HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-12 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
March 12, 2007
Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Pat Gazzola, David McGeady,
and Robert Rhoads.
Commissioners Absent: Maudie Schmitt
Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Allyson Twiggs, and Willistine Smith, and Brittany Shell
(Clinton House Museum).
Chairman Pat Gazzola called the
regular monthly meeting
of the Fayetteville
Advertising and
Promotion Commission to order
on March 12, 2007 at the
Fayetteville Town
Center at 2:00 p.m.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER
Two applications were received, Neal Crawford and Cassandra Alford. Ms. Alford did not meet
criteria as owner of manager of hotel, motel or restaurant. Marilyn had called her and told her
she was ineligible.
Moved by Davis, second by Coody to nominate Neal Crawford to serve a second term ending
April 1, 2011. Motion carried.
MINUTES
Moved by Davis, second by Coody to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2006, regular
meeting. Motion carried.
FAYETTEVILLE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Phyllis McGinty presented information on the apprenticeship program of the Fayetteville Public
Schools. They place students and follow them for two years after graduation. The program has
a $3.5 million dollar economic impact.
HMR REVENUES
Total collections of HMR tax in February (January sales) were $150,087.75, an 18.23% decrease
over last February. This is a result of the weather (cold, icy weekends in January). Monthly
hotel revenue was up 2.30%, a result of the receipt of a late payment by the Clarion. Restaurant
collections were down -11.44% this February over last February.
FINANCIAL REPORT
No financials were presented.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Kit Williams reported that the City Prosecutor's office collected $9,051.72 during
February to bring the year to date total collected to $16,797.17.
City attorney explained the suit filed in Washington County Circuit Court on behalf of the A & P
Commission claiming that Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, and a laundry list of other companies
• offering cut-rate hotel rooms online haven't paid the city enough hotel taxes. The suit seeks
"class action" status to represent cities, counties, and townships around the state that also collect
taxes on hotel rooms.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Marilyn Heifner reported that advertising inquiries were down -$25.37% in February and down -
18.9% year to date.
She reported that she had met with Congressman Boozman's legislative assistant relative to
having the Butterfield Trail declared a national historic trail. She attended the Arkansas
Hospitality Association Legislative Days. HB 1789 allowing A & P Commissions to purchase
property will be presented in Senate by Senator Madison in committee on Tuesday and be on the
Senate floor on Wednesday.
CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU
Allyson Twiggs said the Visitor Information center is working. They had 5 sets of visitors this
morning. Ryan is getting the inventory together. Julie has signed 12 motorcoaches for visits.
Shelly is working with Real Deal on the Hill which is one of the premier basketball tournaments
in the U. S. They have 170 teams and have turned 100 away. They are using the housing
bureau.
The CVB is working with Yura Margolis for the 151 international concerto for pianists. One
• hundred twenty six people from 26 countries have applied. From these, they will select 12 to
compete on March 29-31.
TOWN CENTER REPORT
Willistine Smith reported on February business at Town Center. Sales were down 22% in
February because of the timing of contracts sent out. Collections showed an 8 % increase.
Good news is that we had a Town Hall event produced by Wal-Mart.
CLINTON HOUSE MUSUEM
Brittany Starr presented her first report as Clinton House Director. She secured an article in the
Northwest Arkansas Times promoting Presidents Day Event and in the Nashua Telegraph
regarding the house as a tourist destination. Web write-ups were produced on three sites.
114 visitors came to see the house this month. To date this represents 1515 visitors representing
44 states.
Brittany has attended meetings promoting the house, hosted special event, and booked future
business for the house including after hours event, wedding, and two group tours. She visited the
other Clinton presidential sites, designed and posted a Hillary Tracker at the museum which tells
of the day to day activity of Hillary's Presidential Race.
• In addition, she established an internship program, took an inventory of merchandise for the gift
shop and restocked it.
• AGENCY REPORT
Brian Clark reported that the agency is having a time getting the web site moved to a new host.
He presented the following:
1) Report for 10 days for clintonhousemuseum.org
2) fayettevilletourism data was destroyed December 31
3) experiencefayetteville website had 3505 unique visitors
David McGeaty asked about the next step regarding the websites. Brian explained that we need
to see if the paid banners are working and where the visitors are coming from.
He met with Allyson and Marilyn to look at the marketing plan and assess the market on a
regular basis.
A local and regional push is going on to educate our own residents about visiting our attractions.
The agency is proceeding with sales on the Visitor Guide. A design/editorial meeting is
scheduled with staff in the next two weeks.
OLD BUSINESS
CVB Space.
Moved by Davis, second by Crawford that we negotiate the price for purchase of CVB property
with a contingency that when the law is signed we close. Carried unanimously.
• Festival Coordinator
Marilyn recommended that we not pursue a festival position in the CVB for the following
reasons:
• We already provide assistance with current staff
• Sharon Crosson does a great job in coordinating city services and special event
regulations
• We do not need another level of bureaucracy for those with a desire to start a festival
• Donations would be limited with one person asking for sponsorships for all festivals
• Calendar of events is busy
• Most successful festivals are started by someone with a sincere and genuine interest to
create them or to fill a void in the calendar
• A & P funds could be better spent in providing festival support
• CVB does not have city department connections
• Several new festivals are in the planning stages including two music festivals, one St.
Patrick's day event and one sports festival.
Commissioners agreed.
Visitor Profile Studv
Marilyn and Allyson said they are using this data for the marketing plan and in placing of
• advertising. They emphasized that in 3 years we need another study to compare our progress.
• NEW BUSINESS
Visitor Guide
Work on the Visitor Guide has begun. We will include relocation information as well as visitor
information and insist that it be citizen friendly. A postcard will be sent out next week seeking
advertisers.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director
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