The Sedalia Area Tourism Commission met on Tuesday April 20th at Katy Depot, 500 E. Third at 1:15 p.m. in the conference room upstairs.

The meeting was announced to the local media in accordance with the Sunshine Act.

Chuck Kempton, Erica Eisenmenger, Tom Adermann, Carolyn Crooker and Deb Biermann were present.

David Dick and John Kehde were absent.

The minutes of the previous meeting on October 7, 2020, the status summary of January 4, 2021 and the summary of the measures to apply for funding by the Liberty Center were approved at the request of Tom Adermann, who was supported by Erica Eisenmenger with all votes. There was a brief discussion about SATC’s future approval to fund website building versus approval to fund website marketing.

Copies of the 2020 and 2021 quarterly tax report have been reviewed. Although not all payments have been received for December, the numbers reflect an overall occupancy rate of approximately 34% for 2020. This is the first year that an overall occupancy rate has been calculated based on the motel occupancy numbers reported by each motel.

These reports also reflect that four motels are currently behind on their payments for December through February. City licenses due in May will be withheld until payments are current. Copies of the report are included in the official log file.

Copies of SATC’s 2020 and 2021 financial reports have been reviewed. Taking into account the fact that not all payments were received for December 2020, the revenue generated in 2020 is about 30% lower than the revenue generated in 2019. Clarification on reimbursement from the Missouri Department of Tourism, Cares Act Grant, and a wage protection plan was received from the CVB.

In total, the CVB received $ 197,719.63, reflecting the amount injected for use by the CVB, saving SATC funds for future use. These funds began to offset the CVB expenses on a monthly basis from December 2020 and until 2021. There is currently a balance of $ 93,705.87 on this account. The CVB will operate within the same budget approved by the Tourism Commission. Copies of the report are included in the official log file.

At the request of Erica Eisenmenger, supported by Tom Adermann, the acceptance of the financial reports was approved with all votes in favor.

In the measures taken in January by the city, the district and the CVB, the following people were respectfully reappointed under the stated conditions:

John Kende – runs until 12/31/22
David Dick – until December 31, 22
Chuck Kempton – running until December 31, 2023

The appointment of the current officers’ plan was approved for the year 2021 at the request of Tom Adermann, who was supported by Erica Eisenmenger with all supporters: Chuck Kempton as chairman, David Dick as vice chairman; and Erica Eisenmenger as treasurer.

The conversation revolved around a special application for funding, which was submitted by the CVB in early summer, for an overall virtual 3D tour of Sedalia as well as individual virtual 3D tours for the visitor destinations of Sedalia (Missouri State Fair, Bothwell Lodge, Daum Museum, Katy ) to create depot, historic downtown Sedalia, Liberty Center).

Kevin Haulotte recently lectured at a Coalition Tourism meeting and started meeting with individual sites to develop a comprehensive approach to using these marketing methods to best serve Sedalia’s needs and capabilities. An estimate to prepare for a 3D tour of the Katy Depot is $ 600 for all three floors plus an outside minimum plus $ 10 per month for hosting the video. The special request is expected to be filed by the end of June and could range from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000.

It was noted that funds approved for use by some members of the tourism coalition in 2021 will not be used due to ongoing concerns and the impact of Covid. These funds could be redirected for use on the specific CVB request. The clarification of CVB’s ownership of the product takes place again

In other business areas, discussions were held about the effects that draft laws could have on local motels.

The next regular meeting is expected at the end of September.

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