Commissioners Grant Money For Bentonville Events

BENTONVILLE -- The Advertising and Promotion Commission approved giving nearly $22,000 to 11 events Thursday that should bring tourism dollars to the city.

The commission grants money three times a year -- in March, July and October -- to applicants whose events draw people to Bentonville from outside a 50-mile radius, said Kalene Griffith, Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau president.

At A Glance

Events

The Advertising and Promotion Commission allots $100,000 a year to give to events showing promise of bringing tourism dollars to the city. There was $60,550 granted before Thursday’s meeting, where another $21,960 was awarded.

Source: Staff Report

"We're investing in events that will invest back into our community," she said.

The money comes from a 2 percent tax on hotel and motel rooms and a 1 percent tax on restaurants and prepared food.

The largest amount awarded was $5,000 to Junk Brands and CrossFit NWA. The two will collaborate to host a three-day CrossFit competition in August estimated to bring 700 competitors, according to their application.

The event could bring between 500 to 700 visitors from Benton County and another 700 to 1,000 outside of a 100-mile radius. Organizers estimate 200 hotel rooms will be used, according to the application.

"It's a very large event, very costly event so we're hoping to get help wherever we can," said Beau Barrett with Junk Brands.

The tentative budget is $91,500, according to the application. The awarded money will be used for venue costs.

It will be the first year for the event. Most first-year events don't make money and need the assistance more than established events, Griffith said.

The Great American Conference Tennis Championship was awarded $3,500 for the bid fee.

The championship is the post-season events for an NCAA Division II conference of Arkansas and Oklahoma schools, according to the event application.

The conference brings 10 teams to the city as well as spectators, according to the document.

4 Corners Elite Tournaments was awarded $3,150 to assist with gym, custodian and supervisor fees for a basketball tournament. The tournament will be held April 5 and 6 at the high school.

Jeremy Scott with 4 Corners Elite Tournaments said he expects 50 to 60 teams to participate but could see the event eventually bringing in 75 to 80 teams from nearby states.

"They stay and eat all weekend," he said. "It's a pretty good deal for the community."

Bentonville Public Schools was awarded $2,500 to help host the state soccer tournament May 15 to 17.

The event could bring 1,000 visitors from Benton County and another 2,000 from outside a 100-mile radius, according to the event application.

The American Strongman also received $2,500.

The event will draw 20 to 30 competitors. Last year it had about 100 spectators, said Jennifer Snow, speaking on behalf of American Strongman Corp.

Commissioners approved $2,400 for the United Sports Specialty Association baseball 9AA tournament and $1,500 for the baseball 13AA tournament.

Joe Wilson Productions was awarded $750 to help with hosting NWA Natural Championships. It is the only natural bodybuilding and bikini competition for drug-free athletes in Arkansas, according to the application.

The event will be June 21 at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School.

Dairy Days is scheduled for June 20 to June 22. Commissioners approved $400 for the dairy show for children in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The Arkansas State Crit bike race requested $1,500 but was given $260. This year's race will be Sept. 15 at Memorial Park.

Last year's race filled seven hotel rooms, according bureau documents.

Commissioners also approved doing in-kind printing work for the Bentonville Stroll Downtown Walking Tour. The event is organized by the Benton County Historical Society and Bentonville Library Foundation.

They requested $690 to create brochures, which will serve as tickets, a map, a home descriptor and sponsor advertising, according to the event application.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10 in downtown. The walking tour will feature the "diverse architectural history," according to the application.

NWA Fitness and Health Festival was the only event that didn't receive assistance. Organizers asked for $1,500.

The event is local and hasn't filled lodging rooms, according to notes in bureau documents.

The number of hotel rooms an event fills is one criteria that considered when deciding who to give money to, Griffith said. Commissioners and bureau staff also look at how many participants the event will have and how many spectators it may bring in.

Community and local events typically don't receive money starting out, but if it grows to where people are coming in from other states, then they can submit another application, Griffith said.

Commissioners also approved a $4,000 request from The Antique Toy Collectors of America to help with hosting its convention in Bentonville in May 2015. That money will come from next year's budget, commissioners said.

NW News on 03/21/2014

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