The Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission held a workshop on May 6 to reevaluate annual event expenditures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Chair Carol Wright was not in attendance.
Primary discussion was given to music and entertainment acts originally scheduled which have been cancelled or postponed. “All of the contracts that I have are on hold right now until we find out what the next process is,” CAPC Events Coordinator Tracy Johnson said. She is staying in tune with Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s social guidelines.
Commissioner James DeVito said the he believes the deciding factor should be what tourists want.
“Regardless of what any authorities say, it’s gonna come down to what our customers say,” DeVito said. “Right now, our customers are not interested in travel any time soon.”
Commissioners discussed transitioning future Auditorium performances to outdoor music performances temporarily to support social distancing health concerns. Johnson said said that bands scheduled for auditorium performances could possibly be moved to Basin Park when it is safe in an effort to still have “name-recognizable people coming to town.”
Postponement was discussed, as well as asking to use the privately-owned Passion Play outdoor amphitheater. Johnson reminded commissioners that the Passion Play is a faith-based facility, but commissioners asked Johnson to explore if the GPP would consider the Tanya Tucker concert, scheduled for July 29. DeVito said this concert was the largest expenditure of the season and questioned whether the CAPC should be spending sizable money on a single event instead of broad media marketing.
Commissioner Jeff Carter said he’s comfortable utilizing the special event budget for the next 30 days to cover media expense saying, “Keep our media-buys so we are still engaged with our customers.” Commissioner Terry McClung agreed and said in regard to the Tanya Tucker event, “I don’t think a $25,000 show is going to be a good investment for the CAPC unless we have a good feel.” He suggested applying money to less expensive events in the park and broad media, “We have to keep our name out there.”
Carter asked Johnson for copies of the contracts of the upcoming entertainment acts, but Johnson refused saying, “No, well, actually those are my contracts and they are not completed yet,” Johnson, an independent contractor said. “These are my private and personal contacts.”
McClung said he wants to see Johnson continue efforts to work throughout the pandemic to plan and secure future events.
The CAPC will not be supporting the Fat-Tire Festival, as Johnson said it would not be feasible for CAPC funding for in-town events this year. The Rat-Rod show is another event currently out of the picture.
Music in the Park is still booked through October and not cancelled, as is the Fireworks in July, an event McClung and Carter said they would like to hold this year.
The next CAPC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 at 4 p.m.