Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce director Kirk Mancer says he would invite city-funded tourism director to work with his organization’s existing program, if the city council elects to move forward with the proposal.

Mayor Max Townson said in an interview last week that two city council members — Jenny Folsom and Garlan Gudger Jr. — participated in a meeting with two separate tourism directors from across the state in recent months to learn more about the benefits of having a full-time director on staff. The mayor and Cullman Museum director Elaine Fuller, who Townson credited with arranging the meeting, were involved in the discussions, too.

“If they decide to fill the position, we would certainly invite that person to participate with us,” Mancer said.

The chamber has a tourism director, Erika Mead, on staff who is responsible for duties involving the promotion of attractions and events across the county. She also travels and speaks at gatherings about the area’s attractions, Mancer said.

Tourism benefits for the area are measured in different ways, but among the most important the chamber’s operation follows is hotel occupancy. Mancer said the lodging tax receipts help fund tourism promotion, but the occupancy rate also translates into dollars spent for gasoline, food and retail purchases.

“We’ve had some great events here. In addition to the recent concert (Rock the South), there was the air show, which was a positive. We also work to promote the area as a stopping place for travelers who are going to the Gulf or going to Talladega to make a stop here and stay the night,” Mancer said.

He emphasized that a steady lodging report from hotels is a good indication that visitors are exploring other aspects of the community.

Both Folsom and Townson said last week that their intent is to continue working with the chamber’s tourism efforts. Gudger, in an interview Wednesday, agreed.

“The chamber has a great staff and does a good job,” Gudger said. “We feel like we can help by considering this move. I really think we’re positioning the city and the entire county for growth. There is great communication going on throughout our area, and when you have that you can grow. When you visit other areas you realize how many positive things we have in our favor. A lot of growth is under way. We want to help this along and put our community at the top as a destination, for entertainment, and the type of economic growth that makes this the place to invest for business and families.”

Gudger said a full-time tourism director would be a valuable resource the city could share for the entire area.

“The growth and potential growth is all over the area. We believe we can help make the goals of the community and the business community continue to move forward. We know we’re in a great position at this time,” Gudger said.

The city council will begin discussing its budget this summer and expects to install a new 10-year growth plan. Formal discussions about the tourism director post are expected to accelerate at that time and may be included in the new fiscal year, which begins in October.