HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-10 - MinutesADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 10, 2008
Commissioners Present: Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Tim Freeman, Pat Gazzola, and Maudie
Schmitt
Commissioners Absent: Dan Coody and Robert Rhoads
Staff Present: Sandra Bennett, Allyson Twiggs Dyer, Kelli Nixon and Marilyn Heifner
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Pat Gazzola called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and
Promotion Commission to order on November 10 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m.
II. REPORTS
MINUTES
Moved by Davis, second by Freeman to approve the minutes of the October 13 regular meeting.
Motion carred.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Keith Glass presented financial statements. A & P expenses exceeded income for the first time
this year. He cautioned about the large expenditure for repairs at the Town Center and indicated
• that it should be addressed in 09 budget.
HMR COLLECTIONS
Marilyn presented HMR collections for October. October collections were up 3.77%. Year to
date collections were up 7.38%.
Hotel HMR revenue for October was up 7.50% and restaurant revenue was down -.10%. Year-
to-date revenue for hotels is up 10.25% and restaurant revenue is up 8.84%.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Kit Williams reported that the City Prosecutor's office collected $3,478.78 last
month in overdue HMR taxes. Year to date collections total $87,343.15.
Williams indicated that a number of additional letters were sent out to restaurants which were
delinquent in paying.
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM REPORT
Kelli Nixon reported attendance of 187 visitors in October. She and Marilyn went on the
Billgrimage Tour and acquainted her with the sister Clinton properties. The Dana Tiger Art
Show and Reception will be Nov. 10-22. A Holiday Open House will be held in conjunction
with the Visitor Center Store on December 5.
• Kelli is working to get a tour for Leverett Elementary, a Scrabble Tournament in the spring and
supervising the finishing of the retaining wall in front of the house.
VISITOR BUREAU
Allyson Twiggs Dyer announced that Lights of the Ozarks parade will be handled by Dr.
Obeyede's UA Hospitality class. The parade will start at the library. They are also sponsoring a
Pet Parade and Night with Santa on December 5. She has bid on the Arkansas Festival
Association meeting in 2010 or 2011. Julie Pennington has had a successful month with tours.
TOWN CENTER
Sandra Bennett reported sales of $44,365.41. The Town Center participated in Trick or Treat on
the Square.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Inquiry responses are up 4.2% for the year. She applauded Kelli and the Dana Tiger Art Show.
Kelli has really hit the ground running and has made an impact for the Clinton House Museum in
the community. Daniel Keeley is working on a design for the First Ladies Garden at the Clinton
House Museum.
Speakers on the Old Post Office have been repaired in preparation of the FHS homecoming
parade and Lights of the Ozarks.
Marilyn hosted Renee Bacher, a travel writer for Endless Vacation magazine. Geiger and
Associates (a public relations firm hired by the state) brought 18 travel writers to NWA.
Fayetteville had one on one sessions with 6 of them.
The Town Center did an excellent job with the Three 6 Mafia concert.
• She spoke to the UA Architecture and to the UA Hospitality class. A successful strategic
planning session between the CVB staff, Marilyn and the Sells Agency was conducted.
AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells said that the agency is taking G.O.S.T. planning session results and working on the 09
marketing plan. The Visitor Guide for 2009 rate card will be ready shortly so that advance sales
can be done on the Guide.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
Funding request presentations will be at the January meeting. Presentations will start at noon.
There will be no meeting in December.
Respectfully submitted,
. Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director