Members of the Waycross Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority met at City Hall on Thursday, February 26 for its monthly meeting.
Following the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, the authority members discussed the financials. It was stated the funds collected was just over $400,000, with an estimated budget of $640,000.
After approving the financials, the Authority members briefly discussed their March 6 retreat.
Next on the agenda, the Authority heard updates from various partners. Some notable partner updates included Okefenokee Swamp Park, mentioning the recent visit by “Survivor,” the low water levels brought about by current weather, as well as the upcoming opening of a new trail.
An update was also given about the efforts to have the Okefenokee designated as a World Heritage Site. Several UNESCO scientists visited the site during the fall. The meeting to determine whether it will be designated as such will convene during the third week of July, in South Korea. Authority members discussed preparing “for a potential influx of curious visitors” based on the outcome.
Following this, the Satilla Riverkeepers representative spoke, discussing the organization’s extensive upcoming schedule and ongoing projects, including river cleanup, a membership paddle event, an Earth Week nature hike, as well as an upcoming meeting of the Georgia Water Coalition to be held in Waycross.
Following the updates, the authority discussed old business, namely a potential increase to the hotel/motel tax to six percent. No action was taken on the potential increase, though the authority intended to draft a letter at the March 6 retreat.
After this, the Authority moved on to new business. Nobody was present to represent CASA, regarding a sponsorship request for their Cow Patty Bingo fundraiser, so the item was tabled.
The Waycross Downtown Development Authority discussed the installation of art signage at the Alice Street Extension, requesting $1,200 in financial assistance. The signage is intended to promote historic downtown Waycross. The Authority made a motion to approve the request.
Hospice Satilla discussed its upcoming golf tournament fundraiser, as well as the possibility of a $750 sponsorship by the Authority. This was approved.
The Satilla Riverkeepers requested a $1,000 sponsorship for their events for the upcoming Water Coalition meeting. This was also approved.
Southern Forest World made a request for $1,500 sponsorship for Stuckie’s Spring Camp. This was tabled.
Okefenokee Swamp Park also requested sponsorship for their local 25 percent discount, specifically $1,000 to promote it in local media across the eligible counties. The stated goal was to focus on more distant counties to encourage tourism to Waycross. This was approved.
Following this, the board briefly discussed its retreat again, and the meeting was adjourned.
