Communities extend pact to promote local tourism

TWO RIVERS — An agreement to promote tourism in Manitowoc County will continue for the next five years.

The Manitowoc and Two Rivers city councils, along with the Manitowoc Area Visitor and Convention Bureau Board, agreed Tuesday during a meeting at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers to renew a joint-services agreement between the three parties.

Manitowoc and Two Rivers have worked to promote area tourism through the MAVCB since 2006. The cities entered into a five-year agreement to contribute 47.5 percent of local room tax revenue to the MAVCB, much of which is used for marketing.

"(Marketing) is vitally important so we can get our message out further," Two Rivers City Manager Greg Buckley said.

Buckley said the Two Rivers council requested minor changes to the original language of the agreement before agreeing to the renewal.

Previously the MAVCB needed prior approval from Manitowoc before merging with any other entities. Now it needs approval from both cities. The Two Rivers City Council also requested the MAVCB redefine the structure and function of its executive committee and make clear the two city representatives are official committee members.

"We are very thankful to have a five-year agreement with the MAVCB," Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels said. "We're glad that Two Rivers decided to continue to stay with us. We have a great working partnership together and look forward to the next five years."