Do you remember the failed NewBo Evolve event? The festival shut down Go Cedar Rapids for good which, at the time, was the city's equivalent to the convention and visitors' bureau and a huge partner to community businesses. The organization lost $2.3 million putting it on.

After Go Cedar Rapids dissolved, VenuWorks took over the events business in Cedar Rapids. Earlier this week, the city council seemed to signal a vote of confidence in their ability to bring top entertainment to the area.

They already run the Paramount Theatre, U.S. Cellular Center and McGrath Amphitheatre in town and will now continue to oversee the convention and visitors' bureau for at least another year.

$750,000 of hotel and motel tax revenue (where NewBo Evolve funding was supposed to come from) has been approved by the city council for them to keep bidding on new projects and events to bring to town, as well as pay the staff for those already on the books--like the popular 2021 National Curling Championships in Cedar Rapids.

Councilmember Scott Olson hopes to see the day a more official convention and visitors' bureau, complete with a board of directors, can exist again in Cedar Rapids.

[Via KCRG]

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