What is Support St. Charles Tourism?
This is an awareness effort made up of residents, business owners, and other community members to educate on the impacts of tourism on the City of St. Charles and the surrounding region. In August of 2025, city’s mayoral administration attempted to disrupt this programming and mission, proposing a complete restructure and weakening of the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, putting at risk the economic health and identity of the city. Support St. Charles Tourism serves to activate and inform stakeholders towards action to protect the tourism efforts that make the City of St. Charles a sought-after destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a detailed look at what this all means, click here for a PDF (Updated September 2026). Please share with your friends and family!
Tourism Impact 101
Specialized Skills
Tourism marketing is not general communications. It reles on industry networking, long-lead sales, and market-specific storytelling.
Signature Events
Christmas Traditions ®, Legends & Lanterns ®, and Once Upon A Valentine ® are proven economic drivers. Without dedicated tourism oversight, quality and visitor draw will decline.
Economic Impact
A 5% drop in room nights means $3M lost hotel revenue plus $30K lost lodging tax annually, not including lost restaurant and retail sales.
Economic Realities
Conslidating departments may save money on paper, but it would cost revenue in practice.
Fiscal Responsibility
Responsibility for managing the conditions tied to the disbursement of 1% tax funds, state grant funds, and outsourced revenue funds from St. Charles County.
Tourism Tax
By ordinance, tourism tax revenue must promote tourism. Weakening the department responsible for generating it is counterproductive. Click to read more.
What Is The CVB?
The St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau (“CVB”) plays a vital role in promoting tourism, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the economic and cultural vitality of our community. Beginning in August of 2025, the City of St. Charles City Council considered changes to the leadership and structure of the CVB. After intense public backlash, the Mayor and administration tabled the plan temporarily. Such changes, if enacted without adequate study and input, would have unintended consequences for tourism, local businesses, and the community at large. It is in the best interest of the City and its residents to ensure that all decisions regarding the CVB are based on accurate, comprehensive, and transparent information. If changes are desired, a formal impact study of all tourism events would provide the City Council with the necessary data to evaluate the economic, cultural, and community benefits generated by tourism.