STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAVEL COMMISSION DeGray Lake Resort State Park Bismarck, Arkansas August 20-21, 2015

Commissioners Present

Mike Mills, Chair Shash Goyal Weston Lewey Bill Barnes Jim Shamburger Mike Wilson Jay Bunyard LeRoy Dangeau John Gill Mark Givens

Commissioners Absent

Jim Dailey Danny Ford Bob Knight Montine McNulty Ness Sechrest Cindy Smith Randy Wolfinbarger

Department Staff Present

Richard Davies, Executive Director Cynthia Dunlap, Director of Administration Greg Butts, Director, Arkansas State Parks Joe David Rice, Tourism Director Ron Maxwell, Deputy Tourism Director Gloria Robins, Executive Assistant Jon Brown, Park Operations Manager Randy Roberson, Planning & Development Manager Joe Jacobs, Marketing & Revenue Manager Joan Ellison, Public Information Coordinator Monika Rued, Public Information Officer Marcel Hanzlik, Region 3 Supervisor Shea Lewis, Region 4 Supervisor Grady Spann, Region 5 Supervisor Leah DiPietro Communications Manager Tracy Morales, Group Travel Manager Kristine Puckett, Tourism Development Manager Tiffany Knox, Welcome Center Administrator Miranda White, Tourism Research Manger Erik Holbrooks, Administrative Specialist Kris Richardson, Administrative Specialist

SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 2

Aristotle

Hallie Schoffner Matt McClellan Laura Kirk Whitney Bailey

CJRW

Shelby Woods Wayne Woods Darin Gray Brian Clark Brandi Childress Bill Fitzgerald Brian Kratkiewicz

Guests

Bill Ott, Eureka Springs Linda Eisenhart, ADPT – Central Office Theresa Helliwell, ADPT – Central Office Brandon Owen, Superintendent, Historic Washington State Park Michelle Edmond, DeGray Lake Resort State Park Olandera Dunn, DeGray Lake Resort State Park Linda Hodges, DeGray Lake Resort State Park Chrissy Egleston, Visit Hot Springs Erica Whorton, Visit Hot Springs

Roll Call

Chair Mike Mills called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 20, 2015. Gloria Robins called the roll.

Approval of the Agenda

Weston Lewey moved to approve the Agenda. Mike Wilson seconded and the motion carried.

Presentation of Minutes from Previous Meeting

Jim Shamburger moved to approve the Minutes. Shash Goyal seconded and the motion carried.

SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 3

Financial Report

Cynthia Dunlap presented the year-to-date financial report for the period ended July 31, 2015. The expenditures were: Parks Division, $6,289,101; including construction and grants; Tourism Division, $658,441; Keep Arkansas Beautiful, $21,981; Administration Division, $288,916; and History Commission, $185,104. Expenditures for the Department totaled $7,443,543 a decrease of 5.2% over the same period FY15. The year-to-date operating revenue Parks Division totaled $3,839,399 an increase of 11% over the same period FY15; 1/8% Cent Tax $2,614,246 an increase of 3.00% over the same period FY15; and 2% Tax $1,330,522 a decrease of 0.2% over the same period FY15.

Shash Goyal moved to approve the Financial Report. Mark Givens seconded and the motion carried.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Richard Davies reminded everyone that the Staff Appreciation Dinner and Service Awards will take place following the meeting at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. The dinner is paid for by the Commissioners.

Richard Davies announced that he had a meeting with Governor Hutchinson to discuss what projects were down the road for Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Davies mentioned that Governor Hutchinson expressed interest in the Delta Heritage Trail, and is making plans to travel that route in October.

TOURISM DIVISION

Director’s Office

Joe David Rice announced that Southwest Airlines is introducing direct flights from Little Rock to St. Louis, and United Airlines is introducing direct flights from Bentonville to San Francisco.

Research

The Research & Information Services Section processed 18,099 requests for travel information during July 2015, a decrease of 20.04% from July 2014. The calendar year 2015 inquiry total is 118,923, an increase of 37.71%. Note that July 2015 saw 8,000 fewer inquires than June 2015 which is indicative of the summer ending.

Miranda White and Brandy Flowers have started the Spring/Summer Conversion Study, which includes arrangements for an updated survey that provides information more pertinent to the current needs of the Research & Information Services Section. Surveys have gone out the week of August 17th, and there is a planned two week response scheduled for the week of August 31st. SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 4

The total number of vehicles stopping at Arkansas State Welcome Centers increased 14.15% compared to July 2014. The total number of visitors increased greatly, 46.31% from July 2014. The ratio of travelers to vehicles saw a slight increase with an average of 2.63 visitors per vehicle in July 2015 versus 2.50 visitors per vehicle in July 2014.

There were a total of 118,829 tourists who requested assistance from travel counselors during the month of July.

Communications

Leah DiPietro announced that she and Kerry Kraus worked a Tourism booth at the Arkansas Press Association Super Convention on July 10 th at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock; over 350 people were in attendance. Kerry Kraus and Mary Osteen worked a Tourism booth at the Arkansas Broadcasters Association Convention on July 23-24 at the DoubleTree in Little Rock.

DiPietro informed the Commission that Discover America/Brand USA Southern States Tour made stops in Little Rock & Hot Springs on August 9-10; DiPietro shared pictures with the Commission.

DiPietro shared pictures of the week 1 winners of the BARKansas contest. DiPietro stated that over 1,000 photos have been submitted.

DiPietro shared pictures of social media highlights for the month of July, along with the July photography highlights, which included Downtown Eureka Springs, Queen Wilhelmina State Park and 21c Museum Hotel.

Tourism Development

Kristine Puckett informed the Commission that Festival Advertising Grants are for cities with a population less than 10,500. There is $150,000 budgeted annually from the 2% tourism tax. Puckett announced that there will be a public comment period from August 3 – September 1, 2015. The public hearing will take place at 11:00 am on September 1, 2015 at the Arkansas Hospitality Association office in Little Rock. Puckett stated that she will need the Commission’s approval at the September meeting in Little Rock.

Puckett shared that the Ozark Gateway Region is hosting a Golf Classic fundraiser at the Golf Course on Turkey Mountain in Horseshoe Bend.

Puckett presented two pages from the Living in Arkansas retirement and relocation guide. The ‘Arkansas Cheat Sheets’ were printed and laminated and have been posted in the restrooms at all 13 Arkansas Welcome Centers, along with Central Office. Puckett distributed the latest addition of the Living in Arkansas magazine to the Commission.

SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 5

Welcome Centers

Tiffany Knox announced that Brenda Clark has been hired as the new El Dorado Welcome Center Manager. Martin Reese, Lake Village Welcome Center Manager, visited El Dorado to help train Clark in her new position.

Knox stated that a Managers Meeting will take place on September 2-4 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Knox, along with Kayla Hardage, has been hard at work compiling a new Managers Manual.

Knox informed the Commission that the Fall FAM tour will take place September 21- 25. The Welcome Center employees will be visiting the Heart of Arkansas and Greers Ferry/Little Red River regions.

Group Travel

Tracy Morales presented photos of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Rally that took place July 23-25 in Billings, Montana. Morales shared a story about how she persuaded a gentleman who wanted nothing to do with coming to Arkansas into planning a trip.

Advertising Items

Brian Clark and Brandi Childress reported on CJRW’s advertising items to the Commission. The post buy analysis for 2015 Spring/Summer Television showed that 21 markets were purchased with an overall average of 98%. 6 markets over 100%, while 3 markets under delivered.

The 2015 Fall/Winter Television schedule was presented as follows:

Cable Television: runs 3 weeks, September 21 – October 18 Average Reach: 74.3 of adults 25-54 Average frequency: 3.3 Budget - $417,570

Broadcast Television: runs 3 weeks, September 21 – October 18 Average Reach: 74.3 of adults 25-54 Average frequency: 5.7 Budget - $67,935

Hispanic/Latino Television: Runs concurrently with Cable and Broadcast Spots airing in NW and Central Arkansas, Dallas/Ft. Worth Budget - $28,000 Added Value – 98 Bonus Spots, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Late news billboards SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 6

Internet-Related Items

Matt McClellan and Lara Kirk updated the Commission on Aristotle’s internet-related items. It was reported that there were 622,639 visitor sessions in July 2015, a 3.6% decrease over July 2014. There were 376,451 visitor sessions via phones and tablet devices. Total sales leads amounted to 332,823, with 10,700 per day and a 53.5% conversion rate. The BARKansas contest brought 27,243 visitors to the landing page with over 293,101 video plays and 602 clicks to dog-friendly places in the Natural State. It was stated that over 1,000 photos have been submitted for the BARKansas contest.

Tourism Miscellaneous

Ron Maxwell stated that he attended a Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) meeting in Clarendon. He announced that there will be a fundraising effort to save the White River Bridge; it will take around $4,000,000.

Maxwell informed the Commission that the King Biscuit Blues Festival will take place October 7-10 in Helena-West Helena.

Maxwell stated that National Geographic is working on a website about the Mississippi River which will list important sites along the river.

STATE PARKS

Proposed CY 16 Fees & Rates – Public Meeting

Greg Butts reported a change in the administrative rules and regulations process this year as Governor Hutchinson is reviewing all public rules prior to being published. In addition, with passage of a constitutional amendment last fall and a related law passed this spring, the legislature will approve all proposed rules.

In response to request from the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission (SPRTC), Arkansas State Park (ASP) staff have reviewed proposed cabin and lodge CY 16 fees and rates and suggested minor adjustments. Suggested adjustments were distributed to SPRTC.

Chairman Mills opened the meeting at 2:00 pm to receive any comments from the public regarding the proposed CY 16 fees and rates for Arkansas State Parks. No comments were received during the public meeting or otherwise.

Bill Barnes noted cabins at Petit Jean State Park have a wonderful occupancy rate and would be applicable for larger increase.

SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 7

John Gill moved to approve the proposed CY 16 fees and rates for Arkansas State Parks as amended. LeRoy Dangeau seconded and the motion carried.

Fall TV & Radio Spots

Joan Ellison presented the fall 2015 radio and TV spots for Arkansas State Parks.

John Gill moved to approve the fall 2015 radio and TV spots for Arkansas State Parks as presented:

Radio Cut #1: “The Lodges of Arkansas State Parks” Radio Cut #2: “Think of and Remember” Radio Cut #3: “Hiking a State Park Trail in Fall” TV Cut #1: “Autumn from an Arkansas State Park Point of View” TV Cut #2: “Spend Time in One of Your Arkansas State Parks”

Bill Barnes seconded and the motion carried.

Preliminary Approval for Priority Land Acquisitions – AMNR, APM and LWRSP

Randy Roberson requested preliminary approval to pursue acquisition of properties for employee housing in the vicinities of Arkansas Museum of Natural Resource (Smackover), Arkansas Post Museum (Gillett), and Lower White River Museum (Des Arc). These three parks are currently without employee housing for park superintendents. Although specific properties have not been identified for purchase, it is anticipated that rural, residential properties meeting ASP employee housing standards will go quickly once available. Therefore Roberson requested preliminary approval to move when an appropriate property becomes available. Richard Davies noted that all properties would be appraised before purchase. Greg Butts stated that any acquisition would proceed through the A.C.A. 22-4-106 process as normal and any appraisal over market value would require SPRTC approval.

Jim Shamburger moved for preliminary approval to pursue the A.C.A. 22-4-106 process for residential properties that meet Arkansas State Parks criteria for employee housing located in the surrounding areas at or near Smackover, Gillett, and Des Arc, AR for applicable state parks. Jay Bunyard seconded and the motion carried.

NASPD Annual Information Exchange

Greg Butts presented a summary of the Annual Information Exchange (AIX) Report compiled by the National Association of State Park Directors. The summary shows how Arkansas ranks nationally with the other 49 state park systems in various categories for FY 2014 i.e. acreage, attendance, revenue, support groups and more. Park systems vary in the SPRTC Minutes August 20-21, 2015 Page 8

number and type of facilities and activities provided and therefore the report is an “apples and oranges” comparison among park systems; however the AIX Report does provide a good overview of each state park system, budget, facilities, salaries and general information. Butts noted that ASP is considered a medium size park system nationwide and ranked 17 th in number of cabins, with the degrees of cabin comfort and amenities varying from state to state. As an example, he noted that ASP ranks 15 th in cabin night rentals and 9th in revenue production which bodes well for ASP. Discussion continued regarding the statistical data and how it may be interpreted.

Miscellaneous

Joan Ellison reported that the 8.5 karat diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Parks in late June by Bobbie Oscarson will be cut at Stanley Jewelers Gemologist in North Little Rock and the public is invited to attend. Oscarson accepted an offer to have Mike Botha of Embee Diamonds of Canada cut her gem at no cost. Rather than the gem going to Canada, the master diamond cutter will come to Arkansas and the gem will be cut at Stanley Jewelers Gemologist in North Little Rock the week of September 8-12. The American Gem Society (AGS) has valued the gem as very high quality, colorless, and high clarity. Diamonds typically lose one half of their carats once cut but Botha is hoping to cut this diamond to a 6 karat due to its elongated shape. Once cut, the AGS and designer will design a mount and Stanley Jewelers Gemologist will put the diamond up for sale. If not sold, the diamond will go to auction. All parties have donated their services free of charge to be a part of the “diamond feel good story of the year.” Jim Shamburger suggested that the diamond cutting process should be recorded, possibly a time lapse video, that could be used for interpretation and other education purposes. This is a rare opportunity to follow the complete process from the beginning of the diamond find to the end result. Richard Davies agreed that the diamond cutting should be recorded and options will be explored.

The State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission adjourned at 3:35 pm on August 20, 2015, at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck, Arkansas.