The Visitor Industry Alliance (VIA) will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Best Western Ramkota in Pierre.  Lunch will be provided for VIA members but RSVPs are required.  Please email maryanneb@sdchamber.biz or call the office at 605-945-2846 no later than Friday, October 9.

 

The meeting agenda will include a legislative discussion with VIA Lobbyist Lorin Pankratz.  Specific topics to be addressed are the previously proposed second penny sales tax.  Various groups in the state appear interested in bringing this to the legislature in 2010 in a format that would allow for very specific uses of the revenue generated.

 

VIA leaders are confident that the billboard issue will be brought back during the next session.  VIA worked diligently in 2009 to maintain a fair fee structure for highway billboards.  After much debate, amending, etc., the bill ultimately failed in conference committee.  VIA members must be prepared for a similar battle during the 2010 session.

 

The annual meeting presents an excellent opportunity to discuss the newly-enacted Tourism Tax.  We will review the current status, if revenues are meeting projections, how the funds are being used, and the 2011 sunset clause.  Tourism Department officials will be invited to the meeting to address this subject with timely information.

 

A complete agenda will be mailed to VIA members later in September.  Call today to RSVP for the Visitor Industry Alliance Annual Meeting.