HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-16 - Minutes -Fayetteville A&P Commission – Meeting Minutes
Meeting Details
• Meeting held February 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center.
• Present: Chair Elvis Moya; Commissioners Hamilton, Stafford, Sanderson, Hunt.
• Absent: Commissioners Kinney and Wiederkehr.
• Staff Present: CEO Ryan Hauck.
I. Call to Order
• Chair Moya called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and noted there were no changes to the
agenda.
II. Approval of Minutes
• Motion to approve the January 26, 2026 Minutes made by Commissioner Stafford;
seconded by Commissioner Hunt; approved unanimously via roll call.
III. Reports
A. Acknowledgements & Team Introductions
• Chair Moya recognized outgoing Commissioner Sarah Bunch and offered words of
appreciation; CEO Hauck presented her with a token of thanks.
• Team introductions included: Gretchen Hunt (Director of Finance, EF), Emma Reed (Event
Services Manager, FTC), and Amy Stockton (Director of Organizational Services, EF).
B. CEO Report – Ryan Hauck
• Marketing & Communications: Onboarding AM Group (PR) and AC Day for organic posting
efforts; transitioning to new AOR.
• National Exposure: PBS Appalachia episode filmed in fall aired January 22.
• Club America Promotion: PR blitz underway; event scheduled for March 28 with strong early
ticket sales.
• Website Performance: Slight dip attributed to agency transition.
• Agencies (AM Group, Verb) actively using Zartico; monthly reports will be included in
packets.
• Visitor Center: 283 visitors in January from New Zealand, Israel, Canada; annual inventory
completed.
• ABA Reno Trip: Hauck and Julie met with multiple groups; early booking traction reported.
• Sales update including several items: America250 Committee: Supporting aligned events
and funneling others that fit mission; EF creating the Fayetteville250 site.
• CEO Hauck shared both prospective and definite business leads from the Sales Team.
• Cities of the SEC: Jose and Brannon attended; key takeaways to be shared at a future
meeting per request of the commission.
• Town Center: 10 January bookings completed; 8 confirmed for February; Monica Jannati
earned CMP certification.
• Town Center Revenue: January hosted 17 events with revenue exceeding $15K; 4 events
currently under negotiation.
• Commissioner Sanderson’s seat application deadline: February 20.
• Marketing Engagement: Commissioners and staff are receiveing all AM Group news
releases; Brannon Pack, VP of Marketing and Communications to provide quarterly updates
starting next meeting.
• Ale Trail Passport: Higher redemption expected in warmer months, especially as new
passport focuses on just the includes 9 Fayetteville breweries.
• New Business reports from City of Fayetteville: Commission requested inclusion in monthly
CEO updates; staff to provide.
D. Finance Report
• CEO Hauck provided the report with Director of Finance Gretchen Hunt available for
questions.
• December HMR collections were 1% below seasonally adjusted levels; 2025 had seen >5%
growth, so minor decline not concerning.
• January revenue at 6.5% (target 8%); expenditures at 6.8%.
• Operating Net Income YTD: -$90,662 due to early‑year subscription payments.
• Director Hunt exploring investment opportunities with City Finance Director Steve Dotson.
IV. New Business
A. Walker Stone POA Townhomes Water Mitigation Project
• Presentation by Michele Halsell regarding plan to divert flooding from WSH parking lot;
COF’s Allan Pugh supportive of curb cuts for drainage.
• Discussion addressed placement and ownership of proposed stem wall; likely on WSH
property.
• Motion made by Commissioner Hamilton to accept the WS Townhomes POA’s request to
build and maintain a retaining wall not exceeding 18 inches above WSH property, with
maintenance agreement reviewed by A&P’s Commission legal counsel. This will be
transferable upon sale and will include both the Walker Stone House POA and the
townhomes as well as the Walker Stone House. It was seconded by Commissioner Stafford
and was unanimously approved.
B. Wheel the World Contract
• CEO Hauck presented contract details, referencing discussion at fall retreat; partnership
includes Visit Bentonville.
• Purpose is accessible‑focused regional marketing; aligns with Destination Master Plan.
• EF will have 25 Points of Interest; Bentonville 20, creating slight cost difference.
• Platform has largest accessibility‑travel audience internationally.
• Motion to approve made by Commissioner Stafford; seconded by Commissioner Hamilton;
approved unanimously.
V. Executive Session
• Commission entered executive session to discuss continued employment of a staff member;
no action taken upon return to open session.
VI. Good of the Order / Adjournment
• Reminder to commissioners to confirm attendance when meeting announcements are
distributed.
• For next month’s financial and employment policy discussions, commissioners asked to
submit suggested topics to CEO Hauck or Amy Stockton before packet deadline.
• CEO Hauck announced launch of the Favoriteville Fund with information available online.
• Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Sanderson; seconded by Commissioner Stafford;
approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m.
• Minutes recorded by Amy Stockton.