Tourism advisory board sees changes

A change to the advisory board for the City of McMinnville’s Tourism & Marketing Department was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its last meeting.

The advisory board, which was created in tandem with the city’s Tourism & Marketing Department, was intended to be a way of generating feedback and guide tourism decisions. In its original format, it included a “state park representative” as a member of the board, but according to Tourism & Marketing Director Jordan Pupols, it has been a difficult position to fill.

During the regularly scheduled meeting, Pupols recommended swapping the position out for “point of interest representative” in order to broaden the scope of individuals who may be able to offer their expertise to the department. In addition to the swap, it was suggested to add representatives from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Industrial Development Board and for arts.

The voting members of the Tourism Advisory Committee, after the successful vote, include the following categories: Warren County Executive or County Commissioner, Mayor of the City of McMinnville, chairperson from the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Alderman as chosen by the mayor, City of McMinnville Parks & Recreation Director, McMinnville/Warren County Chamber of Commerce president/CEO, Main Street McMinnville chairperson, Industrial Development Board Director, point of interest representative, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency representative, arts representative, local historian or library manager, farmer’s market representative, McMinnville hotel/motel business representative, McMinnville short-term rental business representative, McMinnville boat or kayak outfitter business representative and McMinnville dining establishment representative.

In addition to the voting members, there is one non-voting youth representative and three ex-officio members: Tourism & Marketing manager, McMinnville city administrator and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development regional director. All members of the advisory board are unpaid volunteers.

The current roster is as follows:

• Warren County Executive/County Commissioner: Terry Bell

• City Mayor: Ryle Chastain

• City of McMinnville Parks & Recreation Director: Justin Scott

• Chamber of Commerce President/CEO: Melissa Mullins

• Committee Chairperson of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen: Deitra Dunlap

• Main Street McMinnville Chairperson: Jennifer Flatt-Meredith

• Local historian/library manager: Jimmy Haley

• Farmer’s market representative: Brent Bain

• Hotel/motel business representative: Keval Sheth

• Short-term rental business representative: Lucas Patterson

• Boat/kayak outfitter business representative: Todd Barker