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Independence forms Convention and Visitors Bureau; board seated, executive director search begins
Summary
City staff reported that the Independence Convention and Visitors Bureau has been formally created, a 13-member board appointed, bylaws adopted and an executive director recruitment posted; the CVB will receive transient guest tax revenue and return biannual and annual reports to the city.
City staff and the new Independence Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) board briefed the council April 28 on progress toward standing up the new tourism organization and on near-term steps, including a contract the council will consider June 2.
Assistant City Manager Charlie DeSalle told the council the CVB was created to separate tourism functions out of the parks and recreation department so transient guest tax dollars can be invested into tourism marketing and operations. "In the meeting we discussed how other cities really should be envious of the tourism assets that we have here in Independence," DeSalle said, listing assets that include the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, the National Frontier Trails Museum and more than two dozen hotels that together host visitors attending sports and other events.
DeSalle said the council adopted a resolution on Dec. 2 "to officially work towards separating the tourism functions away from the city and creating the Independence Convention and Visitors Bureau." Staff submitted organizational paperwork later that month; bylaws were adopted in early March; and the council appointed 13 board members later in March. The bylaws require at least one representative from an Independence attraction, one business owner, one community leader, one lodging representative and one person from the tourism industry. At least four city representatives sit on the board, including one city council member, the city manager, the director of finance and the director of parks and recreation. Board members serve three-year terms.
DeSalle described additional governance rules in the bylaws: the board will meet five times a year (January, March, May, September and November), directors must attend at least 75% of meetings, and vacancies are to be filled by the city manager's recommendation with board approval. The CVB also adopted an executive committee (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and two at-large members); the secretary and treasurer positions are to be filled by the independent director of finance.
The CVB has posted the executive director position and the board will hire that person based on professional qualifications; DeSalle said the executive director will prepare biannual marketing reports to the city, monthly financial statements, a balance sheet and statement of application of funds within three months of each fiscal year end, and an annual report to the council. Staff expects to bring a cooperative agreement and FY 2025-26 budget items to the council in June.
DeSalle said the CVB will use a 6.5% transient guest tax levied on hotel stays to fund tourism work and that marketing support from a consultant, Reactor, is in place while the CVB begins operations. The council asked about recruitment outreach for the executive director; DeSalle said staff and consultants plan to post on Missouri- and regional-industry sites and rely on professional industry networks.
No council action was taken at the April 28 briefing; staff said a contract between the city and the CVB will be on the June 2 council agenda and recruitment for the executive director was underway.
