CVB BOARD OFFERS NO ENDORSEMENT, BUT SAYS GAMBLING COULD AID TOURISM

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee did not endorse riverboat gambling, but the consensus of its members attending a monthly meeting Wednesday was that it would benefit tourism.

"I'm not asking for an endorsement at this time," said member Dennis "Doc" Cain. "But I think the members of this group should give some serious thought to the benefits that could be derived from riverboat gambling."

Cain said the board should give consideration to supporting the riverboat gambling issue, which will be submitted to Cape Girardeau voters in June.

The brief discussion on riverboat gambling, a proposal to make radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh an honorary member of the CVB, and staff reports highlighted the advisory committee's meeting at City Hall.

"I think we should look into a couple of things concerning Rush Limbaugh," said member Dan Drury. "We should issue a proclamation making him an honorary member of the CVB, and look into the possibility of a billboard along Interstate 55 proclaiming that Cape Girardeau is the home of Rush Limbaugh."

Bob Hoppmann, chairman of the CVB Advisory Committee, agreed.

"Any time I am at an out-of-town meeting, people want to know about Rush Limbaugh," said Hoppmann.

The CVB office has been busy in 1993. Members were given a report on responses from various magazine advertising. The office has received a total of 1,004 calls through April 20 and received 2,150 response cards.

The CVB staff has packed 500 tourism bags and prepared 1,000 name tags for this weekend's National Guard Association Conference, and is in the process of preparing 175 bags and brochures, along with 325 name tags for the Missouri Grand Council and Chapter of the Masonic Lodges, which will hold a conference here April 29-May 1.

It was also announced that Delta Queen Lines representatives will be in Cape Girardeau April 27-29 to discuss events for Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen passengers who will visit Cape Girardeau July 3, during the annual steamboat race from New Orleans to St. Louis.

Following the regular meeting, the committee went into closed session to discuss real estate considerations and personnel. The CApe Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, which leases space to the CVB, has discussed moving to a new facility.