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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-09 - Minutes -Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission Minutes January 9th, 2025 Virtual Meeting Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Staff: Chrissy Sanderson, Chair, Tourism & Hospitality Representative Elvis Moya, Tourism & Hospitality Representative Mike Wiederkehr, City Council Representative Sarah Bunch, City Council Representative Todd Martin, Tourism & Hospitality Representative Andrew Prysby, At Large Position Katherine Kinney, Tourism & Hospitality Representative Jennifer Walker, Interim CEO I. Chair Sanderson called the meeting to order at 2:03pm. II. New Business A. Chair Sanderson called for an executive session to discuss the Interim CEO’s salary and promotion. After Executive Session, Chair Sanderson said the decision was made to table this issue until either the next regularly scheduled meeting or a special meeting. B. Vote. Executive Search Firm Contract. Interim CEO Walker informed the commission that there was a memo and an agreement from Winner Partners in their packets. She stated that the search committee had spoken with three different search firms and that the search firm’s proposals were all very similar in price. She shared that the committee was recommending Winner Partners due to their more comprehensive approach and strong local connections in the destination marketing industry. She noted that she conducted two references checks, both with very positive feedback. She also stated that the general timeline to conduct the search would be 80 days. The contract is for $48,000 plus pre-approved expenses of approximately $12,500 which is mainly for travel costs of candidates and advertising Chair Sanderson opened it up for questions of Winner Partners’ team, who was attending the meeting. Commissioner Wiederkehr asked “what do you see as Fayetteville’s biggest challenge and also one of our greatest assets when you look at marketing it for a search?” Dennis Tracy with Winner Partners introduced himself and his ties to Arkansas, having worked at the Little Rock CVB and also assisting in searches for that organization. Tracy noted the positive would be numerous but one large asset is the infrastructure growth such as direct flights, and amenities such as Crystal Bridges. Any negative would be that it is a competitive job market right now for DMOs. Tina Winner stated it would be a great asset to be able to tell the story of how the former CEO is still available as the mayor and also that our outdoor attractions, especially cycling, were very attractive. Chair Sanderson also mentioned the very hands-on approach Winner Partners presented, which she appreciated. Commissioner Martin asked about the process, noting that he thought the timeline seemed longer than he anticipated. More discussion was had concerning the timeline and the commissioners’ desire that the firm focus on Fayetteville’s attributes, not necessarily NW Arkansas attributes. Commissioner Moya asked for clarification of the advertising expenses and Winner addressed those. Commissioner Prysby asked how we would handle an entry slate of candidates that really miss the mark and Winner explained that with weekly check ins and engagement sessions, they had several mechanisms baked into the process to ward against that happening. After more discussion, Chair Sanderson asked for a motion. Commissioner Wiederkehr made a motion to authorize interim CEO Walker to execute a contract with Winner Partners for the CEO executive search and Commissioner Moya seconded this. Chair Sanderson read the formal recommendation which is a vote to authorize Interim CEO Jennifer Walker to execute a contract with Winner Partners for the CEO executive search, with a professional fee of $48,000 plus pre-approved expenses. It passed unanimously via a roll call vote. C. Vote. Appropriate funds from the Unreserved Fund Balance to cover the expense of the executive search. Chair Sanderson asked for a motion to appropriate funds from the Unreserved Fund Balance in the amount of $65,000 to cover the professional fee and direct expenses related to the search which Commissioner Martin made and Commissioner Wiederkehr seconded. It was approved unanimously via roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 12:36pm with a motion from Commissioner Martin and a second from Commissioner Moya Minutes submitted by Amy Stockton, Director of Operations, Experience Fayetteville