West Memphis awarded 2018 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism

West Memphis awarded 2018 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism

City receives nod following successful 2012 showing

ralphhardin@gmail.com The Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism is a pretty big deal.

The event brings hundreds of city, county and state officials from all over Arkansas to the host city, giving the community not only a boost from increased hotel, restaurant and retail revenues, but also an invaluable opportunity to put its best foot forward in showcasing the best the city has to offer.

In 2012, West Memphis played host to the conference, and typically, once a city has hosted the conference, one would expect it to be a while before an opportunity to repeat presents itself.

For West Memphis, it will only be six years.

The 2018 Conference on Tourism was originally awarded to the City of Fort Smith, however, those plans were changed, according to Ron Maxwell, Arkansas Deputy Director of Tourism.

“I am happy to inform you that the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission unanimously voted last Thursday to accept your generous offer to move the 2018 annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism to West Memphis,” Maxwell informed West Memphis Director of Tourism Jim Jackson in September. “We appreciate you working with us on this after it was decided that the City of Fort Smith, the original host for 2018, would rather delay their hosting of the conference until 2020.”

When the opportunity knocked, Jackson was quick to open the door.

“We are very excited to have been awarded the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Tourism,” said Jackson after accepting the chance to host the conference so soon after the 2012 event. “Lots more details to come.”

“We look forward to returning to West Memphis and will begin the process of finalizing dates, hosting venue and corresponding details very soon,” said Maxwell.

The 2017 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism will take place March 12-14, in Little Rock.

By Ralph Hardin