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After spending the last five years as executive director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Craig Hull is moving on.
Hull, who has been at that post since November 2005, announced Wednesday he would take on a new role as the assistant director of the Joplin Sports Authority.
"I've always said that I wanted to run a sports commission, and the Joplin Sports Authority has given me the opportunity to come in and work with them,” Hull said.
While at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hull was responsible for bringing in conventions, meetings, and sporting events to the area. During his tenure, the area has hosted Premier baseball tournaments, the Kansas Shrine Bowl twice, the NJCAA football championship game and various meetings for different statewide and regional organizations. The CVB also won marketing awrds from the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) for Best Tourism Public Service Announcement and Best in Marketing/Print Advertisting.
"Things were going really good at the Crawford County CVB," Hull said. "Things have really grown, from the transient guest tax to hotel occupancy, and I'm just glad to have been a part of it."
One of the first goals for Hull was raising the transient guest tax in Crawford County. Prior to his arrival, the tax set on hotel room occupancy was 2 percent. Figures show that raised between $72,000 and $75,000 per year on 380 rooms.
However, in 2007, the Crawford County Commission agreed to raise that tax to 4.0 percent. Hull said that with 452 hotel rooms in the county, that has an annual generation of $165,000.
In addition, Hull said that the Convention and Visitors Bureau developed its strategic plan in 2006 and has not wavered from it since its inception.
"We developed that plan and we followed through with it," Hull saId. "That was great to have and I will miss that."
In addition to the cooperative spirit, Hull said that the community of support will be another thing he will miss the most about leaving his post in Crawford County.
"Working with the people," Hull said. "The board and the seven hotels were wonderful to work with and they cooperated with what we were doing."
CVB Presiden LaWana Esch said that Hull will certainly be missed in Crawford County.
“Craig Hull has been an outstanding leader for our organization since assuming the post of Executive Director in November 2005,” Esch said. “His tireless efforts have transformed our organization into one truly geared toward increasing travel and tourism in Crawford County and the board is extremely appreciative of his work.”
As for his new position, Hull said that there will be an initial time of “sitting back and listening” before he delves into his responsibilities.
"I think, early on, there will be a period of adjustment and a learning curve," Hull said.
Hull’s last day as Crawford County CVB director will be Aug. 19. The search for a new executive director has begun and resumes will be accepted through Sept. 19. Resumes may be sent to P.O. Box 1115, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
— Additional information by Andrew Nash.
After spending the last five years as executive director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Craig Hull is moving on.
Hull, who has been at that post since November 2005, announced Wednesday he would take on a new role as the assistant director of the Joplin Sports Authority.
"I've always said that I wanted to run a sports commission, and the Joplin Sports Authority has given me the opportunity to come in and work with them,” Hull said.
While at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hull was responsible for bringing in conventions, meetings, and sporting events to the area. During his tenure, the area has hosted Premier baseball tournaments, the Kansas Shrine Bowl twice, the NJCAA football championship game and various meetings for different statewide and regional organizations. The CVB also won marketing awrds from the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) for Best Tourism Public Service Announcement and Best in Marketing/Print Advertisting.
"Things were going really good at the Crawford County CVB," Hull said. "Things have really grown, from the transient guest tax to hotel occupancy, and I'm just glad to have been a part of it."
One of the first goals for Hull was raising the transient guest tax in Crawford County. Prior to his arrival, the tax set on hotel room occupancy was 2 percent. Figures show that raised between $72,000 and $75,000 per year on 380 rooms.
However, in 2007, the Crawford County Commission agreed to raise that tax to 4.0 percent. Hull said that with 452 hotel rooms in the county, that has an annual generation of $165,000.
In addition, Hull said that the Convention and Visitors Bureau developed its strategic plan in 2006 and has not wavered from it since its inception.
"We developed that plan and we followed through with it," Hull saId. "That was great to have and I will miss that."
In addition to the cooperative spirit, Hull said that the community of support will be another thing he will miss the most about leaving his post in Crawford County.
"Working with the people," Hull said. "The board and the seven hotels were wonderful to work with and they cooperated with what we were doing."
CVB Presiden LaWana Esch said that Hull will certainly be missed in Crawford County.
“Craig Hull has been an outstanding leader for our organization since assuming the post of Executive Director in November 2005,” Esch said. “His tireless efforts have transformed our organization into one truly geared toward increasing travel and tourism in Crawford County and the board is extremely appreciative of his work.”
As for his new position, Hull said that there will be an initial time of “sitting back and listening” before he delves into his responsibilities.
"I think, early on, there will be a period of adjustment and a learning curve," Hull said.
Hull’s last day as Crawford County CVB director will be Aug. 19. The search for a new executive director has begun and resumes will be accepted through Sept. 19. Resumes may be sent to P.O. Box 1115, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
— Additional information by Andrew Nash.
