26th Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism Slated for March 26-28
February, 2000

By Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Grab a red marker and circle March 26 to 28 on your calendar. These are the dates for the 26th Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. This year's conference will be held in Bentonville at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center.

The conference begins with registration and an Early Bird Party on Sunday. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Early Bird Party beginning at 6 p.m.

Registration on Monday is from 8 to 5 p.m. Also scheduled for Monday is a Newcomer's Orientation at 10 a.m., followed by the Opening Ceremonies and Ribbon Cutting at 11:30 a.m. The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's Partners will be honored at the noon luncheon, which features Richard W. Davies, executive director of the department. David Zach, president of Innovative Futures, will give the keynote address.

Concurrent sessions begin at 1:45 p.m. and will feature the following topics and presenters: "The Future: A Second Look," David Zach; "Bloom Where You're Planted and Help Your Community Blossom," Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission; and "Getting Traffic to Your Web Site," Marla Johnson, Aristotle Internet Access. The 2000 State Tourism Marketing Report will be presented at 3:15 p.m. by the Department of Parks and Tourism and Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods advertising agency. The evening ends with a silent auction and year 2000 celebration.

Tuesday starts with the Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation Breakfast at 8 a.m. and will feature Robert B. Tucker, president of Innovation Resource. Tucker will speak on "Managing the Future."

Concurrent sessions begin at 9:45 a.m. and will have the following topics and speakers: "Age Waves - A Driving Force," Robert Tucker; "Reserve Your Place Under the Stars," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and "Arkansas Tourism Research Update - Get the Facts," D.K. Shifflet & Associates. The concurrents will be repeated again beginning at 11 a.m. The Regional Association Luncheon at noon will spotlight the Arkansas Regional Tourism Associations and will be presided over by tourism director Joe David Rice. Guest speaker will be Christine Corelli, president of Christine Corelli & Associates, Inc. and her topic will be "The Customer of the Future - Will Tomorrow's Customers Be Yours?"

Afternoon concurrent sessions begin at 1:45 p.m. and will feature "The Art of Influencing People," Christine Corelli; "Getting Traffic to Your Web Site," Marla Johnson, Aristotle; and "Arkansas.com: Information and Opportunities," Nancy Mitchell, Aristotle. A general session at 3:15 p.m. will be on the subject "Playing to Win" and will be presented by Roger Crawford, of Roger Crawford & Associates. The Governor's Reception at 6:30 p.m. will precede the Arkansas Hospitality Association/Governor's Banquet at 7:15. The Honorable Mike Huckabee, governor of the state of Arkansas, will be the guest speaker and will present trophies to the Arkansas Tourism Henry Award winners. The Governor's Dance featuring the Cate Brothers from Fayetteville will round out the evening.

For more information on the conference or to receive a registration packet, contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at (501) 682-1120.

This release, along with others by the Department of Parks & Tourism, is available electronically through the Arkansas Press Association Bulletin Board: apa@lr.cleaf.com (in-state only) and the Department’s Web site: www.arkansas.com under media information.