Council agrees with city manager on needing tourism director

On Tuesday, the Guthrie City council voted to fill a full-time tourism director position for the City of Guthrie and if needed a part-time position for tourism.

“Tourism is a huge industry in our state,” Mayor Steve Gentling said. “I suspect it’s the highest or next to the highest here in Guthrie America. We got so much to offer in tourism. I think it’s appropriate to create that kind of focus.”

The director will be responsible for processing exclusive use application requests for use of streets and/or public property for special events, applications for event support from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, provide administrative assistance to the Convention Visitors Bureau Advisory Board and responsible for attracting, selling, overseeing the development, implementation and coordination of City tourism (sports, conventions and conferences) related activities including marketing, advertising, financial reporting and coordinating and overseeing the budget.

This position will conduct market research, utilize a competitive marketing strategy that fosters a good public image and promotes City wide tourism assets, programs, events, cultural, historic, and agricultural tourism resources.

The Hotel/Motel Tax Fund will fund the positions worth approximately $60,000. The part-time position is expected to earn approximately $12,000.

City Manager Leroy Alsup says he plans for the director to office with the Chamber of Commerce on the third floor of City Hall.

“It will make it easier for them to communicate with each other and work together,” Alsup said.

Councilwoman Sharyl Padgett questioned the housing of the two together and ultimately casted the lone no vote in the 5-1 final count.