Tourism building booked through year-end; board seeks new contract to make space self-sufficient

Unidentified Speaker 1 reported the tourism building is booked through the end of the year and has multiple events scheduled for January and February. She told the board a new contract is needed to make the building financially self-sufficient and said she planned to submit a 30-day notice on the current contract with Channel 6 (Gray) so Gray’s Shreveport broadcasts could be reconsidered.

The board confirmed a paid half-page ad for Visit Jefferson in the Northeast Texas Tourism Council guide has been purchased and that new monthly and annual visitor guides will be printed and distributed beginning in January. Unidentified Speaker 1 asked for volunteers to help distribute roughly 1,100 copies across the state and to places such as the Wasson Center and local B&Bs; she said Danielle manages mailings but delivery via the post office has been inconsistent.

Members thanked city crews and community volunteers for installing and decorating the holiday tree and noted new pole-light purchases (7–9 new bulbs) from decorating funds. Unidentified Speaker 1 said a video crew is scheduled to shoot B-roll and home-tour footage on Thursday and offered the use of her golf cart to assist filming logistics.

Next steps: the chair said she would follow up on the building contract and bring contract changes to city council by January so rental income can begin; the board also requested assistance distributing the new visitor guides and confirmed the ad placement in the tourism guide.