Steve’s breakdown: This is a significant development for the Ozarks because they have matching funds coming. That puts the total marketing budget at almost $670,000. If you’ve vacationed at the lake and know your tourism marketing, this account is a lay-up.

The Lake of the Ozarks Area Business Districts of Camden, Miller and Morgan Counties Advisory Board and the TCLA were notified May 31 that $334,748 was being provided through the Department of Tourism’s Cooperative Marketing Program.

The TCLA serves as the Designated Marketing Organization of the lake area and applied for matching marketing funds in five categories: destination advertising, convention marketing, research, public relations and leisure travel marketing.

All funds requested as part of the Cooperative Marketing Program were awarded as follows:

•Destination Advertising — $227,201.50

•Convention Marketing — $5,795

•Research — $4,200

•Public Relations — $50,000

•Leisure Travel Marketing — $47,551.50

Matching funds will come from the TCLA and Area Business Districts.

“This is one of the most valuable programs offered by the state through the Division of Tourism,” noted Jim Divincen, TCLA administrator. “This allows our board of directors to double the lake’s advertising effectiveness each year. We’re thrilled to receive these funds to promote and advertise the lake for all area businesses.”

The funds will help advertise and promote the lake on a larger scale than normally would be feasible without the funds. The money will also help attract positive media attention as well as conduct a research study to help in determining if visitors are coming the lake after requesting and receiving the Lake of the Ozarks Vacation and Services Guide and in which markets the visitors live.

The main goal of the program is to bring more visitors to the lake, to increase tourism revenues for accommodation facilities, restaurants, attractions, golf courses and retail stores. Increased revenues will contribute to additional sales tax revenues to support the lake’s cities and counties, Divincen said.

Source: