News Releases

Carthage CVB encourages Re-Leaf with new campaign

Carthage celebrates National Tourism Week

Local legislator teams up with area artists

Carthage ranked among state's most beautiful

National talent to perform at new Carthage event

New website helps visitors navigate Carthage

Carthage CVB encourages Re-Leaf with new campaign

Carthage, Mo. –The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau is encouraging the community to give a tree-mendous gift to the city this fall by purchasing a tree through their new campaign, "The Great Carthage Re-Leaf."

The campaign encourages residents and friends of the community to purchase trees to replacethose lost through the natural devastation of the 2007 ice storms. These trees may be planted near their homes, businesses, or donated in-kind to the city to replace trees lost throughout the city’s parks.

CVB Director Kate Massey says, "Replacing lost trees in our city parks and residential neighborhoods is important environmentally and economically, but especially valuable to the identity of the city. The Carthage CVB is presenting residents with a resource to help them celebrate one of the defining assets of Carthage – America’s Maple Leaf city."

The Great Carthage Re-Leaf will make our city a healthier place to live and visit, improving air quality, shading and cooling our neighborhoods, and lowering energy consumption. At the same time, the program will make Carthage a safer, stronger city by providing beautiful spaces for families and neighbors to meet in our city’s parks.

This effort is a collaboration between the CVB and Pinewood Nursery in Carthage. Trees are available in six varieties, including October Glory, Autumn Blaze, and Red Sunset Maples, as well as a Redbud, White Dogwood, and Cleveland Select Flowering Pear. All varieties are available in a 5 gallon size, and are six to eight feet tall each. Residents or businesses may purchase them through the Carthage CVB for $40 per tree and may pick them up during the city’s annual Maple Leaf Festival, Sunday October 12 on the historic Carthage square beginning at 1 pm. All orders must be placed no later than Wednesday, October 1 in order to ensure delivery.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau hopes to continue sharing unique programs and innovative tools to better serve our visitors before, during, and after they spend time in Carthage. For more information on tourism in Carthage, contact the CCVB by calling 417.359.8181 or log on to www.visit-carthage.com.

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For immediate release: May 7, 2008

Carthage celebrates Great Traditions with National Tourism Week

Carthage, Mo. – The Travel Industry Association (TIA) announces the selection of “Discover Great American Traditions” as the theme for the 25th annual National Tourism Week, to be held May 10-18.

The silver anniversary theme encourages travel to American locales and highlights the role that tourism plays in discovering the icons of a destination.

“From baseball games and Broadway shows to ‘The Great American Road Trip,’ our collective memories are filled with places and activities traditionally associated with travel,” said Roger J. Dow, President and CEO of TIA. “For our 25th celebration of National Tourism Week, TIA is presenting cities and states with a theme and resources to help them interpret and celebrate the defining assets of their destinations.”

National Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country's economy, security and perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism.

Carthage CVB Director Kate Massey says, “There is no better time to talk about tourism and the importance of visitors than now. Tourism is crucial in our community, bringing dollars to Carthage that support a variety of businesses and amenities that add to our quality of life.”

Recent studies show that every $1 invested in tourism marketing within the state returns an average of $4.60 in state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages, and $53 in gross sales.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau hopes to continue sharing unique programs and innovative tools to better serve our visitors before, during, and after they spend time in Carthage.  For more information on tourism in Carthage, contact the CCVB by calling 417.359.8181 or log on to www.visit-carthage.com.

History of National Tourism Week
National Tourism Week was established in 1983 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with "the appropriate ceremonies and activities." Industry leaders and public relations professionals from the major travel and tourism trade associations were the first volunteers to manage the annual event. By January 1986 industry leaders had formed a permanent full-time office at TIA to sponsor the event and expand tourism awareness into year-round programs.

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For immediate release: April 25, 2008

Southwest Missouri showcases local talent at annual event

Carthage, Mo. – The Carthage and Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureaus joined together to welcome some of the area’s finest artists to a unique showcase this week. Artists from across southwest Missouri were invited to participate in the annual Artist’s Day at the Capitol event, giving them the platform to speak to state legislators about the importance of art in the area.

“The event was a huge success again this year," says Kate Massey, executive director of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB). "We have such an amazing amount of talent and artistry in southwest Missouri and I am proud we can join together with Representative Hunter to showcase it in such a positive way. We hope to continue this tradition next year after Rep. Hunter’s replacement is in office as well."

Massey adds, "Our artists bring to life communities, memories, and emotions in every piece they produce. It was wonderful to have such a great opportunity to speak with legislators about the importance these artists have in our communities."

Artists were also introduced to the Missouri House of Representatives, taken on a tour of the Capitol building, and given the opportunity to meet and speak with legislators and visitors to the Capitol Building from around the state.

For more information on artists in the Carthage area, contact the CCVB by calling 359.8181 and for artists in the Joplin area, contact the Joplin CVB by calling 625.4789.

*Photos are available of the event by request.

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For immediate release: April 1, 2008

Carthage ranked among state’s best in recent publication

Carthage, Mo. – The city of Carthage was recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in Missouri, according to the sixth annual Best of Rural Missouri Readers Choice awards. The awards celebrate the uniqueness of the Show-Me State while introducing distinctive shops and restaurants and one-of-a-kind destinations to the public.  

More than half a million rural electric cooperative members were asked to vote for their favorite foods and destinations throughout the state. Carthage drew accolades for our beautiful courthouse, prosperous town square, and picture-perfect Victorian homes and historic buildings.

“This award is a great opportunity for domestic travelers to hear about and explore the many historical and cultural activities and destinations that make our city great," says Kate Massey, executive director of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB). "With our rich history, breathtaking scenery, and numerous activities, unforgettable vacation memories are available for the entire family right here in Carthage."

Massey adds, "With the increasing cost of gas, more families are choosing day and weekend trips for their family getaways. As they begin planning their summer vacations, we'd like to remind them to explore the treasures found right here in Carthage."

Other cities ranked in the Most Beautiful Town category included Hermann, Weston, Ste. Genevieve, and Cole Camp. For more information on tourism in Carthage, contact the CCVB by calling 417.359.8181 or log on to www.visit-carthage.com.

Rural Missouri is published monthly by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

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For immediate release: August 6, 2007

National talent to perform at new Carthage event

Carthage, Mo. – The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau has partnered with the Carthage Chamber of Commerce to bring a new event showcasing national talent to Carthage this fall.

The city of Carthage will celebrate the 41st annual Maple Leaf Festival October 13 – 20, 2007. Traditional festival events include southwest Missouri’s largest parade, quilt show, car show, marching band competition, and much more. This year, the Carthage CVB and Chamber have teamed up to bring something new to the festival.

Boots, Bands, & BBQ is a free, outdoor concert that will take place at 7 pm Saturday, October 20. The Carthage CVB and Chamber have secured nationally recognized talent to headline the concert this year, as well as a local restaurateur to serve fantastic barbeque to the crowd. The show will be the first live entertainment production of its kind to join the Maple Leaf Festival lineup.

Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Kate Massey and Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Services Debra Smith plan to explain the event and give a very special preview of the entertainment during a news conference at 10 am Tuesday, August 14 at the Bykota Community Center, 430 West Elk Street, Carthage.

 “The Maple Leaf Festival is a hallmark of Carthage. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is thrilled to stand behind such a great event at this year’s festival,” says Massey. “We hope to see Boots, Bands, & BBQ as a permanent fixture at Maple Leaf.”

For more information, contact the Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling 417.359.8181.

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For immediate release: May 31, 2007

New website helps visitors navigate Carthage

Carthage, Mo. – Planning a trip to Carthage, Missouri has gotten even easier due to the recent launch of the Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s redesigned website, located at visit-carthage.com. Visitors to the region can now use the site to rediscover the area, get information on destination attractions, and create a customized trip itinerary.

Designed by Sunrise Media Group of Joplin, Mo, the new site has an updated look, new technologies and features, improved navigation, and enhanced functionality. Highlights include:

• Expanded listings – event listings, attractions, hotels, and restaurants now include contact information, website links, short descriptions, and a photo
• Image library – media members can download images of the region’s most popular sites and attractions in the new Image Library located in the Media Professional section.
• Downloadable information – travelers who don’t want to wait to receive mailed information can easily download PDF versions of select brochures

These new features supplement the website’s other tourist information, including accommodations, visitor services, event planning guides, dining guides, local links, facility and parks information, and getaway packages. 

Kate Massey, Executive director of the Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau, initiated the creation and implemetation of the website as one of her first initiatives in her new position.  Massey commented, “In the competitive business of attracting tourists, events, and group travel to our area, our site needs to stand out.  We reviewed websites from similar tourism agencies across the country to develop the goals for our site and awarded the contract to the local advertising agency Sunrise Media Group to design and implement the website.  After a lot of research, planning, and strategic efforts, I am proud to say we now have a website that reflects the abundance of attractions and benefits to potential visitors.” 

The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official tourist promotion agency of the city of Carthage, Missouri. Its mission is to develop and promote the Carthage area as a leisure destination and destination for meetings and conventions for the area’s economic benefit. For more information on CCVB and its activities, or to request visitor information, contact them by calling 417.359.8181 or visit the official tourism website of Carthage at visit-carthage.com.

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