State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held October 14-15, 2009, in Texarkana at the Four States Fair Agricultural Learning Center. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614. Texarkana Mayor Horace Shipp welcomed the members and guests of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Assistant Gloria Robins reported that this was the first official paperless Commission meeting. Commissioners were provided computers with agenda items and support documents.

Executive Director Richard W. Davies reported that in 2008, Arkansas hosted a delegation from Italy as part of a reciprocal learning program between the University of Arkansas School of Landscape Architecture, Fay Jones School of Architecture, the Department of Parks and Tourism, the Monti Simbruini Park, the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in Rome, and Regione Lazio. A delegation from Parks and Tourism and the University of Arkansas Architecture Department will travel to Italy in November to exchange project ideas on bio-diversity, environmental management, and tourism and park development within protected areas.

TOURISM DIVISION

Travel Promotion Act of 2009
Tourism Director Joe David Rice reported that the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 1023) passed in the House but must now return to the Senate. He reported that new supporters to the Act include Senator Blanche Lincoln and Congressman Vic Snyder. This legislation will be a joint venture between the industry and government and matched dollar per dollar by the private sector. This act should help the U.S. attract international visitors. For more information, contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088.

Assistant Director of Tourism, Nancy Clark, reported on the Endless Feast held at Whitton Farms. The event hosted 120 guests at Whitton Farms in Tyronza, Arkansas. PBS filmed a one hour segment for its television show, Endless Feast. This event will provide excellent exposure for the Delta. For more information, contact Nancy Clark at 501-682-1120.

Marketing Outlook Forum
Tourism Director Joe David Rice reported that the Marketing Outlook Forum will be held in Little Rock at the Statehouse Convention Center Monday, Oct. 26 – Wednesday, Oct. 28. So far approximately 400 attendees are registered. However, last minute registrations will be accepted. Little Rock and the State have worked hard to bring this event to Arkansas. Tourism partners include Acxiom, Aristotle, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, will speak at the Forum. For more information, contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088.

Research and Information Services Section
Joanne Hinson reported that the following indicators show increases in activity compared to 2008, both for September and year-to-date: Welcome Center visitation, National Park visitation, visits to Arkansas.com, and requests for Retirement/Relocation information.
Research and Welcome Center employees are staffing a booth at the Arkansas State Fair, which runs through October 18th.

Rain has delayed the Grand Opening of the Lake Village Welcome Center, which may now be held in late November or early December.

Communications Section
Communications Manager Dena Woerner reported that the Communications Section has received an overwhelming response to Haunted Arkansas. The section is adding a related links page to the site. Woerner introduced the social networking application, Whrrl.com, and gave examples of the Whrrl stories written by the section. Woerner introduced Quick Response (QR) Code technology to the Commission and explained how these codes will be used for tourism. For more information, contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.

Tourism Development Section
As of September 25, one Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study Grant application was submitted for the second submission deadline. That grant application was later withdrawn. The grant balance for FY10 remains at $13,838.00 for the last deadline of FY10 – November 27, 2009.

Printed Henry Awards nomination forms for the 36th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism have been mailed. The online version of the form is available at www.arkindustryinsider.com. The deadline for all submissions is Oct. 30, 2009. The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is scheduled to be held in Eureka Springs, March 7-9, 2010.

The Tourism Development section worked with Aristotle to renovate the online Calendar of Events (COE). A new addition to the COE is an advanced search for event category, keyword, and all park programs and long-term events. A column of broad categories has also been added to the left side of the page to pique the interest of site visitors who may be just browsing. Broad categories include: Festivals and Fairs, Family Events, Arts and Culture, Outdoors, Sports, Free Events, and Haunted. For more information, contact Donna Perrin at 501-682-1926.

Group Travel Section
The Arkansas Group Travel Delegation attended the TEAMS2009 conference in New Orleans October 13-16, 2009. A cooperative effort of members of the Arkansas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and Group Travel Section met with top sports organizers across the nation.

Arkansas Group Travel recently teamed with Little Rock, Conway, and Fort Smith to host a FAM trip for tour operators of Red Carpet Charters Tours of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact Renee Robison at 501-682-1219.

Web Site update
Marla Johnson Norris, Aristotle, stated that over 500,000 people visited Arkansas.com during the month of September. This is a 12.3% increase over last year. Year-to-date, Arkansas.com has had over five million visitors. Jonathon Eudy reported that the Arkansas YouTube page is up and videos continue to be added by staff. Projects under way include visitmyarkansas.com, changes to Arkansasmediaroom.com, the Anniversaries page, Extreme Arkansas page, and Affordable Arkansas.

Spring/Summer Advertising and Marketing Campaign Update
Karen Mullikin, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, reported that the Trail of Holiday Lights brochures are printed and the 2009 trail information is available on Arkansas.com. The brochure can be downloaded from the Web site. The Trail of Holiday Lights television ad was also viewed and approved by the Commission. Mullikin reported on the ERA Longwoods benchmark study. Research showed that the regional ad campaign was successful with more than one million people exposed to the ad campaign. The majority of those that saw the ads and responded to the survey had a positive impression of Arkansas. For more information, contact Karen Mullikin at 501-975-6251.

STATE PARKS DIVISION

Revisions to Crater of Diamonds Search Area Rules and Regulations
Greg Butts, Arkansas State Parks Director, recommended revisions to the PD 2205 Crater of Diamonds Search Area Rules and Regulations regarding public use of the search area. Public comments will be received through November 19th. For more information, contact Kris Richardson at 501-682-6918.

Arkansas Geological Survey – Seismic Stations Agreement
Staff recommended a cooperative agreement with the Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) and University of Memphis to expand earthquake detection in Arkansas. Governor Beebe has directed the AGS to add more seismic stations in Arkansas. For more information, contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.

Advertising Agreement Renewals
Greg Butts, Arkansas State Parks Director, introduced Jim McCall, executive director of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association. McCall reported that the Arkansas Broadcasters Association (ABA) would like to renew the partnership agreement with Arkansas State Parks (ASP). Since 1987, ASP has invested $1.3 million and has received $18.5 million in broadcast promotion by the ABA.

The Arkansas Press Association (APA) partnership agreement is also up for renewal. Greg Butts presented the APA agreement for renewal, which began in 1988. For more information on both agreements, contact Joan Ellison at 501-682-2873.

Capital Improvement Project Quarterly Report
Stan Graves, Manager of Planning and Development, reported that $7.5 million in projects have been completed in the last fiscal quarter, with $22 million in projects currently under way. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.

Miscellaneous
Greg Butts showed photographs of the eagle release and program at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. Over 500 visitors participated in this event.

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area’s visitor center was recognized with an Award of Excellence in construction and design by the South Central Construction News. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.

The TV show Dirty Jobs was filmed near Jacksonport State Park. The program will air on Oct. 20 and involves the trapping and studying of Alligator Snapping turtles.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Nominating Committee selected by SPRTC Chairman, Danny Ford. Those serving will be Jay Bunyard and Ness Sechrest.