The City Advertising and Promotion Commission’s July 26 meeting was dominated a 30-minute executive session that focused on hiring of a new Auditorium Director. While the name of the candidate was not given, Chair Chris Clifton said that it was best the commission move to executive session since the individual is currently employed in a public-facing position. He addressed theoretical concern the commission was attempting to “hide something” saying the point of the session was to respect the privacy of the candidate and he didn’t wish to jeopardize their current employment. Commissioners made no motion, allowing Tourism Director Scott Bardin to move forward with giving the candidate an offer.
The position is of greater importance with the CAPC moving toward producing more shows rather than solely relying on outside promoters. During the Director’s Comments, Bardin covered all the various shows the CAPC is working on including Quiet Riot at the Auditorium on Sept. 22 and Home for the Holidays on Dec. 8, and holiday films being shown during the month of December.
Commissioner David Avanzino asked to see a breakdown of costs for shows coming to the Auditorium and Bardin said that with shows like Quiet Riot, and as the CAPC begins producing more shows in house, that the profit/loss breakdown would be presented to the commission. With outside promoters handling booking costs and rental of the venue, the CAPC does not see as many upfront costs as they will in the future.
Commissioners also chose to change the monthly meeting structure for the CAPC, moving to a single meeting a month and workshops as needed. Holifield had asked at the last city council meeting that any member of the public opposed to the change to come forward at this meeting and voice it, though no one did. The motion carried unanimously, and the time of meetings has not changed from 6 p.m. Commissioners voiced hope that the change of schedule will help fill the vacant positions on the commission as there will be less of a time commitment.
Other Items from Director’s report
- Eureka Springs is partnering with Bikes, Blues, and BBQ at no cost and the CAPC is working alongside the event promoters.
- Work on the Folk Festival continues with advertising beginning for the shows coming in November.
- Bardin said he had met with a contractor regarding lights for the holidays. He said that they have a good “understanding of the scope of work” and the contractor will give an estimate of costs based on sections of the city.
- Staff is currently working on a landing page for holiday events and working to develop ways to market Eureka Springs through winter.
- All missing minutes from 2022 have been turned in to the City Clerk.