
Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee
“Travel” and “Tourism” mean the action and activities of people taking trips outside their home communities for any purpose, except daily commuting to and from work. Accommodations tax (ATAX) funds must be used to attract and provide for tourists, and must be spent on tourism-related expenditures.
ATAX Goals:
- To design and implement a media campaign to increase overall awareness of Sumter as a destination.
- Implement an educational program for employees in the hospitality industry, with the goal of increasing visitation to the Sumter community.
- To increase visitation and tracking performance through an integrated campaign promoting Sumter’s local attractions.
- To increase visitation and tracking performance through an integrated campaign promoting Sumter’s most notable events.
ATAX Committee Members:
Hospitality & Lodging Members
- Nicole Cuevas, Springhill Suites
- Tracy McLaughlin, 1912 Bed & Breakfast
- Tommie Sorrell, Willie Sue's
- Earl Wilson, Jr., Arby's
Cultural Representative
- Wygelia Palmer, Singer
At-Large Members
- Michael Brown, Assured Partners/Bynum Insurance
- Caleb McGowan, Synovus
Ex-Officio (non-voting) Members
- Chris Hardy, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
- Shelley Kile, City of Sumter
- Phil Parnell, Sumter County
Interested in serving on this committee? Click here to download a Citizens Form for Service.