Nicky Boyette – The City Advertising and Promotion Commission convened two special meetings Monday afternoon and during the second one, Parks Director Justin Huss pushed his case for $20,000 in support from the CAPC for a strong Eureka Springs presence at the November International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) World Summit in Bentonville.
Huss’s plan was for Eureka Springs to have a Platinum level booth right beside Bentonville. He said it was important to make a big impact. Among the participants would be riders who travel together to ride certain kinds of trails. Huss said he wanted those people to remember they can ride here and rest here. Eureka Springs is becoming surrounded by different trails systems, and Huss sees the IMBA World Summit as a golden opportunity not only to spread the word among bikers and industry representatives but to the Walton Foundation, so they will have another reason to notice Eureka Springs.
Commissioner Damon Henke said he liked the concept but was not convinced enough to support a $20,000 investment. He wondered if Eureka Springs would not get lost in the avalanche of Bentonville sponsors, which gave Huss the opportunity to reemphasize importance of a booth right beside Bentonville’s. In addition, he sees Bentonville as being in his marketing egg, so he wants Bentonville to notice us as well.
Huss said he sees value in taking the booth to mountain biking shows in Colorado and Utah. Bikers cannot ride around Park City, Utah, in the winter, but they can around Eureka Springs. He wants riders to associate “Ride Here, Rest Here” with Eureka Springs.
Commissioner James DeVito also did not like the high price. He said Eureka Springs would get probably as much out of the next level of sponsorship. He asked if it were possible for attendees to learn about Eureka Springs before they came to the area.
Planning commissioner Susan Harman asked who would do the follow-up, without which the whole effort is likely wasted. She said the city has to send attendees a survey, using the opportunity to learn something.
Huss said 500-800 people are expected to attend, among them decision-makers such as club presidents, industry representatives and riders who know other riders. “These are serious people,” he commented.
Henke and DeVito remained unconvinced, but Huss remained undeterred. DeVito said he would rather save on the upfront investment to spend on the back end, the follow-up. Huss replied, “We’re looking at the same thing and seeing different stuff.”
Finance Director Rick Bright pointed out any amount they decide on is not budgeted, so they would need to find the funds, and there were reserves available.
Henke said he could see allocating $10,500, and enumerated changes to Huss’s request, the most notable of which was downsizing a $10,000 Platinum sponsorship to a $5000 Gold Sponsorship. He contended the downgrade might not make much difference because the Gold level booth will be just around the corner from the Platinum booths.
Commissioner Dustin Duling commented Huss’s request was twice what he was expecting, but the city cannot miss out on the “opportunity to be on the map with these people.” He said he was thinking $7,500-10,000.
Chair Ken Ketelsen observed, “Millennials are where it’s at right now. It’s a big push we should pay attention to.” He said he was conflicted about the support amount.
Henke eventually moved to provide $10,500 to support the Eureka Springs presence at the November IMBA World Summit, and vote was unanimous to approve.
Henke then said to Huss, “We want to follow up, so come back to us with a plan so we can help support it.”
Audit on the way
During the first special meeting, commissioners retired into Executive Session, then reconvened as chair Ken Ketelsen announced the commission had voted to hire the Johanson Group, a management consulting firm, to perform an internal audit beginning in late August.
Next workshop will be Wednesday, July 27, at 4 p.m., at the CAPC office, and the next meeting will be Wednesday, August 10 at 6 p.m.