Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority is to provide direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Authority's mission, goals, and objectives.

Responsibilities of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority are as follows: (1) to provide general continuity for the Authority, (2) to elect Authority Officers and to monitor their performance, (3) attend monthly and called meetings of the Authority Board of Directors as stated per the Board Attendance Policy, (4) upon recommendation of the Board, the Chairman will appoint, define the powers of, and dissolve Committees of the Board, (5) upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Authority Board will hire and establish compensation for the Executive Director/COO, (6) evaluate the performance of the President/COO, (7) develop and oversee the fiscal budget for the Authority which includes operational funding for the CVB, Conference Center, Sports Commission, The Crescent, Historical Society, and Hahira and Lake Park tourism-related promotions and special events, (8) review and approve capital expenditures in the amount of $10,000.00 or more, (9) review and approve all Authority policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, (10) represent the Authority at special events and meetings on the local and State level, (11) review and approve contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the Authority (12) to ensure, through continuous review, that the Directors and Officers of the Authority act in accordance with established ethical and professional standards, (13) to increase the effectiveness of management by rendering advice and guidance to the Authority Board Chairman and other principal Officers, (14) to advise the Authority Board Chairman in regard to major decisions affecting the Authority's capitalization structure, resource allocations, and other major financial matters, and (15) to act in accordance with Federal and State laws. All appointees must review and acknowledge receipt of the Authority's Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest Policy, and Board-Staff Contact Policy.

Members

The Conference Center & Tourism Authority is composed of eight members with four appointed by the City and four appointed by the County.  One City appointee must be a City Council member and one County appointee must be a County Commissioner.  Also, one City appointee and one County appointee shall be associated with or employed in the lodging and tourism industry.  The remaining two City and County appointees are At-Large positions.  Members will serve a three-year term.

Officers and Members

  • Chris Jones - At Large (City) - Term Expires 12/31/26
  • Mike Smith, Chairman - At Large (County) - Term Expires 12/31/26
  • Daniel Bayman - At Large (City)- Term Expires 12/31/25
  • Jon Vigue - Vice Chair - At Large (County) - Term Expires 12/31/25
  • Jamie Phelps - Lodging & Tourism (City) - Term Expires 12/31/27
  • Rick Williams - Lodging & Tourism - (County) 12/31/24
  • Councilman Tim Carroll - Council Appointment (City) - Term Expires 12/31/26
  • Commissioner Joyce Evans - County Commission Appointment - Term Expires 12/31/26

Ex Officio

  • City Manager Richard Hardy
  • County Manager Paige Dukes

Meetings

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the executive Board Room at the Rainwater Conference Center located at #1 Meeting Place.  View the 2024 Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting Schedule.

Interested in Serving

Any City resident interested in serving on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority should submit a completed General Membership Application and a signed Code of Ethics Form to Teresa Bolden, City Clerk,  located in the City Manager and Mayor's office in City Hall, 216 East Central Avenue, Valdosta, GA 31601. 

More Information

For more information, please contact City Clerk Teresa Bolden at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail, or contact President and CEO David Disalvo at the Rainwater Conference Center at (229) 245-0513 or visit Rainwater Conference Center or Visit Valdosta.