A group of Eureka Springs business owners, managers, and local agencies joined last week to hold a one-hour virtual meeting discussing marketing ideas to promote and prepare for tourism when the pandemic ends.
At one point the Crescent Hotel and Basin Park Hotel General Manager Jack Moyer said there were 85 participants. Those included representatives from Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Eureka Springs, City Advertising and Promotion, city administration, Eureka Parks, EurekaSprings.com, Good Shepherd Humane Society, and privately-owned businesses.
The meeting participants made a point to focus not on when the public will be back in Eureka, nor how the businesses were faring during the pandemic, but on what kind of events and atmosphere the public will expect for their first travelling experience post-pandemic.
Specifically, discussion focused on travel expectations of tourists during the “six weeks of summer.” Jayme Brandt of Tee-Rex called it, “Owning that thing which scares us.” For example, Brandt brainstormed holding a mask-making station in an outdoor venue to create fun-themed protective face masks.
Devin Henderson of the Chamber offered the idea of food truck festivals. Cole Wakefield of Good Shepherd recommended the utilization of “Cause Marketing” to help people feel good about their travel choice, knowing their presence will be for a good cause.
Many participants including Julie Grillone of Christopher’s downtown recommended that a portion of the downtown be closed to driving traffic for better social distancing of walkers/shoppers and to promote music in Basin Park.
Parades were thrown into the mix, specifically a parade for high school graduates and their families, no matter from where, to help them celebrate their graduation in a fun-vacation style event.
Hand-sanitizing stations were also mentioned as an addition to the downtown festivities.