Contract signing ends squabble that included split board votes.

There won’t be any doubt about whether Compass is getting the job done, the company’s local manager said Wednesday.

&#8220We’ll set measurable goals; we’ll train (Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau employees) and track those goals. It’s all about results and performance,” Larry Gawronski said at a contract-signing event.

&#8220We’re going to draw on everybody’s strengths,” Gawronski said. &#8220VCVB employees will do the work.”

The signing of the Compass deal with the local tourism agency and extension of the firm’s contract with the City of Vicksburg follows nine months of often bitter debates and stalemates among the VCVB board members, appointed by city officials and Warren County supervisors.

Gawronski, who first came to Vicksburg as manager of the Vicksburg Convention Center as it was being built, said the focus will be on the future.

&#8220Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work,” he said.

The VCVB was formed by state legislation 34 years ago, and its volunteer board has in the past named an executive director who hired and managed a staff. The agency has its own funding, usually about $1 million per year from a 1 percent tourism tax.

Vicksburg built its Mulberry Street convention hall 10 years ago and former Mayor Joe Loviza hired Gawronski as a director before it opened. Gawronski later left to work for Compass, based in Iowa, but returned nearly five years ago when city officials decided to privatize management of the convention center and, later, Vicksburg Auditorium.

The firm’s five-year city contract would have expired in September, but on Wednesday was renewed for five years. The city will pay Compass $10,942.39 a month, up from the previous $10,800 a month. Gawronski termed it a cost-of-living increase.

There is no separate provision to pay Compass for its VCVB duties under a two-year deal.

The city contract also renews performance bonuses for Compass, up to $30,000 a year, based on attendance, number of rentals, city satisfaction and room nights, while decreasing the operating losses at the convention center.

Tim Darden, a hotel executive and the newest member of the VCVB board, said the deal shows residents have the ability to create change in the community.

&#8220I think Compass has the tools, resources and overall drive to move Vicksburg to the next plateau,” said Darden, who was elected board chairman after the previous chairman, casino executive Curt Follmer, resigned last fall.

Margaret Gilmer, an owner of Vicksburg Factory Outlets, said she was happy to see the contract signed.

Gilmer spoke at VCVB public meetings in support of hiring Compass to manage the bureau and is a member of the Vicksburg-Warren Community Alliance, a group that adopted a resolution asking the board to hire Compass.

&#8220Change is never easy but sometimes change is necessary,” Gilmer said. &#8220We’re excited. We feel like it’s a new beginning and a new chance to work together.”

Compass has already begun work with the VCVB. During a 45-day research period before the final contract was signed, Compass employees reviewed VCVB records and procedures.

The contract states Compass must present an overview of the VCVB operation to the board on March 15. A month later, Compass is scheduled to present proposed business and marketing plans to the board.

Gawronski said Compass will be working for the board, which will continue to have full authority over the operation of the VCVB.

&#8220All of our authority comes via the Board of Directors,” Gawronski said.

Darden said all VCVB employees will remain employees of the bureau.

&#8220Compass has no authority to hire or terminate employees,” he said.

However, Gawronski expects job responsibilities to be shifted.

He said Clara Ross Stamps, who has served as interim executive director for the last 11 months, will return to her former position with the bureau as head of sales and marketing.

Gawronski said the report to the board will also give suggestions on how the VCVB staff can be realigned to be more visible.

&#8220We feel a Saturday presence is necessary,” he said.

The VCVB operates welcome centers on Clay Street across from the entrance to the Vicksburg National Military Park and downtown at Washington and Clay streets. Most of its budget is spent on regional advertising, brochures and staff.

Compass is a privately held company. Its other clients include Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D.; Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in Iowa; Clay County Regional Event Center in Spencer, Iowa; Delta Plex in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville, N.C.; Racine Civic Centre in Wisconsin; River Center and Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa; Swiftel Center in Brookings, S.D.; Topeka Performing Arts Center in Kansas; Three Rivers Convention Center, Toyota Arena, and Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash.; and U.S. Cellular Center/Paramount Theatre in Iowa.