The inaugural meeting of the Union County Tourism Coalition is set for 5:30 p.m. today at the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Main.
Community volunteer Janelle Williams said the meeting was scheduled partly in response to a call by Mayor Frank Hash for local groups to join the city in helping to prepare for the 2019 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The larger purpose of the UCTC, Williams explained, is to pull the community together to share information about upcoming events that are expected to bring an influx of visitors to town.
Individuals, groups, businesses who are planning or hosting events — such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, and conferences — are encouraged to attend today’s organizational meeting.
“It’s an opportunity for groups that are involved in tourism, people with venues, to share that information — let people know they’ve got an event coming up, and work with the hotels, motels and restaurants to coordinate everything,” she said.
It is a need that has long been cited by community leaders and one that has grown more pressing within the past eight years with the advent of the “Festival City” brand idea, construction of the El Dorado Conference Center and the launch of the Murphy Arts District.
For the first time, El Dorado will serve as the host city for the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, having been awarded the bid in earlier this year.
The 42nd annual conference is set for next March.
Considered to be Arkansas’s premier tourism event, the AGCT celebrates tourism and highlights its impact as one of the top industries in the Natural State.
The event is expected to bring 500 - 700 people to town.
Hash has asked that local entities assist the city and state with preparations, ranging from event venues, lodging, transportation, dining and entertainment.
When Williams heard that Hash had again discussed the matter with the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission on June 10, she said she saw it as “perfect timing” to act on a project that she had long been considering.
Williams, who has a background in hotel and business management, launched a similar tourism coalition when she lived in Natchez, Mississippi.
“We started in 2007, and they’re still going. They just had a meeting yesterday,” said Williams, who is also a member of Keep El Dorado Beautiful.
“So, when I read the article about what the mayor said in the (News-Times), I thought it would be a chance to do something I had wanted to do here,” she said. “So, I called (Mike Dumas, chamber president and chief executive officer), and he said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’”
Guest speaker for today’s coalition meeting will be Brenda Clark, manager of the El Dorado Welcome Center.
Clark said she will discuss information about the Welcome Center and share statistics on the number of people who visit the facility.
Williams said the UCTC will meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
“There will be no fees or dues to join,” she said. “I like to say we’ve got the cake — MAD Main Street (El Dorado) and the (conference) center —, and now it’s time to come together and get more revenue for our businesses and put the icing on the cake.”
For more information, call the chamber at 870-863-6113.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.