27th Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference On Tourism Scheduled for
March 18-20
March, 2001

By Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Department of Parks and Tourism

The newly-expanded Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock will be the site of the 2001 Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. This will be the 27^th edition of the event, which is being held March 18-20.

Theme for this year's conference is "Marketing Arkansas: The BIGGER Picture."  Over 600 members of the state's tourism industry are expected to attend the conference, according to Joe David Rice, Tourism Director.

On Sunday, March 18, registration for the conference will be in the Toltec Room of the Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. That evening at 6 p.m., Little Rock and North Little Rock welcome delegates to an early bird party, billed as "Clues, Caves & Camaraderie." It takes place at the Arkansas Aerospace Education Center and IMAX Theater.

On Monday, March 19, registration will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 10 a.m. there will be a general session featuring Dr. John R. Powers, president of the Powers of Motivation Institute. Title of the presentation is "How to Keep Promises You Make to Yourself." Opening ceremonies and the ribbon cutting follows at 11:30 a.m. 

Dr. Powers will also deliver the keynote address - "Living at the Speed of Life" - at the Partners Luncheon at noon. During the luncheon, tourism and state parks partners will be recognized for their contributions to the industry during the past year.

Following the luncheon, Dr. Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research for the Travel Industry of America, will address the attendees in a general session entitled "Tourism Futures: Looking Out to 2020."

A highpoint of Monday afternoon will be the 2001 State Tourism Marketing Report, presented by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, and Aristotle, Inc. That evening, a silent auction and a live auction conducted by state champion auctioneer Steve Sims will be held. Proceeds from the auctions will benefit the Arkansas Tourism Development.

Concurrent sessions during the conference will deal in depth with the media, Arkansas tourism research, the Internet, tourist information centers, and downtown developments taking place in Little Rock. Susan Sweeney, president of Connex Network, Inc. will speak on "The Formula for E-Business Success for Tourism Operators" at Tuesday's breakfast and Clint Swindall, president of Verbalocity, Inc. will speak on "Leadership: Moving Toward Personal Accountability" at Tuesday's Regional Tourism Association luncheon. The business meeting will conclude with a general session featuring Tom DeLuca, CEO of DeLuca Enterprises, who presents "Theatre of the Imagination."

The conference comes to an end with the Governor's Reception, Banquet and Dance with Governor Mike Huckabee as the featured speaker at dinner. The tourism industry's Henry Awards for outstanding achievements will be a highlight of the evening. The Governor and his band, Capitol Offense, will provide music for the dance.

Registration for the 2001 Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism is $135.00 before March 16 or $170.00 at the door. For further information, contact Nancy Clark, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: (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.