Little Rock Convention Visitors Bureau Unveils New Advertising Campaign In Conjunction With 50th Anniversary

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) publicly unveiled a new advertising campaign at a press event.

Little Rock, Ark (February 27, 2020) — Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) publicly unveiled a new advertising campaign at a press event Thursday, February 27 at 2 p.m. at the city’s Statehouse Convention Center. Also presented were the LRCVB’s 2019 annual report featuring industry record highs, and LRCVB 50thanniversary community events and programming scheduled for May 2020.

“As Arkansas’s #1 travel destination, Little Rock has experienced tremendous growth in both our leisure travel and convention sectors,” said LRCVB President & CEO Gretchen Hall. “This new advertising campaign builds on that momentum and further elevates our position of showcasing all that Little Rock has to offer,” she added. The campaign is a fresh approach on the widely popular campaign of the 1990s; a local favorite — Big On Little Rock. The re-imagined version is designed to appeal to people in multiple national target markets, as well as local and in-state markets. Based on LRCVB research, top out-of-state markets include Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Memphis, Nashville, Shreveport, Kansas City and Chicago. Paid media begins running in those markets, as well as in Arkansas, March 1.

The campaign launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of the creation of the city’s Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Commission, the governing body of LRCVB. Since 1970, the bureau has served as the official destination marketing organization of Little Rock. It is charged with improving the quality of life and the local economy by bringing visitors, meetings, conventions and events to the city; responsibly managing public funds in its charge; efficiently operating the buildings it manages; and serving customers, visitors and delegates with courtesy, knowledge and skill. LRCVB manages the Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center, River Market (Ottenheimer Hall, First Security Amphitheater and open-air pavilions) and multiple parking facilities.

LRCVB’s actual anniversary date is May 4. A series of special tourism-related events and programming is scheduled May 3-10, concurrently during the 2020 National Travel & Tourism Week. Headliner anniversary events include:

  • May 4: Industry Wide Community Service Projects Day – such as: Painting Murals, Park & Trail Clean Ups
  • May 5: Wall of Honor for those who have greatly contributed to the organizational success
  • May 6: Clinton Speaker Series with a panel highlighting the history and impact of Little Rock A&P Commission & LRCVB
  • May 7: Host “Big Downtown Thursday” throwback party

2019 was a significant year for Little Rock travel and tourism. Pulaski County accounts for 25% of total travel expenditures in Arkansas, and 20% of the state’s total travel-related employment. Little Rock is the county’s largest DMA (designated market area). Download full annual report here.

Pulaski County Statistics:

  • $1.8 Billion travel spending generated
  • $108 Million local and state taxes generated
  • 13,600 travel-related employment

(Source: 2018 Arkansas Tourism Economic Impact Report)

2019 Key Highlights:

  • 542 events held at LRCVB managed facilities
    ◦ 621,989 total attendees
  • $14.9 Million in A&P prepared food and lodging tax collections (up 4.19% over 2018)
  • 374 future meetings secured with an estimated $81.5 million direct spending impact
  • 30 travel journalists hosted
  • 10,500+ fan and follower growth on social media

Little Rock Accolades:

  • Top 12 Places to Live – Outside Magazine
  • 10 U.S. Cities to Watch in 2020 – Worth Magazine
  • Next Hottest Foodie Destination – Foodie Flashpacker
  • 8 Awesomely Diverse U.S. Cities – Matador Network
  • Best Place to Live in Each U.S. State – Business Insider
  • #7 of “America’s Top 10 Small Cities for Prosperity” – Resonance Consultancy

For more information about LRCVB visit here.

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