2013 Governor's Conference Program

Tentative Schedule of Events

This schedule is tentative and subject to change slightly before conference time. All events will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Sunday, March 3

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Registration Open Room 201
	Mini-Gift Shop Open – For the first time ever, merchandise featuring the “Arkansas – The Natural State” logo will be for sale during the conference, including women’s and men’s shirts and numerous novelty items. Room 202
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.	Early Bird Party and Silent Auction *“Club 1832”* – Hosted by Visit Hot Springs. (View the invitation) Hall A
9:00 – 12:00 Midnight	Hospitality Suite - Sponsored by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association Room 205

Monday, March 4

7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Registration Open Room 201
	Mini-Gift Shop Opens– For the first time ever, merchandise featuring the “Arkansas – The Natural State” logo will be for sale during the conference, including women’s and men’s shirts and numerous novelty items. Room 202
8:30 a.m.	Opening Ceremonies – Grand Lobby
9:00 a.m.	General Session *“Minding the Gap – Marketing to the Generations”* – Featuring Seth Mattison, BridgeWorks, Inc., an internationally renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics. Rooms 207-209
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.	Refreshment Break – Hosted by Visit Hot Springs Grand Lobby
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Concurrent Sessions a. *“The right media mix for small marketing budgets.”* Panel discussion featuring providing marketing options and ideas for businesses with smaller budgets. Featuring: Lynn Berry, Director of PR, Branson CVV; Regena Bearden, VP of Marketing and PR, Memphis CVB; Amanda Keeney, Account Executive, Mitchell Communications; Scott Crider, Founder, Watchdog Causes; Jim Karrh, President, The Marketing Doctors. Rooms 203-204 b. *“Managing the Workforce of the Future”* – Featuring Seth Mattison, BridgeWorks, Inc., an internationally renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics. Room 208 c. *“Living History: Attracting Visitors with Colorful Characterizations.”* Is a living history character the right option for your community or business? Hear from a few of Arkansas's most notable personalities. Featuring: Miss Laura – Fort Smith Madame; Verna Garvan– Hot Springs Benefactress/Garvan Woodland Gardens; Bass Reeves– U.S. Marshall, Fort Smith District. Rooms 102-103 Sponsored by: Department of Arkansas Heritage
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.	PARTNERS IN TOURISM LUNCH “Arkansas at the Crossroads” – Featuring Jeff Collins, Professional Economist, Partner in Streetsmart Data Services and Endeavor Consulting, Inc., based in Fayetteville. Horner Hall
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions a. “The Right Media Mix for Small Marketing Budgets.” Panel discussion featuring providing marketing options and ideas for businesses with smaller budgets. Featuring: Lynn Berry, Director of PR, Branson CVV; Regena Bearden, VP of Marketing and PR, Memphis CVB; Amanda Keeney, Account Executive, Mitchell Communications; Scott Crider, Founder, Watchdob Causes; Jim Karrh, President, The Marketing Doctors. Rooms 203-204 b. *“How to Become a Bike Friendly Business”* – Joe Jacobs, Marketing and Revenue Manager, Arkansas State Parks. Room 208 c. *“Living History: Attracting Visitors with Colorful Characterizations.”* Is a living history character the right option for your community or business? Hear from a few of Arkansas's most notable personalities. Featuring: Miss Laura – Fort Smith Madame; Verna Garvan– Hot Springs Benefactress/Garvan Woodland Gardens; Bass Reeves– U.S. Marshall, Fort Smith District. . Rooms 102-103 Sponsored by: Department of Arkansas Heritage
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.	Refreshment Break Grand Lobby
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.	General Session "Create Their Escape: Build Your Business by Building Visitor Engagement" - Presented by Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, agency of record for the Department of Parks and Tourism Horner Hall
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	ATDF AUCTION and "Tips & Tales" – Beverages will be mixed by some of Oaklawn Race Track's most colorful celebrities and served with a side of horse "tales." All tips collected benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Proceeds collected from the auction benefit the Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation Scholarship Fund. Hall A
8:00 – 12 Midnight	Hospitality Suite – Sponsored by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association Room 205

Tuesday, March 5

7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Registration Open

Room 201

Mini-Gift Shop Open

Room 202

7:45 – 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast with Bennett

“Issue 1 Approved by Voters. Now What?”
Featuring Scott Bennett, Director
Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department
Horner Hall
Sponsored by: Southern Living

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

a.      “Why Tourists Shop”– Featuring Barbara Wold, internationally recognized authority to the retail, consumer and tourism industries.
Rooms 102-103
b.     “Show and Tell” – Featuring Art Meripol, Arkansas native, Henry Award winner and Senior Photographer, Southern Living.
Room 208
c.      “Past, Present and Future Trends of Online Marketing” – Featuring Susan Sweeney, best-selling author and Internet marketing specialist.
Rooms 203-204

10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Grand Hall

10:45 – 11:45 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

a.      “Packaging A Downtown Area as a Tourist Destination”– Featuring Barbara Wold, internationally recognized authority to the retail, consumer and tourism industries.
Rooms 102-103
b.     “Show and Tell”– Featuring Art Meripol, Arkansas native, Henry Award winner and Senior Photographer, Southern Living.
Room 208
c.      “Great Online Gadgets, Tools and Resources” – Featuring Susan Sweeney, best-selling author and Internet marketing specialist.
Rooms 203-204

12 Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Arkansas Industry Luncheon
Special Guest and Remarks by: Governor Mike Beebe
Presentation: “There's Always a Story” - Larry Foley's Arkansas Films - Featuring Larry Foley, Arkansas native, Henry Award winner, U of A broadcast journalism professor and Emmy award-winning documentarian for projects such as “The Buffalo Flows," "Growing Hope” and "Bridge to War Eagle.”
Horner Hall
Sponsored by: Arkansas Life

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

a.     “Strength in Numbers” – Featuring Ira Blumenthal, award-winning author, former radio host and a nationally recognized consultant to world clients, such as Coca-Cola, Disney, Walmart, Exxon, Marriott and others.
Room 208
b.    “2013 Legislative Update” – Hear the latest from the State Capitol. Featuring Montine McNulty, Executive Director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and Ted Mullenix, President and CEO of Mullenix & Associates.
Rooms 203-204
c. "The Arts: A $ensible Approach to Growing Tourism" --
Featuring Sandy Edwards, Deputy Director of Museum Relations - Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Todd Herman, Executive Director - Arkansas Arts Center; Dr. Bob Bledsoe, Executive Director - Garvan Woodland Gardens
Rooms 102-103

2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Refreshment Break – Hosted by the Rogers Convention and Visitors Bureaus

Grand Hall

3:15 – 4:30 p.m.

General Session
“Change is Inevitable. Growth is Optional"
Featuring Ira Blumenthal, recognized as a visionary business development expert appearing in media sources such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and USA Today. Rooms 207-209

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Conference Wrap-Up - An overview of conference speakers and their messages, plus a special closing ceremony.
Rooms 207-209

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Governor’s Reception

Horner Hall Lobby
Sponsored by: Midwest Living/Meredith Travel Marketing

7:00 – 9:15 p.m.

Governor's Banquet and Henry Awards

Horner Hall

9:15 p.m. – 11:30 a.m.

After Glow +Hospitality Suite

Music and Dancing
(Hospitality Suite sponsored by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association)
Rooms 207 - 209
Sponsored by: Texas Monthly

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2013 Governor's Conference Program

Tentative Schedule of Events