ROGERS - When the University of Arkansas' sports programs recruit, the focus is normally on attempting to land the best in-state athletes first. The age-old philosophy is, if you can't recruit from your own backyard, then how can you expect to draw from beyond your own borders ?
While the state of Arkansas continues to grow tourism - particularly with the news that attractions such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art are coming on board to complement the already abundant variety of outdoor adventures offered in the Natural State - the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has kicked off a campaign centered around returning to the basics.
On Monday, the second day of the 34 th annual Governor's Conference on Tourism, tagged "Time to Travel: The Road to Arkansas," Parks and Tourism director Joe David Rice announced the resurrection of the "See Arkansas First "campaign.
And if you frequent Arkansas' many highways and byways, it's a safe bet you're going to see that message more than a few times over the next year.
This year's "See Arkansas First"message, intended to encourage Arkansas residents to take advantage of the attractions and activities available in the Natural State, is, quite literally, bigger than ever before. That's because the message will wrap a 40-foot-long, 13-foot-tall RV that will constantly travel the state from north to south, east to west.
"What we're unveiling today is a whole new incarnation," Rice said. "It's a giant, rolling billboard."
From some of the nation's best caves and caverns to a plethora of mountain-biking trails, retreats to crystal-clear lakes and streams for fishing, canoeing or boating with family and friends, the Parks Department is focusing on recruiting locally just as much as regionally and nationally. And its message is not limited to outdoor attractions.
"Arkansas is known as the Natural State because it's always had such a variety of natural attractions and destinations," Rice said. "But we also look at the Natural State as being a natural for arts, theater, museums and other draws."
The rolling billboard is covered with the "See Arkansas First"message, as well as large photos of canoeists, bluffs, state parks, landmarks in Eureka Springs and other recognizable communities and more. From May through August, the RV will be stocked with vacation information and will make a long list of stops for live radio remote broadcasts to spread the word. River City RV has partnered with the Parks Department on the promotion, as has Sunrise Honda, which will give away a 2008 VT 1300 motorcycle dressed out for touring. Lewis and Clark Outfitters will provide outdoor equipment, including a tent, a kayak, a mountain bike and camping stoves.
While the RV, which will cost the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism an estimated $ 2, 000 plus fuel per month, gets prepared for its nonstop road trip, the Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism will enter its third and final frame today. Among the highlights today will be an address called "Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Creating a Sense of Place," by the museum's executive director, Bob Workman; a "License to Sell Arkansas"lecture by Doug Price, senior vice president of Destination Marketing Association International; "Harvesting Travel Dollars Through Agrotourism"by Jane Eckert, president of AgriMarketing; and "The Starbucks Way: Creating the Ultimate Customer Experience"by Joseph Michelli.
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