CAPC tentative on Jackrabbit widget

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Kent Butler spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday in asking the CAPC to add a widget to its website that would take the viewer to a Jackrabbit site showing lodging availability in Eureka Springs. Jackrabbit is online booking management software.

“We want to prevent folks from thinking there is no place to stay,” Butler said, adding there would be no extra work for lodging owners. There would, however, be a $375 annual fee.

Commissioner David Mitchell right away did not like the fact every lodging owner would have to sign up. He also asked, “Are we hijacking my webpage?”

Butler did not see it that way. He said there are vacancies in town that might not show up on the first four pages of the CAPC site listing, and it would cost the CAPC nothing to add the widget.

Mitchell still objected, and CAPC Executive Director Mike Maloney said this move would force the hand of property owners with one or two rooms who would not otherwise participate.

Chair Susan Harman agreed with Maloney that the new system would work fairly only if everyone were participating, but the annual fee puts some at a disadvantage. “Some people will feel like they are late for the party,” she commented.

Commissioner Bobbie Foster contended $375 was “such a small price to pay for this availability.”

Mitchell said a property owner could pay less for another service, and some people do just fine with their own booking system without third part involvement.

Maloney asked, “How many Chamber members want this? Does Randy Wolfingbarger want this? Does Jed Bullock want this?”

Harman returned to her point that some property owners will feel forced into joining, and commissioner Terry McClung said he just wanted it to be fair for everyone.

Butler then pointed out that the Chamber had signed a contract and they are going live with this early in August. He again encouraged the CAPC to add the widget to its site.

Mitchell suggested a survey of CAPC listings to see what people think. Maloney said, “No harm in a survey.”

New Chamber President Paul Miller said there would be a demonstration of the Jackrabbit system Tuesday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Wake Up Eureka, and Harman said the CAPC would let its tax collectors aware of that.