The Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau is hoping revenue from a hotel and motel tax hike will help to make the city more effective in attracting special events to Ames.

The bureau has proposed to raise the current city tax from 5 to 7 percent, generating an estimated income of $300,000 per year.

The Ames City Council will vote at its next meeting whether to put the bureau’s proposed tax increase on the ballot in April.

The projected funds, which come as a result of an 18-month study focused on the needs of Ames events, will go primarily toward marketing the city for potential events and conferences, said John McCarroll, member of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors.

“We found that our resources kept coming up short,” McCarroll said.

“We realized we needed to invest more in marketing the community.”

Iowa Games, Odyssey of the Mind and the first-ever national Special Olympics are events scheduled in Ames in the next two years. Julie Weeks, executive director of the visitors bureau, said she hopes to build on this success in order to attract more major events that require overnight lodging.

In 2003, visitors to Ames spent more than $51 million in the area, according to the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Approximately 30 percent was spent on lodging.

“The increase would really help the economic stability of the community by attracting new groups,” said Dan Withrow, chairman of the visitors bureau’s membership and education committee. “Visitors often spend money on restaurants and entertainment.”

A portion of the funds will go toward adding a new sales position and interns to the bureau, Weeks said. Money will also go to maps, dining guides, online reservations and other services for visitors.

“We really want to showcase what Ames and Iowa State have to offer,” Weeks said.

Five percent of the overall budget will go to a grant program to assist local organizations that are consistent with the mission to bring people to Ames, McCarroll said.

Weeks said the bureau will pay the entry or bid fees for organizations that draw overnight visitors.

“We want to encourage developments and enhance existing events to add to the quality of life for visitors and residents,” Weeks said.