WM A&P revenues remain ‘strong’

WM A&P revenues remain ‘strong’

Big events bring big bucks to the community

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Advertising and Promotion Commission heard financial and tourism reports at the March meeting. City Treasurer Frank Martin and Tourism Director Jim Jackson brought good news to commissioners enjoying the lunch time hospitality at Southland Gaming and Racing.

The January tourism tax was up over last year. The one percent on prepared food and hotel rooms brought in $136,664 in January. Monthly revenue, which reflected holiday season traffic, has climbed over the past few years.

Five years ago the January take was just in the fivefigure range at $92,612.

The difference in the first month of the year 2016 over 2015 showed 23.08 percent jump for the single month with a cash increase of $25,632.

“That is a strong January,” said Chairman Frank Waggener of the doubledigit increase.

Tourism Director Jim Jackson reported impact from a convention of gospel musicians reverberated throughout the city.

The group packed the big meeting room at the Clarion, filled restaurants and hotels and bought bottled water by the case loads to donate to Flint, Michigan.

“It was very successful,” said Jackson. “There were about 600 people there Friday evening. I saw people at Big Star on the west end, talked to someone that said they bought $1,000 worth of water to send to Flint. I saw people on the east end, saw them at Walmart, saw two church buses at the hotel by Applebee’s. They had 800 chairs and it was still standing room only. It was a big, huge event.”

The A& P reimbursed the group for trophies bought locally and advertising that drew participants to the city.

“We agreed to $3,800 in reimbursements,” said Jackson.

The group hopes to return to the Wonder City and has scheduled an appearance A&P

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with the A& P Commission in April according to Jackson.

“They are very interested,” said Jackson. “They came to my office and they’d like to bring it back to West Memphis. They’ll put together the number of contestants and want to be on the agenda for our April meeting, They are planning the second weekend of March next year and using the civic complex because they have luncheons and breakout session on how to promote gospel concerts.”

By John Rech