I serve as the Chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission. The Commission oversees and helps direct the Missouri Division of Tourism and I work closely with my fellow Commission members and the Division Director and his staff to help promote and expand the second largest industry in our state.

Missouri Tourism, for the first time, has a budget of over $20 million dollars to promote the sites and attractions that can be found in our state. For every dollar invested by the state in advertisement and promotion, studies have found that nearly $1.70 is brought back to the state in tourism dollars spent.

I am directing the effort to bring the largest single sporting event in Missouri’s history to the state September 11-16, 2007. The Tour of Missouri will bring six days of professional cycling to Missouri, with nearly 120 professional cyclists racing all across the state.

Much like the Tour de France, the Tour of Missouri will crisscross the state and will give thousands of visitors and Missourians the chance to meet and see world-class athletes in person.

The Tour of Missouri will not only deliver millions of dollars in tourism revenue to the state, it will also help to promote a healthy lifestyle for Missourians of all ages.

I believe the Tour of Missouri is a great example of how state government can assist and work with private citizens and business to help build a growing economy, as well as provide a unique entertainment event for thousands of people.