketing director, and certified hospitality instructor at West Kentucky Vocational Technical school, will be guest speaker.

"The seminar is designed to familiarize employees with Cape Girardeau County attractions and history as well as hospitality training," said Adkisson.

Booths and displays at the seminar will describe area attractions. Included will be the Glenn House, Cape River Heritage Museum, The Ice, St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, Black Forest, Oliver House, Bollinger Mill & Covered Bridge, Trail of Tears State Park, Rocky Holler, USA and others.

CVB Director Lyn Muzzy reported being in contact with "Vacation America," a Florida firm that wants to shoot a half-hour film episode that will air on a travel television series.

"We'll be working with the "Vacation America" group and will have access to more than six hours of video tape after the shootings," said Muzzy. "The cost to the CVB is $6,500, But we can use the excess video tape to compile our own Cape Girardeau area video."

"Vacation America" will start shooting in April 1993.

Muzzy also reported attending the National Tour Association Tour and Travel Exchange at Tulsa and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Tourism Marketplace.