The Missouri Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the Missouri Travel Council have identified legislative priorities for 2016.
They are:
- increasing the Division of Tourism budget and protecting the Cooperative Marketing Program, a program for which destination marketing organizations can apply for matching funds for marketing initiatives;
- introducing legislation to establish a $3 million fund to help CVBs attract out-of-state conventions to Missouri by providing matching funds to help cover event expenses;
- providing film tax credits for the Missouri Film Office to help attract film production to the state;
- monitoring any taxpayer transparency legislation in an effort to prevent proposed legislation from compromising the confidentiality of proposals for conventions and events or requiring unnecessary language in destination advertising.
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau works closely with statewide organizations in lobbying efforts, including attending the annual Salute to Missouri Legislators and Capitol Days for Tourism along with communicating regularly with local legislators.