Commission funds regional tourism association after quarterly tourism report

The Sullivan County Commission voted to appropriate $129,021.57 from occupancy‑tax collections to the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association following a quarterly report from county tourism partners.

Alicia Phelps of Northeast Tennessee Tourism presented the Oct.–Dec. quarterly marketing and performance report, describing campaigns targeting Atlanta, Nashville, Raleigh and Washington, D.C., and summarizing results: "over 2,300,000 impressions, 1,100,000 video watches, and 1,000 clicks" in the fall campaign and, for a winter campaign that ran through February, roughly 608,948 impressions and more than 538,000 video views in its first month. Phelps said the county landing page (exploresullivan.com) recorded 26,771 site visits since launch and emphasized partnerships with airports, Visit Kingsport and Explore Bristol to amplify outreach.

Commissioner Vanover sponsored a resolution to disburse $129,021.57 in FY25–26 occupancy‑tax proceeds to the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association and asked for a waiver of rules for immediate adoption. After discussion and a motion on the floor, the clerk recorded the vote as "21 yes, 3 absent" and the chair declared the item adopted.

Phelps and county economic partners said the marketing work is aimed at extending visitor stays and increasing lodging and dining spending, while preserving that lodging‑tax funds are restricted to tourism promotion and development; sales‑tax effects were described as an indirect benefit of increased visitor activity. No additional conditions or implementation timeline were specified at the meeting.