DESTINATION MANAGEMENT, INC.

P.O. box 526 • lawrence, KS • 66044 • Phone: 785.856.5282 • FAX: 785.856.5303

 

 


August 28, 2008

 

Dave Corliss, City Manager

City Hall

6 East 6th Street

Lawrence, Kansas 66044

 

Dear Dave,

 

This letter is to support the request by Jason Edmonds, Board Member of Just Like Lawrence, Inc. in the amount of $20,000 from the City of Lawrence to produce an expanded Get Downtown street festival on October 3rd and 4th,  2008. 

 

Many of us believe that activities like this expand the marketing reach of Downtown Lawrence.  The idea is that more people coming to downtown for whatever reason, increases the likelihood that the District will remain strong for the wide variety of businesses that are found there.

 

Statistics show that shopping and eating are the primary activities of visitors when visiting a destination.  The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau’s marketing focuses on Downtown Lawrence and its unique setting coupled with locally owned and operated businesses.  The viability of Downtown Lawrence businesses is directly related to the viability of the visitor industry in Lawrence. 

 

I have spoken with CVB staff in cities similar to ours who tell me that their downtown festivals have a very positive affect on the energy and viability of their downtowns.  While the Columbia, MO Convention & Visitors Bureau has committed $100,000 to the second year (2008) of its “Roots Blues and Barbecue” festival, they tell me that this is a one-time investment to help further establish a very popular event.  Others, like the Fort Collins CVB, support various festivals and events by providing technical expertise and marketing to local organizers.

 

The good news is that Lawrence is experiencing an increased interest in creating new events in Downtown Lawrence.  The challenge is when and how to support such events.  The CVB Advisory Board has established a committee to develop guidelines for considering requests of support whether it is for cash or in-kind services.  Our goal is for this committee to have a recommendation for the board to consider at its next quarterly meeting scheduled for November 18.  We will then present these guidelines to you for consideration when requests made directly to the City are appropriate for bed tax reserve funds.

 

Thank you for your consideration of this specific request.  Again, we fully support it and look forward to a growing series of music events in Downtown Lawrence.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Judy Billings

President & CEO

 

 

Cc:  Jason Edmonds, Jane Pennington, Cathy Lewis, Brett Mosiman, Lisa Patterson