Jackson Free Press

The Jackson City Council is expected to vote tomorrow on a resolution asking the state Legislature to support a law that would make future re-authorizations of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau unnecessary.

The city council must lobby legislators for the existence of the bureau, because state law mandates that the Legislature must reauthorize the entity every five years. The bureau oversees the establishment, promotion and development of all tourism and conventions in Jackson. City council Legislative Committee Chairwoman and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon said that even though Jackson is the state Capital, and one of the most highly populated cities in the state, it is one of the few state municipalities that must undergo re-authorization.

"It's difficult for me to understand why there are other municipalities that do not have to go through this every few years, that do not suffer a sunset clause," Barrett-Simon said. "We've proven by example that this is the way to run a convention and visitors bureau. We have built that convention center, we have paid for it, and we have money in the bank from it. Why do we have to go through what, to me, is a very scary process every few years? Why do we have to defend what we have constructed and built?"

Bureau Spokeswoman Kelly Shannon said the bureau's five-year expiration date can make accommodating long-term events difficult.

"We're the one entity that actively promotes the city as a premiere destination, and we're supposed to be working with meeting planners and conference planners, but it is difficult to work with the larger ones that need agreements years in advance, like military conferences, or the National Cutting-Horse Association--a huge multi-million dollar event for the city," Shannon said. "We can't sign an agreement with them if there's no assurance that we'll be around. How can you make a promise that you can't keep?"

Ricky Thigpen, executive vice president of the bureau, told the Jackson Free Press earlier this year that the bureau cannot currently book events that occur beyond the bureau's authorization date because of a continued potential expiration date. "Right now, we can't make commitments for conventions in 2014," Thigpen said.

Barrett-Simon said past resolutions seeking permanent status for the bureau have failed to pass the legislature, but city lobbyists, she said, will be working hard with state representatives. The legislation will go to the House Local and Private Committee, chaired by Rep. Willie Perkins, D-Greenwood, and committee Vice Chairwoman Rep. Kimberly Campbell Buck, D-Jackson.