Hope Tourism Commission – Hope Prescott

The Hope Tourism Commission met in the City Hall Boardroom on Tuesday (9-12). The minutes were reviewed, Trevor Coffee made a motion to approve which was seconded and passed.

For expenses Kelly Field payments have been completed.

The last time mowing was done along the interstate trash was left and it doesn’t look good. Normally it is picked up. The State pays for 6 cuttings and the city is responsible for the rest.

There was a motion by Coffee to approve the financials as presented. This was seconded and passed.

For the permits and payments, letters went out and the new procedure is in place. Seven businesses are behind on their tourism tax payments. Little Caesar’s and Tab’s are the biggest issue as they are the farthest behind. In the last two months, there has been a decline in revenue. After a business is behind 60 days letters are sent out expressing the permit will revoked in 30 days. They can request a hearing before the Commission. If they ignore the notice the permit will be revoked after the 30 days. If they continue to operate at this point they will be cited and have to go to court.

Ashley Moore Senior Executive/Travel and Tourism of CJRW spoke to the Commission in terms of Marketing Hope. Moore spoke on the value of print. She said a visitor could easily spend several days exploring the area, especially if they were a history bluff. As well as print Moore talked about digital marketing, stating Arkansas.com is huge and more men than women are visiting it right now and planning trips. She thinks this is due to the push of outdoor activities such as biking. When it is cold bikers, come here from Colorado. Moore also talked about banner advertising and its use of impressions over time. These are tracked in terms of clicks with the data being instantly available. A video was created last year promoting Hope as being part of the good life and she expressed a desire to renew it. Parks Director Summer Chambers stated the footage obtained this year wasn’t as good. Commissioner Coffee made a motion to go with CJRW which was seconded and passed.

Chambers said she had been putting off planning anything for the eclipse coming in 2024 until she could see what the University was planning with the hopes of working together. She noted she went to a meeting and concluded they had a different vision and not enough parking. Instead the Commission will promote Solar Shopping with a super garage sale downtown on Saturday morning and and music Saturday evening. With the plan for various bands in different locations, there will be the attempt to have something for everyone. This will be similar to the old street dances. Sunday evening the plan is for activities and a concert in the park. The band will need to be booked soon. Monday, the event will be hosted at the airport for the majority of the day since traffic is predicted to be overwhelming on that day. Monday will be promoted as more of a tailgate day where families can grill and tailgate. There will food trucks for those who choose not to bring their own food. As with the July 4th activity, there will be bounce houses. It will be a family fun day. The airport will be open early and will not close till 6 or 7 so that attendees don’t have to fight traffic. Chamber noted it was hard to get things for the event as prices are really high. She asked how much does tourism want to spend on the event. It was noted Hope Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley is figuring what to do with the schools. He may keep them closed on Monday because of the traffic. He is studying what role the schools will play in the eclipse events. The expectation is around 5,000 to 6,000 people to attend as people will come from Louisiana and some of Texas. The Commission passed a motion to spend $15,000 on the eclipse event with the possibility of more if needed.

In other business, a public parking sign for the Clinton Birthplace Museum and Klipsch Visitor’s Center and partnering with the Klipsch Museum for better promotion of their events were discussed.

It was noted “Trunk and Treat” will be rain or shine.

There will be an adopt the pole for the Christmas event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The theme will be A Storybook Christmas. The event will take place Friday and Saturday with the bigger ice skating rink.

The new lights on Kelly Field and the work done on the soccer field have made a world of difference in that part of town. Parking will be the next project.

The meeting then adjourned.