The City Advertising and Promotion Commission’s regular May 27 meeting marked the second round of approval for marketing support funds this year. With 15 applications on the table the meeting went nearly three hours.
Commissioner Robert Schmid noted that the budget for funding is $100,000. With $29,000 already committed, and $60,923 to be approved that night, it put the CAPC at $90,000 of their budget. “If we approve everything the way it is presented, we don’t really have a lot of things for the last part of the year to give away,” Schmid said. He added that the commission should be aware they may need to cut down on requests and that he does “not really see that we should increase our budget at the end of the year” like last year. It was noted that even everything committed is for this year’s budget even if the event is next year’s.
Fat Tire Festival was the first, saying they could market to riders through digital marketing as well as through email subscribers, bike shops and magazine spots, as well as influencer networks. The festival is run by non-profit Ozark Foundation. Schmid noted that the request was for $5,000 but the amount listed in their application was for $3,500. He motioned to approve the $3,500 with Commissioner Coltan Scrivener seconding, and it passed.
Dr. Goldsmith, bringing the Western District Play to the Crescent Hotel on July 19, said the show promotes Eureka Springs as at the end of the play the characters who have stolen money from Fort Smith leave for Eureka Springs. The play has been running since April in and around the Fort Smith area. The application for $2,000 is only to promote the show in Eureka Springs, and the event is run by the non-profit Riverside Film Society. Scrivener motioned for $2,000 with a second from David Avanzino.
The Chamber of Commerce had two requests, the Classic Car Show and Shine. Marketing Coordinator Devin Henderson said the event is meant to bring in regional visitors for overnight stays, and the Chamber did not ask for marketing support last year. Avanzino asked if the event has a host hotel to which Henderson replied it does not. Some commissioners made note of complaints from visitors that there had been a lack of awards for the event. Henderson replied it is hard for the Chamber’s small staff to pull off, and that in speaking with clubs, they are seeking camaraderie more than awards.
Schmid noted in the application the estimated CAPC funds generated to the request is a wide discrepancy and suggested giving the show $2,500. Avanzino asked if the Chamber would take on the marketing expense in the future, and Henderson responded if the show works out, they might. Avanzino made a motion for $3,500 with Schmid seconding, passing unanimously.
The second request was for holiday events including the Christmas Parade, Holiday Home Decorating contest, and the Chamber’s new Christmas at the Inns Tour. This received the full $5,000 requested.
Next were the promoters of the Hillberry festival and The Farm campground with two requests, the first being for the Hillberry Music Festival in the fall. The festival is going on its 11th year, drawing around 4,000 attendees. Presenters said that attendees spend money in Eureka Springs, noting that the festival runs daily shuttles from the event to downtown. They also noted that the event helps support several charities, including a portion of alcohol sales going to Turpentine Creek and a food drive.
Presenters also noted when the question of how many rooms are booked for the event that Hillberry also pays for rooms for their artists, and some festivalgoers choose to stay in hotels or BnBs rather than camping. Avanzino said he sees an increase of restaurant and bar business during the event, but Schmid said it was difficult to judge on how to vote on an event outside of Eureka Springs. The event was approved for $5,000 with commissioners asking if they could get an estimate of people who camp versus those who must find a place to stay for the five days.
The second application was for The Farm’s Bikes, Blues, and BBQ marketing. Avanzino said he felt it was sponsoring a campground more than an event, and is outside city limits. The Farm is the host campground for BB&BBQ, and promoters explained that they received the title expecting it to become more an event in and of itself. BB&BBQ requires 25 percent of their revenue for the title. They said they initially did not have events beyond camping, but the campground found a need to start entertaining campers. They argued that they are looking to expand what the campground is offering and like the Hillberry event, wanting to partner with Eureka Springs to bring more people to the campground and town.
Avanzino said that while he could see what The Farm is trying to do, the CAPC would be setting a precedent by funding a campground. Scrivener said that if The Farm becomes a hub during BB&BBQ they might get funded in the future. He also noted it might be different if money were going to BB&BBQ rather than a campground. Avanzino suggested they come back after the event so the CAPC can look at metrics and work toward a partnership.
Eureka Springs Historical Museum Director Jeff Danos presented for Voices from Eureka’s Silent City. Danos said the event had people from New York and California with 1,500 lodging nights for 112 people, some staying multiple nights through survey work. He mentioned conflicting information regarding “legacy events” in the guidelines, including that events shouldn’t be funded for more than three years and that events with a “history of attracting out of town visitors” are preferred. Commissioners clarified they had not decided on how long events could or could not be funded. Voices was awarded $5,000 for marketing.
Sharon Lawlor, owner of Bridgeford House on Spring Street, presented a plan to bring the Gilmore Girls to Eureka Springs, promoting shopping in town. She said the focus would be tied to episodes of the Gilmore Girls, including weddings in the park, a dance marathon, and other events such as the Classic Car Parade and the re-enactment of the bank robbery. Gilmore Girls in the Ozarks was awarded $2,500.
Gene Flake, who promoted the I Do! I Do! musical fundraiser for Purple Flower with CAPC funds, brought another show, The Apple Tree musical for Good Shepherd Humane Society for consideration. The event is at Main Stage June 25 – 27 in the evenings and a matinee on June 28. $2,423 was approved.
Hannah Grogan and Paige Elizabeth presented the Harvest Witch Festival, a free event for shops to participate in downtown with witch-themed activities being the draw for visitors including a parade and activities in Basin Park. They requested $1,500 for the banner, advertising and flyers, and were awarded that amount.
The two also presented for Eureka Springs Pride that will take place on June 11 – 14. Last year the event had roughly 17,500 visitors according to the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development. The event asked for the full $5,000 for ads already run, such as on Facebook marketing. While it is not a non-profit, the event does give non-profits free vendor space during Pride. There was some discussion about how to handle marketing with drag shows on public property such as Basin Park, considering Arkansas state laws. CAPC Administrative Manager Danyelle Harris said they’d already checked how to avoid any issue with the state. She also said that all advertising has shown what the CAPC is legally required to show such as “18+.” ES Pride was approved for the $5,000.
Eureka Springs Rotary presented for Jeep Jam this year, taking it over from Laci Moffitt. The event runs Sept. 10 – 13. There was discussion about what non-profits are supported, and it was clarified that the non-profit that has previously received support from the event, Peterson Outdoor Ministries (which provides outdoor recreational services for veterans), is not locked in every year to be the one supported and that non-profit support could change year-to-year. There was also concern over political flags displayed during the event and it was clarified that the event is non-political, they cannot control what’s displayed on the events, and that all are welcome to participate no matter belief or political spectrum. Rather than the full $5,000 requested, the commission agreed to $3,500.
Commissioners approved $2,000 for the Veterans’ Day Parade. There was talk about how the American Legion would be marketing the event and working closely with the CAPC to get more posts on social media.
Scrivener presented for Zombie Crawl, noting that Tourism Director Mike Maloney had told him it generated around $70,000 in CAPC tax last year. Zombie Crawl was approved $5,000 with Scrivener’s recusal.
A representative for Opera in the Ozarks was not present and thus funding could not be approved. The total amount of marketing funds approved were $45,923.