CVB issue in limbo; awaits action by council

While the future of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau remains uncertain, some city council members are mentally teetering on whether the city should remain in control of the CVB or let the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce take over the job.

Three council members who attended a CVB advisory board meeting last Thursday say they're more convinced now that a chamber-controlled CVB might be a good idea, but they're still not completely sure.

The council on Monday night could approve a first reading on whether to give control to the chamber, but it has not yet been put on the agenda.

The council discussed the idea at its last council meeting as chamber president John Mehner outlined a contract that would save the city $60,000. Before acting on the contract, the council said it wanted to hear from the CVB advisory board first.

Tim Blattner, the advisory board chairman, said the board will not make a recommendation either way. He said Thursday night's meeting served more as an open forum to ask questions.

Council members Evelyn Boardman, Charlie Herbst and Hugh White, along with Mayor Jay Knudtson attended the meeting as observers. The idea of a chamber-run CVB was introduced by Knudtson.

Boardman, Herbst and White won't commit one way or the other, though they have been convinced that a chamber-run CVB would have some advantages.

"I have tried to stay open in the entire subject from the beginning," White said. "I have mixed emotions. My initial reaction was there is no reason the city can't do it. At this point in time, I'm hearing some things where the chamber might have some flexibility we don't have as a city."

White said the chamber could be more flexible in its payroll while the city has a strict step program for its employees.

Boardman, who has done a lot of research on CVBs from across the state, said she liked the fact that the chamber may be able to build a staff more quickly than the city. Currently, there is one full-time and one part-time worker operating the department. The CVB has been without a director since May 31.

"It's at a dead stop," Boardman said. "I'm anxious to get moving. The tourism field is one you don't want to be still for long and we're losing momentum."

Mehner said regardless of who runs the department, it will take some time.

"But more important than the speed is making sure the right team is put in place."

Herbst said when the idea first came up, he was in favor of the city remaining in control of the department.

"But listening to some of the comments from the CVB advisory members and the information given by Mr. Mehner, I'm not sure," Herbst said.

Some at the meeting questioned why the chamber should be given control again after it ran the department from 1984 to 1993 only to have the city take jurisdiction to cut out the middle man.

Mehner, who was not chamber president at the time the city took control, said he couldn't comment on the past problems because he wasn't involved.

"It's whole different group of people, period," he said.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127