Lodging Tax

The Warrensburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (WCVB) is an entity created by the City of Warrensburg Ordinance No. 3334. The WCVB has a 10-member advisory board and one full-time staff member. The organization is funded by the lodging tax. 

The lodging tax was first approved by qualified voters in the City of Warrensburg in 1998. On April 2, 2019, General Municipal Election ballot, the City of Warrensburg qualified voters approved the lodging tax rate increase from 2.5% to 5%. 

Local Tourism Data (2021/2022 historical data): 

  • Avg. length of stay for all visitors: 2.3 days 
  • The majority of visitors to Warrensburg stayed overnight (72%)
  • Avg. distance traveled 303 miles
  • Avg. repeat trips 2.84
  • Top 5 origin states: MO, KS, TX, IL & AR 

What does the Warrensburg Convention and Visitors Bureau do? 

The WCVB works to bring visitors to our community to utilize lodging establishments, restaurants, and retail businesses. The WCVB’s mission can be achieved by effectively telling the communities story in all marketing pieces and providing a positive experience for visitors and event organizers. 

Area attractions, activities, and events are supported by the WCVB with event support, marketing assistance, and the WCVB grant program. 

Events Supported: 

  • Children’s Literature Festival
  • Old Drum Festival
  • UCM Athletics 
  • Burg Fest 
  • Dickens Christmas

The WCVB grant program is available to qualified nonprofits hosting events in the Warrensburg area. The program allows organizers to expand their marketing reach to increase event attendance and contribute to tourism in Warrensburg.  

The WCVB has awarded more than $40,000 to area events since 2015. 

Grant Recipients: 

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County-Cornhole Tournament
  • Blind Boone Symposium
  • Blaine Whitworth Go Big or Go Home Foundation-Golf Tournament
  • Johnson County Cancer Foundation-Golf Tournament
  • Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce 
  • Warrensburg Lions Club-All-Star Football Game
  • Warrensburg Main Street-Burg Fest

Who pays the lodging tax

This tax is only paid by consumers who utilize the services of lodging establishments located in the City of Warrensburg. The WCVB receives 100 percent of the lodging tax collected to promote tourism. 

How are the lodging tax funds used? 

The lodging tax supports the WCVB's mission of telling Warrensburg's story. The funds allow the WCVB to advertise through print and digital platforms, provide grants and sponsorships, and pay for the operation of the Warrensburg Visitor Center and staffing. 

How does tourism benefit the community?

The taxes paid by area visitors among other revenue collected supports the state's and city's public services. This relieves residents from having to finance 100% of the services. When a visitor stays in the community they shop, eat, and utilize various services. 

Tourism-related spending in Johnson County in 2022 was more than $84 million as per MO Department of Revenue NAICS Spending.  

Tourism also creates jobs in our area. In 2022, there were 1,734 tourism-related jobs in Johnson County.  Source: MO Department of Revenue. 

The local economy is impacted by visitors' average spending of $322 per overnight trip at restaurants, retail businesses, and lodging establishments. 

Questions? 

For more information, email Marcy Barnhart or call 660-262-4611.