The City of Knoxville and Knox County announced they are issuing a joint Request for Information regarding tourism marketing. The RFI does not appear to be a formal request for bids, but rather a request for information and ideas from "applicants with expertise in community branding and marketing."

KTSC's contracts with the City and County expire June 30th. Mayor Burchett says this is an "opportunity to explore its tourism efforts and allows KTSC to compete as a key marketer of the region." Mayor Rogero says there "needs to be a larger discussion taking place."

More in the press release after the jump...

CITY, COUNTY JOIN FOR RFI ON TOURISM

The City of Knoxville and Knox County are evaluating their tourism marketing needs through requests for information (RFIs) for professionals to help both governments make the most of their tourism budgets. The RFI has a deadline of June 5th.

"During the past few months, we have said there needs to be a larger discussion taking place about our attributes and how Knoxville is marketed," Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. "By identifying our needs with a fresh perspective, we can ensure the dollars we spend on tourism have a greater return."

"Hearing from the private sector is an important step toward making sure that whatever organization is marketing Knoxville and Knox County is doing so as effectively, efficiently and transparently as possible," said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. "The RFI process will give us an opportunity to explore our options as discussions around the KTSC contract continue."

As part of this continuing process, the City and County are asking interested applicants with expertise in community branding and marketing to help define our community’s attributes and identify what makes the area unique and marketable. Part of the process will likely include meetings with key stakeholders as well as public input.

Currently, the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation is responsible for attracting business and leisure travelers to Knoxville and Knox County in addition to booking conventions and conferences. The contract between KTSC and both governments expires on June 30, 2012, which allows the opportunity to explore its tourism efforts and allows KTSC to compete as a key marketer of the region.