HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-08 - MinutesADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
March 8, 2010
Commissioners Present: Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Tim Freeman, Lioneld Jordan, Brandon Karn,
Robert Rhoads, and Maudie Schmitt.
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Sandra Bennett, Allyson Twiggs Dyer, Marilyn Heifner, Mario Priest, and Jessica Edwards
CALL TO ORDER
Tim Freeman called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion
Commission to order on March 8 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER FOR TERM EXPIRING 4/1/14
Moved by Jordan, second by Schmitt to accept by acclamation Brandon Karn to fill a term expiring April
1, 2014. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Commissioners voted for two nominated candidates for Chairman for 2010. Results of the voting were as
follows: For Davis: Crawford, Schmitt, and Davis. For Freeman: Karn, Jordan, Rhoads, and Freeman.
Tim Freeman was elected chairman.
MINUTES
Moved by Davis, second by Jordan to approve the minutes of the February 8 meeting. Motion carried.
HMR COLLECTIONS
HMR collections for February (January sales) were $143.940, a 13.88% decline from last year. Year to
date collections is $310,586, a 6.83% change over prior year.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Keith Glass reported on January financials. A & P operationally was as budgeted. Town Center, CVB,
and CHM line items were all in line.
CITY ATTORNEY
Kit William apologized that revenue from overdue taxes was at an all time low of $387.34. He will work
with the City Prosecutor to modify penalty procedures for not turning in forms and to make it a fine for
not remitting those forms.
REPORTS
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM
In February, the House featured its collection of magazines featuring the Clintons. An increase in .visitors
has been seen with spring approaching. President Clinton's heart procedure brought recognition to the
house. President's Day was marked with the annual presidential trivia challenge. March event will
/•feature the art of Scott Mashburn with a reception planned for March 23. In the garden and yard, the bulb
watch continues.
•Allyson introduced two new staff members: Jessica Edwards, communications manager, and Marlo
Priest, sports marketing manager. The staff is gearing up to host the NCAA Indoor Championships and
putting out the red carped for them since they won't be back for two years.
Allyson met with attraction operators and Tim Freeman regarding an attraction passport where all would
cross sell each other. Julie Pennington will attend Governor's Conference and represent Fayetteville.
TOWN CENTER
The Town Center staff exceeded their sales and collections goal for the month.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marilyn thanked the Commission for their participation in the dedication of the sign at the Butterfield
Trace at Lake Fayetteville. A crowd of 70 attended the dedication in 39 degree weather. Forth -four
attended the presentation by the National Parks Service on their plans for certifying the Butterfield
Overland Mail Route.
Marilyn is working with a Forward Fayetteville Creative Economy group on producing a gallery guide.
The new staff members at the CVB will put Fayetteville on the cutting edge of CVB's not only in
Arkansas, but across the region. Julie Pennington is working on two new group tours: Birding and garden
tours.
•Marilyn said the staff will have to tighten their belts in March because of the revenue loss in February.
However, she reported on energy savings at the Town Center for the first two months of $4,041.49 and
36,960 KWH.
She presented an update for the experienceFayetteville.com website which focuses on the A & P
Commission. Included in the section are an explanation of the Commission, HMR revenues for the last 2
years and current year, a funding request explanation and a funding request form. By consensus of the
Commissioners, the site will go live on Tuesday.
AD AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells discussed the goal for the website established 4 months ago to "engage the user". Tracking the
key metrics, it appears that things are working. Visitors are staying 3 min. 21 sec. We wanted people to
say, "Send me a Visitor Guide." Downloads of the Visitor Guide are up 170% for January and February
of 2010. Advertising inquiries are up 14% over last January and February.
Jade Gustin said work was progressing on the Visitor Guide. The book will be to the printer in the next
couple of weeks. She showed Steve Moore's photo of the castle which will be on the cover. Magazine
ads were also presented.
Lee said the magazine
Women's
Focus (Wichita) will feature
Fayetteville
in a "Plan a Getaway" article.
Tulsa People will have
an article
on Fayetteville as well.
OLD BUSINESS
•None
NEW BUSINESS
• None
The annual report of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks was included with the agenda for the
Commission.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director
CI