LITTLE ROCK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU RELEASES 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 1, 2024) – The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) has released its 2023 annual report, reflecting the city’s performance as a leisure and convention destination and the LRCVB’s management of facilities. It also includes a review of current trends and future opportunities.

The 2% Little Rock Advertising & Promotion (A&P) tax collections rose to $18.37 million, an 8.38% increase over 2022 and a 53.08% jump from 2020 (the lowest in LRCVB history.)

The report details the sales team's success in attending a record number of regional and national trade shows, resulting in more than 227 future event bookings.

Robinson Center bested last year’s record number for facility user days, recording 263 with a total attendance of 194,972. This was facilitated in part by enhanced marketing activities. The Statehouse Convention Center received continued capital improvements overseen by the Bureau’s facility operations division.

The report includes a review of current trends in the travel industry and how they are impacting Little Rock, as well as the Bureau's future plans.

“Our key performance indicators show a continued path forward,” said LRCVB President and CEO Gina Gemberling. “The continued execution of our Tourism Master Plan is yielding the results we desire and allowing the LRCVB to capitalize on opportunity while enjoying steady growth.”

The tourism economy was shaken by a devastating tornado in 2023, but the year wasn’t without highlights. The opening of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and a completely new web platform for www.LittleRock.com gave the LRCVB new opportunities to attract visitors. The upcoming total solar eclipse will shape the future tourism economy for Little Rock and will be a spotlight moment for our hospitality industry.

The full annual report can be downloaded at: https://www.littlerock.com/about/reports-and-strategic-plan/annual-reports/. 2023 also marked the first year of the LRCVB’s implementation of its Tourism Master Plan, which can be downloaded at https://www.littlerock.com/about/reports-and-strategic-plan/. This plan strategically guides the operation of the LRCVB in its mission and activities.

2023 Key Highlights:

• 450 events held at LRCVB-managed facilities (Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center, River Market Ottenheimer - Market Hall and outdoor pavilions, First Security Amphitheater)

• 263 record-breaking Robinson Center facility user days – up by one from 2022

• 249,513 Statehouse Convention Center total attendance – down 7.15% from 2022

• 227 future meetings secured with an estimated $48 million in direct spending impact

• $124.6 million in local and state tax revenue generation

• $18.37 million in Advertising & Promotion prepared foods and lodging tax collections – up 8.38% from 2022

• 16,500+ fan and follower growth on social media

• 1.64 million website page views

• 24 Travel writers hosted/assisted

• 188 total media stories and articles

About the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Little Rock, charged with marketing and selling the city as a meeting, sports and leisure travel destination. The LRCVB also manages the Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center, River Market and multiple parking facilities. For more information, visit www.littlerock.com.