STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAVEL COMMISSION Ozark Folk Center State Park Mountain View, August 18, 2011

Commissioners Present

Bob Knight, Chairman Debbie Haak Bill Barnes Barbara Harvel Jay Bunyard Billy Lindsey LeRoy Dangeau Mike Mills Danny Ford Ness Sechrest Jim Gaston Jim Shamburger John Gill Cindy Smith

Commissioners Absent

Darin Gray, Vice-Chairman Steve Arrison Montine McNulty

Department Staff Present

Richard W. Davies, Executive Director Gloria Robins, Executive Assistant Cynthia Dunlap, Director of Administration Greg Butts, Director, Arkansas State Parks Joe David Rice, Tourism Director Nancy Clark, Assistant Tourism Director Jon Brown, Operations Manager Stan Graves, Parks Planning & Development Manager Joe Jacobs, Marketing & Revenue Manager Joanne Hinson, Research & Information Services Manager Dena Woerner, Communications Manager Renee Robison, Group Travel Manager Tony Perrin, Region II Supervisor Marcel Hanzlik, Region III Supervisor Dottie Boyles, Administrative Specialist Kris Richardson, Administrative Specialist

Aristotle

Marla Johnson Norris Jonathan Eudy Dina Pruitt SPRTC Minutes August 18, 2011 Page 2

CJRW

Wayne Woods Karen Mullikin Brandi Childress Amy Frazier

Guests

Senator Missy Thomas Irvin, District 10, Mountain View Grady Spann, Superintendent, Ozark Folk Center State Park Tracy King, Superintendent, Bull Shoals White River State Park Dave Jackson, Superintendent, Mammoth Spring State Park Gretchen Hall, Director, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau Connie Adkins, Administrative Specialist, Region II Kathy Holt, Governor’s Office Cathy Drew, Ozark Gateway Tourist Council Adam Davis, Mammoth Spring Welcome Center Norma Sims, Harrison James Crowell, Master Bladesmith, Mountain View

Roll Call

Chairman Bob Knight called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2011. Gloria Robins called the roll.

Approval of the Agenda

Danny Ford moved to accept the Agenda as presented. Mike Mills seconded and the motion carried.

Presentation of Minutes from Previous Meeting

Billy Lindsey moved to accept the Minutes from the July 2011 meeting. Jim Shamburger seconded and the motion carried.

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Welcome to Guests

Grady Spann, Superintendent for the Ozark Folk Center State Park (OFC), welcomed the Commission. Mr. Spann explained the mission of the OFC is to perpetuate, present and promote the Ozark way of life in an educational and enjoyable manner through craft demonstrations, musical programs, the Heritage Herb Gardens, workshops and other special events. The OFC opened to the public in 1973 and consists of 89 buildings on 637 acres.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Cynthia Dunlap presented the year-to-date financial report for the period ended July 31, 2011. The expenditures were: Parks Division, $6,795,011 including construction and grants; Tourism Division, $559,740; Keep Arkansas Beautiful, $22,884; Administration Division, $373,974; and History Commission, $231,011. Expenditures for the Department totaled $7,982,620, an increase of .50% over the same period FY11. The year-to-date operating revenue Parks Division totaled 3,026,053, a decrease of 7.0% over the same period FY11; 1/8% Cent Tax $2,324,870, a decrease of 2.70% over the same period FY11; and 2% Tax $1,084,537, a increase of .3% over the same period FY11.

Ness Sechrest moved to approve the financial report. Mike Mills seconded and the motion carried.

Ms. Dunlap reported the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), who handles the bond issue for Mount Magazine has elected to transfer Trusteeship of the bonds from Metropolitan National Bank to Regions Bank. As a result of the transfer, Regions Bank is requesting the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism make any necessary updates to the paperwork, including signatures and designees to act as authorized Commission Representatives. A motion was requested based on Section 4 of the resolution issued in November 2003.

Mike Mills made a motion for the Commission to authorize Richard Davies to designate the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism staff to act as Authorized Commission Representatives for the Trusteeship in regards to the Mount Magazine Bond Issue. Bill Barnes seconded and the motion carried.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

April 2012 joint meeting with Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Commission.

Executive Director Richard Davies reported a joint meeting with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Commission, and the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission is planned for April 12, 2012 at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

Miscellaneous

Mr. Davies announced that Dale Leggett, Chief, Natural Resource Management Branch, with the Little Rock District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is retiring after 32 years of service. Mr. Davies requested a Certificate of Appreciation for his support of Arkansas Tourism.

Billy Lindsey moved the Commission issue a Certificate of Appreciation for Dale Leggett, Chief, Natural Resource Management Branch, with the Little Rock District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for his many years of service to the Corps and support of Arkansas tourism. Cindy Smith seconded and the motion carried.

Commissioner Bill Barnes has been selected for induction into the 2011 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. Commissioner Barnes is being recognized for his many years of service promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in Arkansas. The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held September 9, 2011, at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock.

TOURISM DIVISION

Johnny Cash Benefit Concert: Report

Commissioner Danny Ford reported on the Johnny Cash Music Festival, held August 4, at the Arkansas State University Convocation Center in Jonesboro. Former Rector native and Arkansas State University (ASU) alumnus Bill Carter helped organize the event with ASU and Dr. Ruth Hawkins, ASU Director of Heritage Sites. The purpose of the event was to raise money to benefit the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home project. Mr. Carter helped get entertainers together for the event which included Rosanne Cash, John Carter and Laura Cash, Tommy Cash, Rodney Crowell, Kris Kristofferson, and George Jones. The concert, which lasted 3 ½ hours, was sold out with over 7,000 people from 30 states in attendance. Tuesday, August 2, Commissioner Ford and his wife Gail were asked to provide transportation for Kris Kristofferson from the airport to

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the hotel. Friday morning, after the concert, they drove him back to the airport. Commissioner Ford stated that Mr. Kristofferson could not have been nicer and it was a pleasure to have hosted him. Over $300,000.00 was raised towards the restoration of the Cash home. The concert was filmed and will be aired on Public Broadcast Television at a date to be announced later.

2013 and 2014 Arkansas Governor’s Conferences on Tourism Bids

Tourism Director Joe David Rice reminded the Commission that bids for the 2013 and 2014 Arkansas Governor’s Conferences on Tourism will be presented at the October meeting in Murfreesboro. Letters were mailed to Bentonville, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, Springdale, Jonesboro, and Rogers.

GPS Situation: Update

At the July Commission meeting, Commissioner Mike Mills stated that the Buffalo Outdoor Center (BOC), located in the Arkansas , had a growing problem. Global Positioning System (GPS) databases were sending people to the wrong location several miles away. The problem was traced to factory installed GPS systems in motor vehicles. Joe David Rice contacted several companies such as Garmin and NAVTEQ about the problem. He wrote letters to the technology editors of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics, as well as customer service representatives at Ford Jeep, and General Motors Corporations (GMC). A representative from GMC reported that NAVTEQ is continually updating information. However after the warranty on the vehicle expires after two or three years, many people wind up driving around with outdated information on their systems depending upon how long they own their vehicle.

Research and Information Services Section

The Research and Information Services Section processed 8,178 requests for travel information during July 2011, a decrease of 23.2% from July 2010. Year-to-date inquires for 2011 are 80,445, a decrease of 16.2% over 2010. They received 733 requests for retirement and relocation information in July, up 7% from July 2010. Year-to-date requests for 2011 are 5,459, down 13.2% over 2010.

Arkansas Welcome Centers received 117,612 visitors during July 2011, down 4.8% compared to July 2010. January – July visitation is 496,611, down 7.5% over 2010.

Joanne Hinson announced that preparations are being made for the 2011 Fall Familiarization Tour taking place in the Arkansas Delta Byways/Arkansas’ Land of Legends Regions, September 26-30.

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Tourism Development Section

Joe David Rice reported that applications for the Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study Grant were mailed out in July. Five incorporated cities have submitted applications to the Tourism Division. Requests are from Batesville for the Polk Bayou development; Camden for a multi-purpose center; DeValls Bluff for a White River research study; Osceola for a Mississippi River floating pier; and West Memphis for the creation of a KWEM Radio destination. Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study Grant Committee recommendations are to be delivered to the ADPT Executive Director on August 15.

The new Agritourism in The Natural State brochure, a joint project of the Arkansas Agriculture Department, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Arkansas Farm Bureau, was distributed. The brochure provides information about the agricultural products of Arkansas and guides the reader with a fun, fact-filled tour that includes crop maps, harvest calendars, festival listings, and other things to see and do. Attractions are listed by region. There were 75,000 copies printed.

Communications Section

Dena Woerner announced the Association of Great Lakes Outdoors Writers was looking for proposals to host the 2013 Spring Mega Media Cast & Blast. Harrison Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ozark Mountain Region Regional Tourist Association each submitted proposals to host the event. A final decision will be made sometime in September 2011 as to which location will be chosen as the host.

Ms. Woerner reported recent national coverage for Arkansas included articles from RollingStone.com website featuring the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home benefit concert in Jonesboro; Trailer Life magazine, Following the Blues Trail in Helena-West Helena; Leisure Group Travel magazine on Arkansas Museums; and artdaily.org on Walmart Donates $200 million donation to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to Sponsor Admission. The August 2011 issue of, North American Fisherman magazine, Feature Travel Tips from In- Fisherman Staff & Friends, mentions Mountain Harbor Resort on and as a fishing destination.

Group Travel Section

The Monthly Tracking Report indicated there were 58 inquires for July 2011 compared to 107 inquires for July 2010. Year to date inquiries are 712 for 2011 compared to 678 for 2010. Leisure Group Travel Magazine in June 2011 developed 18 leads for Group Travel Section featuring a Vintage by Nature theme. LeisureGroupTravel.com featured Northwest Arkansas’s attractions on its website this month.

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Renee Robison reported that as of March 6, 2011, around 10,000 Let’s Ride the Civil War Trail brochures have been distributed. The first 1,000 riders to complete eight Civil War Motorcycling Trails highlighted in the brochure will receive a commemorative patch. Though patches have yet to be given out, the concept has been very popular among bikers.

Ms. Robison attended the Red Carpet Charter Tours Travel Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 16. She reported several motorcoach companies are currently working on tours in Arkansas. Gardens from around the state continue to be a popular destination.

Internet-Related Items

There were 508,647 visitor sessions during the month of July 2011, an increase of 9% over July 2010, and 124,126 links to industry partners. The Arkansas.com website placed number three among all 50 state tourism sites and number one amid the contiguous state sites. The Hot Deals and Packages iPhone application had 3,463 downloads from March 1, 2010 through August 7, 2011, with 629 visits in July and 5,095 page views. During July 2011, there were 65,560 visits from mobile devices to Arkansas.com, by way of 13 operating systems, an increase of 92% over July 2010.

Marla Johnson Norris reported that people are becoming more mobile than ever. In May 2011, for the first time, smartphone and tablet shipments exceeded desktop and notebook shipments. A new generation of consumers expects their smartphones and tablets to come with instant broadband connectivity so they, too, can connect to the Internet.

Updates to Arkansas.com are now complete. Some of the new features include more video, drop down menus are shorter and easier to see, and navigation to other sites is easier. The website also downloads and performs faster.

Advertising/Marketing

Spring/Summer 2011 Post-Buy Analysis

Spot television buys are placed based on estimated ratings. The actual audience for a program cannot be determined until after it airs. Once a schedule has run and the corresponding ratings book is released, a postbuy analysis can be performed. Of the 16 markets purchased as part of the Spring/Summer schedule, all but three, Austin, Little Rock, and Memphis, posted at 90% or higher. As a result of the postbuy analysis, the under-performing stations in all markets will run under-delivery schedules concurrently with their Fall/Winter 2011-2012 flights to make up the deficit.

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Fall/Winter Television Schedules

In addition to Arkansas’s ongoing Television Broadcasters of Arkansas (TBA) in-state schedule, a Fall/Winter spot television campaign was approved for 2011. The 11-market buy will targets audiences ages 35+ and 55+ specifically. A three-week flight was approved in key in-state and out-of-state markets. Schedules are flighted to air for three total weeks during the period of September 26 – October 30. Cable schedules supplement the broadcast investment in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Memphis, Monroe/El Dorado, Oklahoma City, Shreveport, Springfield, Tulsa and Tyler/Longview. In Austin, Houston, St. Louis and Waco/Temple/Bryan markets, only cable television was approved for Fall/Winter 2011-2012. The cable television schedule is recommended to run concurrently with the spot television campaign (September 26 – October 30).

Revised Fall/Winter Print Ads Back in May, when the 2011-2012 Fall/Winter Advertising and Marketing Recommendations were presented, several of the print ads shown featured paintings from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. At the time, approval to use those paintings had not been obtained from the Museum. Since then, permission to use some of the paintings in print ads has been received. The other ads were revised and an opening date of 11/11/11 was added to all of the print ads.

Billy Lindsey made a motion to approve the Fall/Winter television schedule recommendations and the revised Fall/Winter print ads featuring works of art from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Debbie Haak seconded and the motion carried.

Branson Television Market

After researching different markets in the Branson area, the CJRW team recommended Branson Visitor Television to carry Arkansas’s promotional video. The television station is now in 20,000 hotel rooms as well as 18,000 households. The station will run eight spots a day, seven days a week, for a cost of $17,023.00. Spots will run from late August through November 2011.

Jim Gaston moved to approve Branson Visitor Television to carry Arkansas’s promotional video. Debbie Haak seconded and the motion carried.

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Tourism Miscellaneous

Joe David Rice announced that Tourism Division Artist Max Gilbert was recognized by the Arkansas State Employees Association as one of 32 Outstanding State Employees at a banquet held on August 12, at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. Mr. Gilbert was chosen as one of the top five finalists for Arkansas State Employee of the Year. He has worked for ADPT for 35 years and has consistently produced excellent work for the Department of Parks and Tourism.

James Crowell, Master Bladesmith Demonstration

Jim Crowell, a Master Bladesmith from Mountain View gave an overview of the process it takes to forge a knife. Mr. Crowell presented several of the knives he has created and also gave a demonstration of the quality and sharpness of the blades by cutting a 2” x 4” piece of wood and one inch thick rope. He began making knives in 1980 after attending the first American Bladesmith Society (ABS) Hammer at Old Washington State Park in Hope. He is a certified ABS instructor and a former Ozark Folk Center State Park resident Blacksmith and Knife maker.

PARKS DIVISION

Proposed CY 2012 Fees & Rates – Public Hearing (1:30) and Final Approval

Chairman Knight opened the floor to receive comments regarding the proposed CY 2012 fees and rates for Arkansas State Parks (ASP). There were no public comments received at the public hearing or by the state park director’s office regarding the 2012 fees and rates.

Cindy Smith moved to approve the CY 2012 fees and rates for Arkansas State Parks as amended during the July 21, 2011 meeting. Danny Ford seconded and the motion carried.

Queen Wilhelmina – Proposed Southern Belle Depot Sale

Greg Butts advised the request had been withdrawn from the agenda. The proposed buyers, Jay and Andrea Dickerson of Mena, AR, have withdrawn their offer and the sale has fallen through.

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ASP Internet Update

Dina Pruitt with Aristotle presented the new interactive ASP app for the Android smart phone providing easily accessible information on the 52 state park locations, activities and trails. Utilizing the same program as the iPhone, a different version was created to be compatible with the Android phone. Joe Jacobs noted that all information updates made to the ASP website, including special notices, are automatically down loaded onto the two apps, which is beneficial for visitors. Available since August 3, 2011, there have been 181 Android ASP app downloads as of August 14, resulting in a successful launch.

In addition, Aristotle presented Mt. Magazine State Park’s updated website (www.mtmagazinestatepark.com) with user friendly features to access information on accommodations, activities, trails and maps for the park. The new website can be easily edited and maintained by the Department’s staff.

Fall TV and Radio Spots

Joe Jacobs presented fall TV and radio spots for approval; three spots for radio and two spots for TV in association with the Arkansas Broadcaster’s Agreement.

Radio Spots (60-second spots) Radio Cut #1: “Arkansas State Parks iPhone and Android Apps” (new spot) Radio Cut # 2: “Ozark Folk Center State Park” (return) Radio Cut # 3: “Think of and Remember” (return)

TV Spots (30-second spots) TV Cut #1: “Fifty-two State Parks … Four Beautiful Seasons” (new spot) TV Cut #2: “The Trees of Arkansas State Parks” (new spot)

These NCSA television spots will run on stations throughout Arkansas beginning September 1, 2011 and continue until further notice.

Bill Barnes moved to approve three radio spots and two TV spots for Arkansas State Parks as presented for fall. Barbara Harvel seconded and the motion carried.

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Commission Certificate of Appreciation: Employee Daryl Greenwood

Greg Butts requested a Commission Certificate of Appreciation for Daryl Greenwood upon retirement after 23 years of outstanding service as marina manager at Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Greenwood has been a great ambassador for the marina and the park.

Jim Gaston moved to approve a Certificate of Appreciation for Daryl Greenwood upon retirement of 23 years of outstanding service as marina manager at Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Jay Bunyard seconded and the motion carried.

Delta Heritage Trail - Federal-Aid Transportation Grant Resolution

Stan Graves reported that a resolution was approved by the Commission on August 19, 2010 stating the Executive Director of ADPT is authorized to execute federal paperwork necessary for the project. A revision of wording is requested to permit the Executive Director of ADPT or “his designees” are authorized to execute federal paperwork necessary for the project.

Debbie Haak moved to revise a resolution passed by the Commission on August 19, 2010, permitting the Executive Director’s of ADPT or “his designees” to execute federal paperwork necessary for the project. Barbara Harvel seconded and the motion carried.

Miscellaneous

Greg Butts highlighted an article on a Civilian Conservation Corps reunion held at Devil’s Den State Park. The men, all in their 90’s now, met for a reunion hosted by the park and Friends of Devil’s Den State Park.

Greg Butts advised Planning and Development has provided the Ozark Center Folk (OFC) fact sheet detailing $6.6 million in completed projects at the OFC since 1998.

John Gill reported he had a great visit to attending a barge tour viewing the large flocks of Purple Martins, noting Park Interpreter Susan Adkins gave an outstanding program.

Greg Butts reported that the contractor broke ground on the Mississippi River State Park Visitor’s Center on August 16, 2011.

Without any further business, the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission adjourned at 2:30 pm at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mt. View, Arkansas.