State Parks Recreation & Travel Commission Summary for October 2013

SPRTC Summary for October 2013
State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Summary

The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held at Mountain Harbor Resort in Mount Ida on October 17, 2013. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614. The next Commission meeting will be held November 21 in Harrison.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Harvel presented to the Commission news that Economic Development officials in Arkansas and Oklahoma are endorsing a proposal to deepen the shipping channel in the Arkansas River. Deepening the river to 12 feet will enable barges to carry more cargo. The issue of bringing together a coalition for this was presented to the Commission. A letter in regards to this topic has been sent to 52 mayors.

TOURISM DIVISION

Marketing roadshows are set to take place in various communities. The roadshows will take place at the end of October and early November in Fort Smith, Rogers, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Hot Springs, Dumas and Magnolia. For more details contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088.

Research and Information Services: Section Report

The total number of vehicles stopping at Arkansas State Welcome Centers decreased .5 percent compared to September of last year. The issue of drivers overshooting the West Memphis Welcome Center due to signage was discussed with the Commission. A new website, www.idrivearkansas.com, was introduced to the Commission. Content will include details such as construction zones and alternate routes, weather and real time traffic flow. The Commission was shown photos of the new Helena-West Helena Welcome Center. The staff has not moved into the building yet, however, November 19 is the dedication date that has been vetted with Governor Beebe. Contact Joanne Hinson at 501-324-1520 for details.

Communications: Section Report

The Commission was given a report on The Motorhead Traveler visit to Arkansas. The Canadian television program, hosted by Kevin Cullen, features different locales in each episode. He filmed episodes highlighting the Ouachitas, the Delta and the Mountain View area. The department will see the edited shows in December before they air. Fall Foliage season is approaching and the staff is on standby as foliage watchers prepare to report on color changes. A Geiger Tour will take place in North Central Arkansas this month. Twenty journalists will visit the Buffalo National River Valley, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork and Mountain View. Contact Kat Robinson at 501-682-7606 for more details.

Tourism Development

All but four of the Regional Tourism Associations met the monthly compliance deadline for September. There were: Arkansas’ South, Northwest Arkansas Tourist Association, Ozark Mountain Region, and Western Arkansas’ Mountain Frontier. Public comments on the Regional Tourist Association Rules & Regulations proposed changes are being posted. The public hearing will be on Oct. 22 at the Arkansas Hospitality Association Office. The section is also accepting nominations for the annual Henry Awards. A promotion kit has been developed for the Welcome to Arkansas program. For more information contact Kristine Puckett at 501- 324-1926 for more details.

Group Travel: Section Report

The department is in full swing with tradeshows including the Small Market Meeting Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that took place October 6-8. Group Travel received 68 new inquiries last month versus 172 new inquiries for Sept. 2012. Contact Tracy Morales at 501-682-1219 for more information.

Internet-related Items

Traffic to Arkansas.com has increased 11 percent compared to this month last year. Arkansas.com was the 4th most visited state tourism site in the country. The Song of Arkansas campaign, a social marketing contest, will be launched in a week. Airbnb.com is a digital accommodations marketplace that people around the world use to rent out their homes or spare rooms like a hotel. The impact of this industry trend and impact on the lodging industry was discussed. Contact Aristotle CEO Marla Johnson-Norris at 501-374-4638 for more details.

Marketing/Advertising

Cranford Johnson Robinson and Woods presented new Point of View videos. These included a new fall driving video, one of Segway tours around Little Rock, another showing a rope swing across a swimming hole, one showing kids exploring the Museum of Discovery and one highlighting the King Biscuit Blues Festival at Helena. For more information contact Karen Mullikin at 501-975-7217.

PARKS DIVISION

Arkansas State Parks (ASP) renewed the grant partnership program with the Arkansas Broadcaster’s Association for the coming year.The partnership program promotes ASP through TV and radio advertising. The partnership program promotes the diverse facilities, programs and activities of the state park system, inspiring Arkansas pride in the state park system encouraging Arkansans to travel in state and visit other Arkansas travel destinations.For additional information contact Joan Ellison at 501-682-2873.

ASP announced the FY 2013 Arkansas State Parks awards recently at the annual Superintendent’s business meeting held at the Ozark Folk Center State Park over September 24-26. The FY 2013 awards honor the Overall Park of the Year, five region winners, and the Best of the Best category awards.Winners of Park of the Year are:Region 1 - Lake Dardanelle State Park; Region 2 - Bull Shoals-White River State Park; Region 3 - Village Creek State Park; Region 4 - Historic Washington State Park; Region 5 - Mount Magazine State Park; with the Overall Park of the Year awarded to Bull Shoals-White River State Park.

The Best of the Best category winners include:Outstanding Hospitality - DeGray Lake Resort State Park; Outstanding Park Maintenance - Davidsonville Historic State Park; Outstanding Volunteer Program - Historic Washington State Park; Resource Management - Mount Magazine State Park; Interpretive Program - Ozark Folk Center State Park and Outstanding Special Event - Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park for “150th Anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove.”For additional information contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.

Shelley Flanary, Interpreter at Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area, has been named by the Arkansas Forestry Foundation as the 2013 Arkansas Project Learning Tree (PLT) Outstanding Educator.In addition, Flanary will be submitted as Arkansas’s nominee for the 2014 PLT National Outstanding Educator award in Traverse City, MI.