Plans are already being made for Spa-Con to return in 2017 after the multigenre convention's debut exceeded expectations this weekend.
During Monday's Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission meeting, Bill Solleder, special events manager for Visit Hot Springs, which partnered with Garland County Library to present the event, made himself clear: he is already looking forward to next year's Spa-Con.
Solleder told the ad commission that he plans to hold the convention on Sept. 22-24 in 2017. The event far exceeded ticket sales for both weekend and VIP passes, drew crowds from as far as Dallas and had more than 65,000 people talking about it on Facebook -- about 65 times the amount of Fort Smith's cosplay event.
In other business, the commission discussed its marketing efforts in Little Rock. CJRW, the Little Rock advertising agency that handles the Hot Springs' marketing program for the commission, discussed its placement of "Explore Hot Springs" outdoor advertising on different driving routes in Little Rock.
The commission also selected Bob Martorana as its new chairman, and Steve Honeycutt as its new vice chairman. Their roles will last for one year.
Martorana, who has served as the general manager of the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa for seven years, has held a place on the commission for nearly four years. He has worked in the hospitality industry for almost 40 years and is also a member of the commission's finance committee, serves on the board of The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and has been selected to become president of Arkansas Hospitality Association effective in January 2017.
Honeycutt, the five-year general manager of Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, was brought onto the board in February. Like Martorana, he has served in the tourism industry for more than 40 years. He also serves on the executive committee of the chamber.
Local on 09/27/2016