HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-11 - MinutesADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
January 11, 2010
Commissioners Present: Bob Davis, Neal Crawford, Tim Freeman, Lioneld Jordan, Robert Rhoads
and Maudie Schmitt.
Commissioners Absent: Brandon Karn
Staff Present: Sandra Bennett, Allyson Twiggs Dyer, and Marilyn Heifner
CALL TO ORDER
Tim Freeman called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion
Commission to order on January I 1 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m.
RIBBON CUTTING FOR TOWN CENTER PARKING DECK
Members assembled at the Town Center Parking Deck entrance to cut the ribbon signifying that the
installation of the LED lighting in the deck was complete. Members of the Commission cut the ribbon
with members of the public watching including Butch Coger (Custom Homes & Commercial
Electronics), Anthony Vigiate (executive vice president of Infinilux), Chamber of Commerce
president/CEO Steve Clark and President of the Board Larry Bittle, staff members of Sells Agency,
reporters
from news stations KNWA and KFSM,
and reporter
from the NWA Newspapers
Skip
Descant,
as well as Town Center staff and A & P
staff.
The upgrade to energy saving LED lights in the Town Center is one of the most significant of its kind
in the nation. An energy audit and design study confirmed significant savings with the replacement of
144 low bay metal halide luminaries will save the Town Center $150,000 over 50K hours. Payoff will
be in 2.49 years.
The environmental impact of the reduced emissions generation from newly installed LED lighting will
result in the following savings in 5.71 years: saving 102,141 gallons of gasoline, taking 562 cars off of
the road, and planting 230 acres of trees.
The Commissioners reconvened in the Director's Room.
ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIRMAN FOR 2010
The floor was opened for nominations. Rhodes nominated Tim Freeman, Crawford nominated Bob
Davis. Both accepted the nomination. Voting - each candidate received 3 votes. Election will be
tabled until the next meeting so that Commissioner Kam can vote.
MINUTES
Moved by Davis, second by Jordan to approve the minutes of the December 14 with the following
correction: Maudie Schmitt was not present at the meeting. Motion carried.
•HMR COLLECTIONS
HMR collections were almost event with last December (08 - $174,682 and 09 - $174,568) making the
year end collections almost even with last year. Fayetteville leads the way in NWA with other A & P
Commissions down 16%, 10% and 6%. It is a testimony to a staff that has worked hard bringing
business to Fayetteville and worked with hotels and restaurants to maintain HMR collections.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Keith Glass reported that CVB sales were up $5,000 through November in the Visitor Store. Clinton
House revenue and expenses were even. Town Center revenue in May and June was way down, but
expenses were well within the budget guidelines. Overall A & P revenue was down $100,000 and
budget numbers were in line. Overall budget expenditures were down $40,000 because Fayetteville
did not host the baseball regional tournament so funds were not needed.
Move to approve financials by Davis, second by Rhoads. Motion carried.
CITY ATTORNEY
Marilyn gave the report for City Attorney Kit Williams. Prosecuting Attorney collected $4,386.04 for
the month. Eighteen businesses were at the prosecutor with two cases closed during the month. For all
of 2009, the Prosecutor collected $71,341.64. In November, 44 restaurants did not submit HMR
collections.
Davis asked again about restaurants not turning in forms and what could be done about the problem.
• REPORTS ,y
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUIvy 37
Marilyn reportedyd'vvisitors in December at the Museum. The first visitor from Greenland
completed the Visitor map which now can boast that the Museum has had visitors form all continents.
Annual Christmas Open House was held in conjunction with the CVB. Year end pre -New Year's eve
party was co-sponsored by Bavarian Cream Designs, Inc and Bliss Cupcake Cafe. The event featured
art by Thomas B. Merritt.
VISITORS BUREAU
Allyson is working with NCAA Indoor Track for 2013 bid. She is encouraging all hotels to
show participants a good time this year so we can get them back. We lost the bid for the 2011 and
2012 meet. She has a meeting with Joey Walters (Arkansas Activities Association) and Barry Gebhart
(Fayetteville athletic director) regarding the All Star Games and Coaches Clinic. She is bidding on
Arkansas Recreation and Parks annual meeting and the Governor's Conference on Tourism. Tyson
Indoor meet is coming up soon. Starlight Skating Rink opened. It should be a good venue for youth
we bring in for tournaments.
Visitor
Store sales
were $18,648
for
2009. At
the store, we specialize in local products including food,
music,
Razorback
paraphernalia
and
will soon
have Bulldog items.
TOWN CENTER
•Sandra reported revenue for the Town Center was down 12% over last December with total
revenue at $23,144.59. We did see a slight increase in booked events in December.
• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marilyn announced the National Parks Service will be in Fayetteville in early April to
announce the steps in documentation for the Butterfield Overland Mail National Historic Trail. She
met with the Fayetteville Forward Creative Economy group regarding an arts brochure. They are
excited and it should be a good partnership for the A & P Commission to produce this brochure. She
worked with Sells in the 2010 planning.
She announced that after discussion with Allyson, they will not pursue the lottery application to the
state to sell lottery tickets at the Visitors Bureau Store.
AD AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells said the agency has worked with Marilyn and Allyson for the 2010 planning. They have
transitioned web site materials to CVB staff.
Lead generation for the 4d' quarter worked. Visitor guide downloads showed a 96.8% growth over
2008. Inquiries for a hard copy of the Visitor Guide averaged 2,135 per quarter for the 151 2nd, and 3rd
quarters. Fourth quarter inquiries was 11,933.
Jade reported on the Visitor Guide for 2010. They will speed up sales, and print 75,000 copies in '10.
Website maintained over 100,000 hits in '09.
•OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
'n`',,```p'`2,' )
Marilyn Hehner
Executive Director