State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held Oct. 20-21, 2010 in Harrison at the North Arkansas College Durand Conference Center. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614. The next Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting will be held Nov. 17-18, 2010 in Bentonville.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Richard Davies informed the Commission that The Economic Impact of Arkansas Volunteers’ report of the 105 State Agencies/Organizations/Institutions listed the Department of Parks and Tourism as number one in the number of volunteers with 66,836. For more information contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.

STATE PARKS DIVISION

The commission approved the agreement renewal for the Arkansas Broadcasters Association Partnership Grant and the Arkansas Press Association Partnership Grant. For more information contact Joan Ellison at 501-682-2873.

Staff presented an update on the Energy Plan with efforts that have been completed thus far and future plans that will be implemented within the State Parks division to reduce energy costs and consumption, and increase green initiatives. For more information contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.

TOURISM DIVISION

Tourism Demonstration Projects: Update

Joe David Rice, tourism director, and Nancy Clark, assistant tourism director, reported on the Southeast Arkansas project. Arkansas’s extreme southeastern corner – essentially the area from Arkansas Post south to the Louisiana line and bounded on the east by the Mississippi River and the west by Bayou Bartholomew – is rich in history and heritage. Several ideas are on the table for short term and long term plans. For more information contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088.

Research and Information Services

Research and Information Services Manager Joanne Hinson reported on Welcome Center figures and inquiries received by the Department. She said the Arkansas State Fair attendance was up substantially this year.
In a study of 2005 to 2010 of tourism jobs in the nation, Arkansas has 2.34 percent more hospitality jobs and ranks nationally at 23 for total jobs. Texas ranked number one and Oklahoma ranked fourth. Missouri came in just below Arkansas at 24. For more information contact Joanne Hinson at 501-324-1520.

Tourism Development

Printed Henry Award nomination forms for the 37th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism have been mailed. The online form is available at www.arkindustryinsider.com/henry-awards. The deadline for all submissions is October 29, 2010. The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is slated to be held in Little Rock, March 6-8, 2011. For more information contact Donna Perrin at 501-682-1926.

Communications

Communications Manager Dena Woerner reported that Arkansas: The State of Fishing, a media tour set for Nov. 15-23, will include travel writers, photographers, trade publications and fishing companies. Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes and the White River will be the main bodies of water used. A small side trip by a smaller group will be on Lake Ouachita. Participants are Northland Fishing Tackle, Frabill, Marcum Technologies, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Corps of Engineers, Gaston’s, Blue Lady Resort, St. Croix, Daiwa Reels, Ozark Mountain Regional Tourism Association, Traditions Media, and Ranger Boats, and Sysco Foods.

Woerner also reported that SEOPA and AGLOW will have their 2011 conferences in Branson. The organizations have asked Arkansas to offer some side trips to The Natural State. For more information contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.

Aristotle

Marla Johnson Norris reported on online trends and statistics. Visitor sessions are up for the tourism website with 452,955 in September for a 17.8 percent increase over September 2009. Arkansas.com is number four in terms of the market share of all 50 state tourism sites. Arkansas is still leading the pack in regard to its contiguous state tourism sites. Norris also stated that the state’s iPhone application downloads are nearing the 2,000 mark.

Norris also presented the tourism department with the 2010 Web Award for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development from the Web Marketing Association. For more information contact Marla Johnson Norris at 501-374-4638.

Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods

To encourage Arkansans to travel to numerous holiday lights sites, a Facebook page is being created for the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights. People who travel to at least three locations and post photos of the light displays they see will receive an Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights Christmas ornament. There is a limited quantity. Only the first 250 people to post their photos will receive the ornament. An additional promotional element is a partnership with Wendy’s. Tray liners, restaurant window decals and stickers on take-out bags will promote the trail. Brochures will be available at Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and other traditional visitor information locals. For more information contact Karen Mullikin at 501-975-7217.