Chamber of Commerce Annual Report - 1998
Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce     501-253-8737     Email: escoc@ipa.net

Annual Report January 1998

Representatives of the Chamber attended the following bridal & travel shows and tourism meetings in January:
  • Tulsa Bridal Fair
  • Memphis Bridal Fair
  • Springfield Bridal Fair
  • Ark. Parks & Tourism
  • Dan Dipert Group Travel Show
  • Northwest Arkansas Tourism Show
  • Travel Expo
  • Joplin Bridal Fair
  • Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show

Special Events & Publicity: Chamber co-ordinated press release info for Eagle Watch weekend, which filled to capacity. The press list was updated, and new publications were added.

Mailroom tally: 326 Rush packets, 3,883 Visitor Guides, 395 Wedding Books, 31 Group Travel Planners and 67 Retirement/Relocation Guides.
Goals for January 1999
  • Hire and train a telemarket/group sales agent

  • Network Chamber computers

  • Assist in hiring LARC tourism facilitator

  • Attend Travel South Show, Northwest Ark. Bridal Fair, Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show


1/99 President's Report
Annual Report—February 1998

Travel shows attended:
  • Ft. Smith Bridal Fair
  • Conway Bridal Show
  • Memphis Sport & Travel Show
  • Northwest Arkansas Bridal Fair

Special Events & Publicity: Chamber reps attended the Ark. Festival Assoc. workshop. Articles about Eureka Springs using material and pictures supplied by the Chamber appeared in Southern Living and Victoria magazines. Several freelance writers were contacted about doing stories on Eureka during the coming year. Eureka Springs was featured in Ozark Life, Parent Life and DogGone magazines.

Mailroom tally: 199 Rush packets, 11,306 Visitor Guides, 302 Wedding Books, 393 Group Travel Planners, and 89 Retirement/Relocation Guides
Goals for February 1999
  • Purchase telephone system upgrade & bring 800 number to Eureka Springs

  • Create a Public Relations/Community Training Committee

  • Assist in LARC implementation

  • Hire a brochure distributor to place attraction guide in Branson

  • Develop an auto response letter for net leads from the Chamber

  • Attend area bridal fairs
Annual Report—March 1998

Travel Shows attended:
  • Travel South
  • What’s Up Down South
  • Governor’s Conference on Tourism
  • Pennsylvania Bus Assoc. Show
  • SpringFest ‘98

Ask Me About Eureka Expo had 45 exhibitors and 800 attendees, a huge success for our first ever community information fair.

Special Events and Publicity: The Original Ozark Folk Festival won the 1998 Henry Award for the Grand Old Classic Special Event category. Articles on Eureka Springs appeared in the Fort Smith, AR, and Prescott, AZ, newspapers, and in the Midwest Motorist.

Mailroom tally: 277 Rush packets, 10,105 Visitor Guides, 611 Wedding Books, 192 Group Travel Planners and 141 Retirement Relocation Guides.
Goals for March 1999
  • Bigger, better Ask Me About Eureka Expo

  • Establish A. A. airport relationship

  • Distribute brochures locally-to continue monthly

  • Attend Govenors Tourism Conference, area bridal fairs, and the Pennsylvania Bus Association conference

  • Special Events Publicity Blitz

  • Staff Hospitality Training

  • Ark. Small Business Development Seminar

Annual Report—April 1998

Shows attended: Arkansas Hospitality Assoc. Show

Meetings: Attraction Sales Program, Approval of CAPC Spring Advertising Campaign

Special Events and Publicity: Assisted with Victorian Classic, which was the best ever! Easter Egg Hunt was a great success! KKPT, a Little Rock radio station, broadcast from the Grand Central Hotel, and interviewed local event organizers. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette did a color cover on the May Fine Arts Festival in the Lifestyle section. Press releases were sent out in two formats for the first time: one for Radio/TV and one for publications. Eureka Springs was featured in National Geographic, Arkansas Newsmagazine, the Business section of the Morning News, and the Religion section of the Ark. Democrat-Gazette.

Mailroom Tally: 11, 208 Visitor Guides, 463 Wedding Books, 340 Group Travel Planners and 237 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for April 1999
  • Develop Chamber Internet site

  • Develop Membership Packet for new/renewing members

  • Commission demographic study in season

  • Assist with Victorian Classic

  • Organize Easter Egg Hunt
Annual Report—May 1998

Eureka Springs was the host city of the Arkansas Parks & Tourism May meeting, for which the Chamber arranged evening functions at Ellis House and the Crescent Hotel, a tram tour of the Historic District and a mini Gallery Walk.

President Murphy met with newspapers and television stations in Northwest Arkansas to promote Eureka Springs.

Special Events and Publicity: May 3-9 was declared National Tourism Week by Mayor Barbara O’Harris. City and Chamber officials spent time greeting visitors at our Front Desk to celebrate. Gov. & Mrs. Huckabee attended the ribbon cutting for the Pathway of Love. Eureka Springs was mentioned in Family magazine.

Mailroom Tally: 521 Rush packets, 9,804 Visitors Guides, 332 Wedding Books, 121 Group Travel Planners and 247 Retirement/Relocation Guides.
Goals for May 1999
  • Develop Relocation and Retirement packages for state inquiries

  • Upgrade to Wellspring Announcement

  • Host Ark. Parks & Tourism Commission

  • Organize May Arts & Crafts Fair

  • Annual Chamber Audit Due in July

  • In-Room Guide Received
Annual Report—June 1998

Attraction Ticket Sales Program Begins

Provided registration and event assistance to the Arkansas Rural Development Conference

Meetings: CAPC Planning Retreat, Group Travel Committee, Annual Planning Retreat for Ark. Chamber Execs, and monthly commission meeting of Ark. Parks & Tourism. A very important study was released at this meeting stating three of the top four things that non-visitors to Arkansas want to see are in Eureka Springs.

Special Events and Publicity: Continued meeting with organizers of area special events. 1999 Events forms mailed out. Organized giveaway with KWFC of Springfield, MO. Worked with Elite Home & Lifestyle magazine for Holiday feature. Worked with Midwest Motorist magazine for fall feature on Eureka Springs.

Mailroom Tally: 571 Rush packets, 7,896 Visitors Guides, 309 Wedding Books, 66 Group Travel Planners and 116 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for June 1999
  • Community Training to be conducted

  • Meeting Planner kit developed for leads

  • Stock photo files updated
Annual Report—July 1998

Chamber provided registration and event assistance to the Arkansas Press Association Conference and the the Arkansas Society of Association Executives Conference. Chamber assumed organization of Walk the Walk Historic Eureka Springs Walking Tours.

Meetings: AAA Tour Guide, Congressman Asa Hutchinson, Govenor’s Aide Mike Nelson, Senator Jon Fitch, Ark. Parks & Tourism Director Joe David Rice, and Ark. Parks and Tourism monthly Commission meeting.

Special Events and Publicity: Assisted with July 4 Eureka Springs birthday party. Mailed articles, relases and photos to Elite Home & Lifestyle, Southern Living, Houston-Dallas Family magazine, Kansas City magazine, Midwest Motorist, Washington Post/Travel. Wrote follow-up article for DogGone magazine. Local paper Flashlight reprinted Publicist Cheri White’s article “The Springs of Eureka: Still Magic After All These Years”, in their July issue.

Mailroom Tally: 437 Rush packets, 10,094 Visitor Guides, 348 Wedding Books, 86 Group Travel Planners and 155 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for July 1999
  • Market Plan draft submitted to CAPC and Board

  • Christmas in July celebration

  • Development of a 10-12 minute video

  • Organize birthday celebration for Eureka Springs

  • Send Office Manager Beth Bartlett to Chamber Institute for further training
Annual Report—August 1998

Shows attended: Oklahoma Travel Fair

Assisted with Arkansas Society of Assoc. Executives Conference, Ark. Press Association Conference and Ark. Broadcasaters Association Conference.

Meetings: CAPC contract committee, Ark. Economic Development Commission, Publications Committee

Special Events and Publicity: Both the Special Events Coordinataor and the Publicist continue monthly to meet with organizers of area events and coordinate Chamber assistance and participation. Several newspapers picked up a routine press mailing that included a blurb on the Toothpick Holders convention, and phoned for pictures and more info.

Eureka Springs was featured, listed or mentioned in the following publications: The Great Towns of America, The 46 Funkiest Towns, America’s Most Charming Towns and Villages, Victorian magazine, and the AAA publication “Day Tours From Little Rock”.

Mailroom Tally: 304 Rush packets, 7,942 Visitors Guides, 314 Wedding Books, 55 Group Travel Planners and 179 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for August 1999
  • Nominations for year 2000 Board of Directors

  • Interpretive signage developed & installed

  • Group Travel Planner received
Annual Report—September 1998

Eureka Springs landed the back cover of the Arkansas Tour Guide and 4 advertising signs at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Hosted a FAM Tour for 36 travel agents on behalf of Ark. Parks & Tourism, highlighting our bed & breakfasts and area attractions.

Special Events and Publicity: Antique Auto Festival, Eureka Springs Jazz Festival,Ozark Folk Festival Fall Village Arts & Crafts Show,and Corvette Weekend received Chamber assistance or were organized by our Special Events department. The Antique Auto Festival, our biggest in-house event, was very successful and was “smooth as silk”, benefiting from the entire staff’s organization and participation. KY-3 TV filmed footage for the Eureka Springs Jazz Festival.

Mailroom Tally: 314 Rush packets, 9,927 Visitors Guides, 255 Wedding Books, 68 Group Travel Planners and 152 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for September 1999
  • Staff Hospitality Training

  • Organize Antique Auto Festival

  • First budget draft

  • Assist with Jazz Festival
Annual Report—October 1998

Shows attended:
  • Women’s Show in Springfield, MO
  • Arkansas Hospitality Association Convention

LARC Study was presented, and had many thoughtful insights and suggestions for the city, including many the Chamber had already begun preparations for, such as the visual coordination of marketing materials and new directions for publications.

President Murphy gave a radio interview to a Shreveport radio station, and a speech to Berryville Kiwanis Club.

Special Events and Publicity: KXUS-FM did a radio promo/giveaway for the Street Rod Show. Eureka Springs received 1st Runner-up in the Springfield Times-Leader’s “Most Romantic Destination” category. Information and photos on the Holiday Season were sent to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tulsa World, Elite Home & Lifestyle, and the Washington Post.

Mailroom Tally: 393 Rush packets, 6,790 Visitors Guides, 293 Wedding Books, 101 Group Travel Planners and 134 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for October 1999
  • Budget Approval by Board

  • Board Elections for 2000

  • Christmas Publicity Blitz

  • Organize Folk Crafters Show
Annual Report—November 1998

Shows attended: National Tour Association Convention,St. Louis

Meetings: Special CAPC meeting for LARC study, monthly Parks & Tourism Commission meeting

Special Events and Publicity: Christmas Parade was a wonderful success with over 60 entries. Santa in the Park was great, with lollipops and small toys for each child. Southern Living ran a full page article on Eureka Springs called “Eureka Rings in the Holidays” . Preparations began for the Annual Banquet. A special media blitz went to our media contacts letting them know of the extended fall color this year. Arranged a spot for Marti Dozier to appear on KY-3 with Steve Grant to talk about our Parade and Holiday schedule, along with the Boys and Girls Club and Coca-Cola’s participation. KODE-TV filmed the Parade and weekend activities for a three-part series.

Mailroom Tally: 260 Rush packets, 2,836 Visitors Guides, 253 Wedding Books, 22 Group Travel Planners and 74 Relocation/Retirement Guides.
Goals for November 1999
  • Rebuilding of Chamber booths for travel shows

  • Holiday activity kickoff

  • NTA trade show

  • 2000 calendar printing

  • Holiday FAM Tour

  • Organize Holiday Parade & Santa in the Park
Annual Report—December 1998

Shows attended: American Bus Association Convention

1999 Visitors Guide proofing and printing
Organized Annual Banquet
1999 Wedding Book layout and printing

Special Events and Publicity: Continue to meet with area event organizers. The Chocolate Extravaganza had more entries than ever. Media judges Kelley Bass of the Arkansas Times, Angie Atalla from Channel 40/29 and Elaine Perkins of Elite Home & Lifestyle will be giving the event and the town some good publicity when they return home. The Bridal Times of Little Rock will feature an article written by Publicist Cheri White this month. The Special Events department is working on a Media Day for 1999, adding to the press contacts and surfing the web for more places to advertise Eureka Springs for free.

Mailroom Tally: Not yet available
Goals for December 1999
  • Annual Banquet

  • New Officers Appointed and Approved

  • ABA Travel Show

  • Wedding Guide received

  • Visitors Guide received

The Chamber of Commerce Welcomes These New Members for 1998!

The Bart Rockett Show
Chalet Inn
Community First Bank
Country Lane Cottage
Covenant Gardens
Cup of Inspiration/New Leaf Press
Duke’s West Oaks
Edward Jones
Eureka Springs Opry
Farris Automotive
Feathers Gallery
Garmeister
The Goggans Agency
Hidden Cove RV Park & Campground
Inga’s Vunderbar
Iris at the Basin Park
Island True Value Hardware
K & S Telecom
Kings River Golf Course
Lady Eureka
Lakeview Wellness Center
Outdoor Resorts of the Ozarks
RiverLake Outdoor Center
Twins Food Mart #7
The Tuxedo Store
Villa Avarana
Weaver Springs IVth

The Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present to its members and our community the 1999 workplan.

Committed to positive efforts, we plan an aggressive business agenda focused on enhancing existing tourism investment. The Chamber plans a cooperative effort with city government and the CAPC while presenting romantic travel, group business, family and bus travel.

Thank you for your continued investment and please contact us at any time to be updated on project status.

We wish the very best for you and your families during this Holiday season.

Sincerely,

Jack Moyer

1999 Chairman of the Board

1998 Board of Directors: Ken Smith, Chairman, Jack Moyer, Chairman Elect, Ron Morrison, 2nd Vice Chairman, Cindy Sumpter, Paula Adkins, Dave Baker, Jerry Ballinger, Barbara Dicks, Peggy Evans, Charles Goodwin, Iris Simantel, and Nan Wayne.

New Board members for 1999: Jane Acord, Christie Ball, Gary Kleck and Marvin Peterson.

Chamber Staff: President Rick Murphy, Office Manager/Publications Beth Bartlett, Publicist Cheri White, Special Events Coordinator Janet Lauer, Bookkeeper Ann Ruliffson, Mailroom Supervisor Wilsie Sherman, Mailroom Assistant Jackie Collins, Receptionists Clara Edwards, Madonna Maxedon, Anne Moore, Alice Mowrey, Fran Runner, and Gwen Votipka.



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