The primary purpose of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority is to provide direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Authority's mission, goals, and objectives.

Responsibilities of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority are as follows: (1) to provide general continuity for the Authority, (2) to elect Authority Officers and to monitor their performance, (3) attend monthly and called meetings of the Authority Board of Directors as stated per the Board Attendance Policy, (4) upon recommendation of the Board, the Chairman will appoint, define the powers of, and dissolve Committees of the Board, (5) upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Authority Board will hire and establish compensation for the Executive Director/COO, (6) evaluate the performance of the President/COO, (7) develop and oversee the fiscal budget for the Authority which includes operational funding for the CVB, Conference Center, Sports Commission, The Crescent, Historical Society, and Hahira and Lake Park tourism-related promotions and special events, (8) review and approve capital expenditures in the amount of $10,000.00 or more, (9) review and approve all Authority policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, (10) represent the Authority at special events and meetings on the local and State level, (11) review and approve contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the Authority (12) to ensure, through continuous review, that the Directors and Officers of the Authority act in accordance with established ethical and professional standards, (13) to increase the effectiveness of management by rendering advice and guidance to the Authority Board Chairman and other principal Officers, (14) to advise the Authority Board Chairman in regard to major decisions affecting the Authority's capitalization structure, resource allocations, and other major financial matters, and (15) to act in accordance with Federal and State laws. All appointees must review and acknowledge receipt of the Authority's Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest Policy, and Board-Staff Contact Policy.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Executive Board Room at the Rainwater Conference Center located at #1 Meeting Place.  View the 2020 Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting Schedule.

For more information, please contact City Clerk Teresa Bolden at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail, or contact President and CEO Chris Hamilton at the Rainwater Conference Center at (229) 245-0513 or visit Rainwater Conference Center or Visit Valdosta.

Mayor Scott James Matheson, City Councilmembers and City Manager Mark Barber helped cut the ribbon for the Taylor-Cowart Park Renovation Project. Thank you to all who helped make this project possible - it was a team effort!

This project was funded by #ValdostaSPLOST
City SPLOST 7 Funds - $35,000 - new parking spots added to the park!
City - VLPRA SPLOST 7 Funds - $132,000 - new playground equipment and swings!

Taylor-Cowart Park is located off Bemiss Road. It is 2.44 acres and rests under large shady oak and poplar trees.

VLPRA parks are such a huge amenity to our community!