SPRTC Summary for August 2013

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held at DeGray Lake Resort State Park August 15-16 2013. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614. The next Commission meeting will be held September 18-19 in Little Rock at the AHA Show.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Richard Davies, Executive Director of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, reported there are new signs for the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, which is located in the Pine Bluff Convention Center in Pine Bluff. Davies also reported on U.S. Government Sales Tax exemptions. For more information contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

TOURISM DIVISION

Joe David Rice, Tourism Director, reported on the Western Amateur Golf Tournament held at the Alotian Club in Roland. The tournament brought a good deal of exposure to Arkansas and featured the top amateur golfers in the country. It was the first time the tournament had been held in Arkansas and the first time in 41 years the tournament had been held outside the Chicago and Michigan area. It was also the first time the course, which is private, had been opened to the general public.

Joe David Rice gave an update report on Travel South USA. He updated the commission on tourism news from the states that belong to Travel South, a region that includes the southern quadrant of the U.S. For Arkansas, topics included visitation numbers at Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, Arkansas State Parks, and the wine trail.

Research

Joanne Hinson, manager of the Research and Information Services Section presented a study on travel motivation in the post recession era. The study was undertaken by the 2R research fund- a national study. Key changes since 2008 were increased interest in relaxation opportunities, to visit less crowded places and less commercial experiences, and to engage in more pre-planning. The study found that the number one thing travelers are looking for are bargains.It was reported that the Helena-West Helena Welcome Center is running behind schedule because of rain. An October completion date is still anticipated.

For more information contact Hinson at 501-324-1520.

Communications

Kat Robinson, Communications Manager, reported that the section is preparing for a visit by The Motorhead Traveler, a television program hosted by Kevin Cullen that focuses on culture and motorized opportunities of that place. The show airs in four different countries. They will be in the state in September for 13 days to film three shows. The filming locations include the Arkansas Delta, the Lake Ouachita region and the North Central Ozarks. The section has been working on the 2014 Tour Guide. Next year’s publication will include a revamped format for regional listings and every location featured in the Guide will include a website and details that will help promote the location to the public.

For more information contact Robinson at 501-682-7606.

Tourism Development

Kristine Puckett was congratulated by the commission on being named the new manager for the Tourism Development section. Ms. Puckett reported that the section has been working on the Calendar of Events (COE). The section is collecting and posting events for the 2014 Spring/ Summer calendar ( March 1-Labor Day weekend). The Regional Tourism Associations will be meeting in Little Rock to review the Regional Tourism Association Rules and Regulations.

For more information, contact Puckett at 501-682-1926.

Group Travel

Cheryl Ferguson, Group Travel Consultant, reported that she attended the Southern Legislative Conference in Mobile, Alabama. The conference will be in Little Rock next year in July. At the conference Ms. Ferguson handed out 4G USB drives that wrap around the wrist similar to a bracelet. The drives were loaded with a 3-minute video featuring Little Rock. Some of the drives were loaded with prizes which were revealed once the video was watched. She passed around a sample USB drive for members of the commission to see. Ms. Ferguson also attended the South Central Motorcoach Association show in Birmingham, Alabama. There were 100 operators at the show. She also attended a motorcycle marketing meeting at the Arkansas Hospitality Association office. During the meeting members of the tourism industry gathered to discuss promoting motorcycle tourism in the state.

For more information, contact Ferguson at 501-682-1219.

Internet-Related Items

Marla Johnson Norris, CEO of Aristotle, reported on the wedding promotion campaign on Arkansas.com. Over 5,000 people entered this and a couple from Crossett won the promotion. More than 660,000 in Arkansas and the surrounding states who had a Facebook relation status of ‘engaged’ saw the Arkansas Dream Wedding promotion. Norris also reported that the Grownup Getaways campaign launched this week. It has sweepstakes and Facebook components with it. They are about to launch the Great River Road landing page and anniversary content and are developing a new photo gallery based on a Pinterest design. It was reported that Arkansas.com is the third most visited state tourism website in the country.

For more information contact 501-374-4638.

Commissioner Cindy Smith gave a Certificate of Appreciation to Kathy Ritter, who has worked at DeGray Lake Resort State Park for 33 years and is retiring this year.

Advertising Report

Karen Mullikin of CJRW gave a report on the Spring Summer 2013 campaign. There were 13 markets for the post buy analysis. A Fall/Winter television campaign was presented to the commission by CJRW as well. These campaigns target an older audience and run 3 weeks Sept. 23-Oct. 20. Scott Sudduth made a presentation to the commission on the Welcome to Arkansas program.

For more information contact Karen Mullikin at 501-975-7217.

Misc.

Marla Crider, Deputy Tourism Director, reported that the Southern Governors’ Association Conference and the Southern Legislative Conference will both be in Little Rock next fall.

PARKS DIVISION

The State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission gave final approval for the 2014 Fees & Rates for Arkansas State Parks facilities and services.For additional information contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743 or Joe Jacobs at 501-682-6924.

ASP TV and radio spots were approved for the fall campaign as presented.For additional information contact Joe Jacobs or Joan Ellison at 501-682-6924.

Joan Ellison reported that a twelve year old boy from North Carolina found a 5.16 carat diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park on July 31, 2013.Michael Dettlaff found the honey brown, pear shaped gem after surface searching for less than 10 minutes.Grateful for the blessing of a diamond find, the Boy Scout named his gem the God’s Glory Diamond.Ellison reported that the story has been picked up by the three major networks along with numerous national and international publications.For additional information contact Waymon Cox or Margi Jenks at 870-285-3113.For additional information on the park go to www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com.

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