The June 13 City Advertising and Promotion Commission meeting started on a high note as Executive Director Mike Maloney announced Sales Director Karen Pryor won the coveted International Travel Alliance Partners 2018 Spirit Award [ESI June 13] at a global conference held in Atlantic City earlier this month.
Maloney said Pryor has told hundreds of thousands of people about Eureka Springs for ten years, and “the Spirit Award is based upon the individual’s enthusiasm, professionalism, providing outstanding service to the community they represent, and overall positive attitude.” He added this is one of Travel Alliance Partners’ more prestigious awards and it recognizes “truly remarkable” members of the travel industry.
Marketing requests
Maloney told commissioners there was $2200 left in the Marketing Support budget and before them were four requests totaling $24,800. Commissioner Dustin Duling observed that all four requests looked worthwhile and deserving of some support.
Maloney said the promoters of the Out in Eureka event planned for August 3-5 were asking for $1800. As many as 1000 attendees were projected for the two-day overnight event, and Maloney said based on projections the event might produce $4500 in tax collections.
The Fat Tire Festival cycling event July 13-15 will be the 20th event, and the request was for $10,000. Maloney said the event might draw 400 riders, plus family and spectators. Events Coordinator Andy Green explained the promoters want local entities to begin taking on the primary share of producing Fat Tire, which has become a linchpin in the Arkansas cycling world. The question is how to evolve to more local leadership, and Green said it fits well with the cycling scene building in Eureka Springs, so he encouraged support.
Commissioner Terry McClung said he liked the idea of community cooperation to produce the event, but not until next year. “Once it’s over, get with the others and plan for next year. Let’s step out there and see what it will do,” he commented.
Chair Susan Harman said the Antique Auto Festival scheduled for September 7-9, asked for $5000. Maloney noted this will be the 48th anniversary of the event, and new promoters who ran the event last year know how to reach the antique car crowd in Oklahoma and Texas. Last year 247 autos participated.
The Miss Gateway to the Ozarks pageant request was for $8000. Maloney said there would be events for girls aged 6 – 22. Promoters predict the event will draw at least 125 visitors to town, and Maloney said it serves as a steppingstone for Miss Arkansas and other pageants. Finance Director Rick Bright said the promoters want to stage the event in Eureka Springs because they love the Auditorium even though it does not fit their needs as well as other facilities.
Commissioners discussed with Bright finding extra funds in the budget to boost the amount left for marketing support, and Bright figured he could find at least $5000. McClung said they could even draw from reserves if necessary without impacting operations, and moved to award $1800 to Out in Eureka, $2500 to the Fat Tire Festival, $2500 to the Antique Auto Show and $1000 to the pageant. Vote to approve his motion was unanimous.
Chamber Visitor Guide deal expires at end of year
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Miller told the commission he would speak with them at their June 27 workshop about changes he envisions for the Visitor Guide. The current contract between the Chamber and the CAPC regarding creating and mailing the Guide ends December 31. Miller said he is considering a redesigned less text-heavy one-response piece which would address questions about weddings, relocation and travel, for example.
Commissioner David Mitchell asked Maloney to check with Municipal League attorneys to make sure the partnership with the Chamber for distributing the Guide was legal.
Financial report
Bright reported total collections through the end of April compared to the same period in 2017 were up by 4.7 percent. McClung noticed numbers for lodging were basically flat, and the slight bump for restaurants could be attributed to inflation and increased food prices.
Final item
- Bright announced there are two seats on the commission expiring June 30: Position #2– Lodging/Restaurant owner or manager; and Position #7– At large/ open to anyone in Carroll County.
Next workshop will be Wednesday, June 27, at 4 p.m., and the next regular meeting will be Wednesday, July 11, at 6 p.m.