There was a lot of news print on the old Knox Tourism and Sports Corp (aka Sports Corp.) back when Gloria Ray and David Duncan were CEO and Chairman of the Board. But they are gone. The RFP/RFQ was issued by Knox County and Knoxville City.

There were three respondents and the committee of 5 (2 from the county, 2 from the city and 1 appointed by the State of Tennessee Tourism Commissioner) selected the old Sports Corp group which is now called Visit Knoxville with Kim Bumpas as CEO and I don’t recall from memory who the Chair of the Board is. Anyhoo!

I saw where General Manager of the Downtown Hampton Inn Anita Lane and former Knox County Commission Vice Chairman Brad Anders have recently been appointed to the board with one or two others.

The questions are has the contract been approved? How has the operation changed? Is the County and City Mayors pleased with how the operation is proceeding? Is the only change that they eliminated a charismatic, energetic leader in Gloria Ray that for some reason former Mayor Victor Ashe disliked?