Commission Report – February 14-15, 2007
Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Legislative Reception – February 13
The annual Legislative Reception was held at Ricks Armory on February 13. Sponsored by the Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation, the Friends of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Foundation and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission Foundation, the gathering of approximately 400 enjoyed dinner and visiting booths highlighting the activities and responsibilities of the participating state agencies: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and Keep Arkansas Beautiful. The reception is held to thank the legislature for its continuing support. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
Certificate of Appreciation
A certificate of appreciation was presented to Jane Dunlap Christenson, a 12-year member of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. Christenson, of Harrison, recently was appointed to the State Police Commission. She was thanked for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry and Arkansas’s State Parks. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
2007 Legislative Session
Executive Director Richard W. Davies reported that the session had been a quiet one so far. He announced that the bill making the Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) the official state butterfly had passed the house and was on its way to the Senate. The butterfly is found in abundance atop Mount Magazine. Davies also stated the 1/8 cent Conservation Tax was exempt from the grocery tax repeal bills and every other tax bill at this point. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
Liaison to Governor Beebe
Kathy Holt was introduced as Governor Mike Beebe’s liaison with the Department of Parks and Tourism. Holt was previously with the Bureau of Legislative Research. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
TOURISM DIVISION:
New Image Book/Certificates of Appreciation
The Commission approved a wholesale and retail plan for both the soft- and hard-bound versions of the new Arkansas image book. A discount is available for those who order in bulk quantities. Parks and Tourism photographer A.C. “Chuck” Haralson and CJRW photographer Bernie Jungkind received certificates of appreciation for their hard work on the book. Contact Joe David Rice at (501) 682-1088.
2007 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The 33rd conference will be held March 4-6 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Theme for this year’s conference is “Arkansas Tourism: Marketing Makes Memories.” Registration packets have been mailed. If you did not receive one or would like more information, go to www.Arkansas.com and click on the appropriate icon or call Nancy Clark at (501) 682-1120
Amazed by Arkansas
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods presented an update on the “Amazed by Arkansas” promotion by the Department and partner Today’s THV, Channel 11 in Little Rock. Beginning March 1, results of the Top 100 poll will be showcased each Thursday for 40 weeks on Channel 11’s live weather forecasts. The informal poll, which was open to the public and featured on www.Arkansas.com, received over 3,000 entries. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
Arkansas.com
Aristotle reported that Arkansas.com is ranked #4 among all 50 state tourism sites according to the number of hits. This is up from #6 in December 2006. It also the top ranked tourism site among Arkansas’s contiguous states. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
STATE PARKS DIVISION
Thanks for the Memories
The Commission approved State Parks Director Greg Butts’ request for a certificate of appreciation for Sandy Burch for her service to the Department. Sandy is retiring and, along with her husband, will become a full-time RVer. Sandy has been Butts’ assistant for over six years.
Arkansas Broadcasters Association
The 2006-07 Arkansas Broadcasters Association’s public service announcements for Arkansas State Parks were presented. These include three radio and three television spots. One television announcement promotes the newly redesigned ArkansasStateParks.com Web site, which will go live shortly. Contact Joseph Jacobs at (501) 682-6923.
75th Anniversary
State Parks Director Greg Butts announced the Arkansas State Parks system will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2008. He presented a list of proposed special events and activities that will be held during the year to honor the occasion. Some of these include production of a DVD and brochure portraying the history of the system, its benefits and accomplishments, a statewide photo contest, a calendar, a coffee table book and items for resale.
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This release, along with others by the Department of Parks & Tourism, is available electronically at the Department’s on-line media room: www.arkansas.com/media. Hundreds of high-resolution photos are also available at this Web address.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
“Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Legislative Reception – February 13
The annual Legislative Reception was held at Ricks Armory on February 13. Sponsored by the Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation, the Friends of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Foundation and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission Foundation, the gathering of approximately 400 enjoyed dinner and visiting booths highlighting the activities and responsibilities of the participating state agencies: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and Keep Arkansas Beautiful. The reception is held to thank the legislature for its continuing support. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
Certificate of Appreciation
A certificate of appreciation was presented to Jane Dunlap Christenson, a 12-year member of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. Christenson, of Harrison, recently was appointed to the State Police Commission. She was thanked for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry and Arkansas’s State Parks. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
2007 Legislative Session
Executive Director Richard W. Davies reported that the session had been a quiet one so far. He announced that the bill making the Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) the official state butterfly had passed the house and was on its way to the Senate. The butterfly is found in abundance atop Mount Magazine. Davies also stated the 1/8 cent Conservation Tax was exempt from the grocery tax repeal bills and every other tax bill at this point. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
Liaison to Governor Beebe
Kathy Holt was introduced as Governor Mike Beebe’s liaison with the Department of Parks and Tourism. Holt was previously with the Bureau of Legislative Research. Contact Gloria Robins at (501) 682-7614 for more information.
TOURISM DIVISION:
New Image Book/Certificates of Appreciation
The Commission approved a wholesale and retail plan for both the soft- and hard-bound versions of the new Arkansas image book. A discount is available for those who order in bulk quantities. Parks and Tourism photographer A.C. “Chuck” Haralson and CJRW photographer Bernie Jungkind received certificates of appreciation for their hard work on the book. Contact Joe David Rice at (501) 682-1088.
2007 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The 33rd conference will be held March 4-6 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Theme for this year’s conference is “Arkansas Tourism: Marketing Makes Memories.” Registration packets have been mailed. If you did not receive one or would like more information, go to www.Arkansas.com and click on the appropriate icon or call Nancy Clark at (501) 682-1120
Amazed by Arkansas
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods presented an update on the “Amazed by Arkansas” promotion by the Department and partner Today’s THV, Channel 11 in Little Rock. Beginning March 1, results of the Top 100 poll will be showcased each Thursday for 40 weeks on Channel 11’s live weather forecasts. The informal poll, which was open to the public and featured on www.Arkansas.com, received over 3,000 entries. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
Arkansas.com
Aristotle reported that Arkansas.com is ranked #4 among all 50 state tourism sites according to the number of hits. This is up from #6 in December 2006. It also the top ranked tourism site among Arkansas’s contiguous states. For more information, contact Jana Greenbaum at (501) 682-7606.
STATE PARKS DIVISION
Thanks for the Memories
The Commission approved State Parks Director Greg Butts’ request for a certificate of appreciation for Sandy Burch for her service to the Department. Sandy is retiring and, along with her husband, will become a full-time RVer. Sandy has been Butts’ assistant for over six years.
Arkansas Broadcasters Association
The 2006-07 Arkansas Broadcasters Association’s public service announcements for Arkansas State Parks were presented. These include three radio and three television spots. One television announcement promotes the newly redesigned ArkansasStateParks.com Web site, which will go live shortly. Contact Joseph Jacobs at (501) 682-6923.
75th Anniversary
State Parks Director Greg Butts announced the Arkansas State Parks system will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2008. He presented a list of proposed special events and activities that will be held during the year to honor the occasion. Some of these include production of a DVD and brochure portraying the history of the system, its benefits and accomplishments, a statewide photo contest, a calendar, a coffee table book and items for resale.
This release, along with others by the Department of Parks & Tourism, is available electronically at the Department’s on-line media room: www.arkansas.com/media. Hundreds of high-resolution photos are also available at this Web address.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
“Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism”
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"