Building Business at the Lake of the Ozarks - Tri-County Lodging Association
The Lake of the Ozarks has a dynamic and growing business climate. The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council would like to share some information in a series of Blogs about some great organizations that are helping to promote business growth in our Lake Area. These organizations are committed to educating potential new business owners and businesses thinking of relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks about the tremendous potential the lake offers. The first organization we would like to feature is the Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA).
The Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association was formed when a large group of accommodation facility owners were concerned that they didn’t have enough funding to adequately advertise and promote The Lake of the Ozarks. After receiving the proper legislative authority and establishing the Business Districts in each of the Counties, the accommodation facility owners presented an initiative to the voters on June 8, 1993, asking them to approve a three percent lodging tax, for overnight visitors that stayed less than 31 nights in any calendar quarter in one of three Business Districts, surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks throughout Camden, Miller and Morgan Counties. Before the lodging tax was passed, the Lake Association had approximately $150,000 per year to promote and advertise our area. Over the past several years, the TCLA Board has appropriated between $1.5 and $2.0 million annually to promote and advertise our area.
Since 1993, the Tri-County Lodging Association has purchased millions of dollars of advertising in magazines, newspapers, internet web sites, television, radio and billboards throughout mid America in their primary markets. According to our visitor surveys, most of our overnight visitors reside in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Indiana. TCLA also uses the funds to sponsor special events and festivals that attract visitors to the Lake. TCLA provides start up funding for new events and festivals in hopes that the event or festival will sustain itself financially in two or three years.
Special events and festivals are major reasons why our visitors choose our area over other resort destinations. TCLA also supports two group, convention and reunion sales managers, both responsible for bringing in new group, convention and reunion business to the Lake of the Ozarks each year. TCLA also contracts with a professional Public Relations Firm that writes numerous press releases and contacts editors of major publications to encourage them to write stories about the Lake of the Ozarks. Statistically, when an editor writes about your destination, it’s four times more impactful than placing a paid advertisement. TCLA continues to initiate research programs that assures the most efficient use of every advertising dollar received.
TCLA also partners with the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau. The CVB is the primary fulfillment arm of TCLA, providing hundreds of thousands of Vacation Guides to potential visitors requesting information as a result of TCLA’s advertising. The CVB also developed, markets and maintains the website, www.funlake.com. With more than 90% of all travel being planned on line, the website has been an integral part of TCLA’s comprehensive marketing plan. The CVB also attends upwards of 16 Sport and Travel Shows throughout mid-America answering questions about our destination and distributing Vacation Guides to potential visitors.
The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is here to serve as your liaison for Lake of the Ozarks area. Our goal is to make your site search as easy as possible and to provide you with all the information and resources you need to consider our community during your site search. We can also assist you with most aspects of relocating your business to the Lake of the Ozarks and we encourage you to visit our website or call us at 573-569-7420.
Tri-County Lodging Association
The Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association was formed when a large group of accommodation facility owners were concerned that they didn’t have enough funding to adequately advertise and promote The Lake of the Ozarks. After receiving the proper legislative authority and establishing the Business Districts in each of the Counties, the accommodation facility owners presented an initiative to the voters on June 8, 1993, asking them to approve a three percent lodging tax, for overnight visitors that stayed less than 31 nights in any calendar quarter in one of three Business Districts, surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks throughout Camden, Miller and Morgan Counties. Before the lodging tax was passed, the Lake Association had approximately $150,000 per year to promote and advertise our area. Over the past several years, the TCLA Board has appropriated between $1.5 and $2.0 million annually to promote and advertise our area.
Since 1993, the Tri-County Lodging Association has purchased millions of dollars of advertising in magazines, newspapers, internet web sites, television, radio and billboards throughout mid America in their primary markets. According to our visitor surveys, most of our overnight visitors reside in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Indiana. TCLA also uses the funds to sponsor special events and festivals that attract visitors to the Lake. TCLA provides start up funding for new events and festivals in hopes that the event or festival will sustain itself financially in two or three years.
Special events and festivals are major reasons why our visitors choose our area over other resort destinations. TCLA also supports two group, convention and reunion sales managers, both responsible for bringing in new group, convention and reunion business to the Lake of the Ozarks each year. TCLA also contracts with a professional Public Relations Firm that writes numerous press releases and contacts editors of major publications to encourage them to write stories about the Lake of the Ozarks. Statistically, when an editor writes about your destination, it’s four times more impactful than placing a paid advertisement. TCLA continues to initiate research programs that assures the most efficient use of every advertising dollar received.
TCLA also partners with the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau. The CVB is the primary fulfillment arm of TCLA, providing hundreds of thousands of Vacation Guides to potential visitors requesting information as a result of TCLA’s advertising. The CVB also developed, markets and maintains the website, www.funlake.com. With more than 90% of all travel being planned on line, the website has been an integral part of TCLA’s comprehensive marketing plan. The CVB also attends upwards of 16 Sport and Travel Shows throughout mid-America answering questions about our destination and distributing Vacation Guides to potential visitors.
Lake of the Ozarks - Your Strategy for Business Growth
The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is here to serve as your liaison for Lake of the Ozarks area. Our goal is to make your site search as easy as possible and to provide you with all the information and resources you need to consider our community during your site search. We can also assist you with most aspects of relocating your business to the Lake of the Ozarks and we encourage you to visit our website or call us at 573-569-7420.
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1000 City Parkway
Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-569-7420
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