Dismal and disappointing.
That about sums up the lack of leadership demonstrated in
launching a publicly funded tourism initiative for Blacksburg, Christiansburg
and Montgomery County by the local chamber.
A collaborative approach for developing a market-share in what
is Virginia’s second largest industry is a great concept, and something which is being done
effectively in other communities across the country. Numerous success stories can be pointed to, providing
a blueprint for others to emulate.
Locally, however, after 30 months and an infusion of over $350,000
in tax dollars to-date, little can be pointed to as a success.
The concept was floated by the chamber to local
governments in late 2004, with both towns voting to increase lodging or
occupancy taxes as a means to fund a joint tourism initiative effective July 1,
2005. The county took a bit longer
because permission from the General Assembly was required, but by the summer of
2006 they were on-board, too. Initially
the goal was to include Virginia Tech, yet somewhere along the time line this
potential partner fell to the wayside.
In order to transfer the monies being collected for tourism,
the law required funding localities solicit an RFP (Request for Proposal). This was followed by awarding of the contracts to the local chamber, the only bidder
for the RFPs. These two steps were done almost as an afterthought, so lodging or occupancy tax collected and disbursed before the contracts were simply written off as a "general appropriation"
to the chamber.
By late spring of 2007, everything is straightened out and all the ducks are in a row. Taxes asked
for in 2004 and collected since 2005 are now being legally transferred to the
local chamber by the funding authorities.
It is reasonable to expect successful implementation of an
effective tourism initiative will take some time.
It is also reasonable to expect, after more than three years of effort,
the existence of a comprehensive plan to implement.
Basic deliverables touted in the chamber’s July 2006 “success
after six months” presentation have either disappeared completely or remain on some
future horizon, as heard during the (delinquent) first semi-annual report to
Christiansburg Town Council December 4, 2007.
The only clear metrics for the tourism initiative to-date have been a lack of leadership and and the amount of public funds transferred to the chamber. This
is primarily the responsibility of the local chamber and its board, yet some
accountability must be shared by officials who will have allocated nearly a
half a million dollars by the time contract performance comes due again. ###
“If we don’t perform, we don’t continue to receive the
funding! Semi-annual reporting will ensure
satisfaction and answers to your and your constituent’s concerns.” ~ Shane Adams, President of the Montgomery
County Chamber of Commerce, Tourism in our Communities: The Bottom Line, June 2005.