HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-08 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
September 8, 2003
Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Chairman Bob Davis, Neal Crawford, Pat Gazzola,
David McGeady, Ching Mong, and Curtis Shipley.
Staff Present: Denise Bembenek, Marilyn Heifner
Chairman Bob Davis called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising
and Promotion Commission to order on September 8, 2003 at the Fayetteville Town
Center conference room at 2:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Moved by Gazzola, second by Shipley to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2003
meeting. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
HMR tax collections for August were $132,965.50, an increase of 11.33% over one year
ago. Year-to-date collections are up 2.99%. Boiler Machinery Insurance from Traveler's
• ($520.87) was charged to A & P Commission. Marilyn talked to Peggy Vice and City
will refund A & P Commission for that charge.
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Financial statements for August were not available. Commissioners asked that they be
included in the packet next month.
City Attorney Kit Williams presented delinquent tax collection efforts with $1090
collected in August. Only five restaurants that are currently in business have delinquent
HMR taxes.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Marilyn Heifner reported that inquiries were up in August; however, they are still down
for the year as compared to last year. Internet unique visits are down slightly from last
month although they are holding at around 7,000 per month.
Council for Advancement of Science Writers has selected Fayetteville for their national
conference in November of 2004. Carnall Hall opened this month. WRMC and the
American Heart Association have provided a defibulator for the Town Center. Town
Center staff and Allyson Twiggs have been trained in CPR and in use of the defibulator.
• CVB REPORT
Marilyn presented the CVB report for Allyson who was attending an A. S. A. E. event in
Pine Bluff. Arkansas Economic Developers Conference was successfully held in
Fayetteville. Allyson attended a GLAMER show in New Orleans. The Kaleo Holiday
Tours trade show was held in Fayetteville. Pagnozzi Charities events scheduled the first
weekend in October have been brought back to Fayetteville. Phyllis has booked 4 more
motor coach tours for 2004.
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TOWN CENTER REPORT
The Town Center completed 10 events in August. Monthly average per event sales are
up 22%. Year to date completed events are up 21.1% and collections are up 24.5%.
Town Center staff has completed CPR certification and the defibulator program in
cooperation with WRMC and the American Heart Association. The Town Center was hit
with a computer virus that required a week to completely repair.
Denise discussed the Lost Business Report. She explained that most of the business lost
by the Town Center to the Embassy was a money issue and loss to the University House
was a relationship issue.
The Town Center is working in conjunction with the University students on a Haunted
House for Halloween.
AGENCY REPORT
Brian Clark reported a continued trend for unique visits to the website. Marilyn, Allyson,
and the Agency met with Jay Harrod, communications department head for Arkansas
Parks and Tourism. We will begin working with them on a public relations campaign.
Brian showed the concept of the new creative for 2004 "Step Into Fayetteville."
NEW BUSINESS
Funding Requests
Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas — Gary Copeland and Ralph Hudson
reported on their event ' Blues in the Natural State". The festival was a successful event
in several respects - well organized, friendly and hospitable. Blues music in general has a
great prospect in Fayetteville. They thanked the A & P for their support.
They have been in contact with the 2004 Fayetteville MusicFest to do the work for them
m planning their event.
The downside of the event was the blistering heat, the Razorback fan appreciation day, a
bluegrass festival in Eureka Springs, the Frisco Festival in Rogers, and the early opening
of the Washington County Fair. They were left with a $24,000 shortfall. They need
• $13,000 to pay outstanding invoices and asked for a $13,000 loan. Commissioners asked
that they provide festival financials to Marilyn. They will wait to see financials on OBS.
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Preservation Services Fund Grant
Cyrus Sutherland requested $1500 in matching funds for a National Trust for Historic
Preservation grant for first phase restoration of the Nathan Combs House at 3245 Black
Oak Road. The project did not meet guidelines for A & P funds,
Bikes, Blues and BBO Concert
Request for funds for the Friday night concert featuring The Peter Mayer Group, The
Neville Brothers, and Blues Travelers was presented. 8,000 are expected at the concert.
Ticket pnces are $28 and $53.
Moved by Gazzola, second by Shipley to give BBB $7,500. Motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
„vat.)
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director