Bootheel Tourism Committee

The tourism industry ranks second in the State of Missouri, as to economic benefit to the state. The six county Bootheel area is considered a pass through region regarding tourism, as it is situated with the state boundaries touching four other states. Therefore, the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission has had a committee of volunteers from throughout the region, devoting considerable time and effort in developing marketing materials to entice visitors to spend time and tourism dollars on their way to other destinations.

With the assistance and funding from the Missouri Division of Tourism, the BRPC Tourism Committee has completed four specialty brochures that continue to be distributed throughout the Midwest. These brochures have recently been updated.

The brochures, along with the Bountiful Bootheel brochure and map, comprise the efforts to date of the Tourism Marketing Program for the six-county region. Over 300,000 tourism marketing pieces have been distributed to Missouri State Tourism Centers, tour companies, travel agencies and tourist related entities.

A major tourism project, the designation of Dunklin County as part of a scenic byway, has enhanced plans to promote and market the significant tourism attractions of the Crowley Ridge area. Plans are presently underway to develop the tourism aspect of the Civil War in the Bootheel area. The Committee is in the process of developing a document highlighting the known battlefields and historic sites as well as a driving route to visit these sites.

TOURISM COMMITTEE

Gary Capps-Chairperson-Stoddard County IDA, Stoddard County

Margaret Palmer-City of New Madrid, New Madrid County

Virginia Heise-City of Malden, Dunklin County

Silvey Barker-City of East Prairie, Mississippi County

Pansy Glenn-Sikeston/Miner CVB, Scott County

Carol Henfling-Kennett Chamber of Commerce, Dunklin County

Jan Farrenburg-Missouri Welcome Center, New Madrid County

Dianne Sayre-Mayor, City of Caruthersville, Pemiscot County

Van Ayers-University of Missouri Extension Service, At Large (Agri Tourism)

Jeff Holloway-President, MIngo Swamp friends, Stoddard County

Stephen Duke-Executive Director, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, Bootheel Region at large