How
did the
Newton
County
Tourism Council come into existence?
In
the summer of 2003, the Newton County Commission established a committee of
Newton
County
citizens that were interested in promoting tourism in the county.
In the fall of 2003 the committee elected officers and established three
goals:
1) Meet on a monthly basis at locations throughout the
county to receive input on tourism ideas from different communities.
2) Establish separate entity status as a
Missouri
not-for-profit organization.
3) Create a
Newton
County
web site promoting tourism opportunities in the county and surrounding areas to
attract visitors to our county and the southwest
Missouri
region. In addition, a calendar of
events will be maintained to promote local and regional events.
What
was the initial funding for the Newton
County
Tourism Council?
In
the spring of 2004 the Council voted to ask the Newton County Commission for a
$2500 contribution on the condition that the Council would raise matching funds
in the same amount. These monies
would be used to facilitate the accomplishment of the goals.
The
Newton County Commission voted to accept the funding request. Shortly thereafter a private citizen made a $2500 matching contribution
to the Council and requested to remain anonymous.
How
will future funding be provided?
The Newton County Tourism Council will rely on the following sources for funding:
-
Private and corporate contributions.
-
Private and corporate sponsorship of events, projects and materials.
-
Grants from applicable city, county, state and federal agencies.
-
Sale of advertisments on this website.
-
Co-ops with other area tourism entities.
It is important to understand that the Newton County Tourism Council is not funded through a hotel/motel or lodging tax, and all members volunteer their time and effort in promoting tourism for our area.
Newton
County Tourism Council Board of Directors and Members
Steve
Roark - President
Barnyard Days
Neosho, MO
|
Tom
Higdon - Vice President/Treasurer
Newtonia Battlefield
Newtonia, MO |
Pete
Hall - Secretary
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
Joplin, MO |
Rudy
Farber
Community Bank & Trust
Neosho, MO |
David
Hendrix
Neosho National Fish Hatchery
Neosho, MO
|
Barry
Flint
Granby Economic Development
Granby, MO |
Vince Lindstrom
Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Joplin, MO
|
Robyn McAlester
The Audubon Center
Joplin, MO |
Jack
Sanders
Newton County Commissioner
Neosho, MO
|
Paxton Williams
George Washington Carver
Diamond, MO |
Debbie Werneke
Silhouette Imaging
Neosho, MO |
Shane Griffin
Newton Chamber of Commerce
Neosho, MO |
Allen Bishop
Crowder College
Neosho, MO |
|
