The Planning and Economic Development committee on Nov. 4 advanced a five-year contract authorizing the Summit County executive to execute an agreement with the Akron Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) to promote the county as a conventions destination and to administer the CVBs portion of the lodging excise tax.

"We take great pride in representing the travel and tourism ecosystem for Greater Akron and Summit County," Greg Mervis, president of the Akron Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau and the John S. Knight Center, told the committee. Mervis said the bureau represents about 64 hotels, 274 event spaces and 182 sporting venues countywide.

He said the county's tourism industry has exceeded pre-pandemic revenue levels and cited a county economic-impact figure of about $2.7 billion, with approximately $1.7 billion described as direct spending and nearly $80 million in tax revenue. Mervis also noted the bureau had received unqualified opinions in 13 state audits.

Mervis framed the five-year contract as part of a long-term stewardship role: "Since this is a 5 year request and it is not a sprint, it is a marathon," he said, asking the committee for a favorable response. The committee moved the contract forward by motion.

The contract was presented as a continuation of existing promotional services; the committee did not debate the fiscal specifics during the public committee discussion but moved the item for consideration by the council.