EUREKA SPRINGS -- Whether local non-profits and other community-oriented groups should have free access to the Auditorium was on the City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC) agenda again at its August meeting

Executive Director Jim Williams forwarded a request from Main Stage Creative Community Center Executive Director Gary Andrews asking the CAPC to allow Main Stage to use the Auditorium Gem for its after school classes from Sept. 8 through Nov. 7.

How to pay for free services?

Williams said the problem was Main Stage could not pay for use of the facility and wanted the CAPC to donate them the space.

Long-time political activist and documentarian Trella Laughlin had appeared before the commission at its July 23 meeting to urge a series of sweeping changes in how the CAPC runs the Auditorium.

One of Laughlin's main points was the Aud should be made available for use free of charge to 501(c)3 non-profit groups.

Low-cost use possible

Williams said while he had worked out a low-cost arrangement with Main Stage for its use of the Aud during its summer program, the building was used only during normal business hours, so no extra staffing was needed, but even so, the CAPC had had to charge Main Stage $500.

Williams added, "While I appreciate what they're doing, I think we walk on a slippery slope if we let someone use the Aud for free. We open ourselves up to everybody using it for free."

Commissioner Alvin Byrd pointed out Main Stage is a "community" program for kids, unlike some groups which have wanted to use the Aud for free.

Commissioner Joyce Zeller replied the commission had so far been "pretty firm" about reimbursement of some kind for any use of the facility.

Trading spaces?

Following some discussion of the possibility of trading use of Aud space for space in the new Main Stage theater, now under construction, the commission decided to postpone further discussion until its mid-year budget review on Aug. 20, when it will also discuss Laughlin's proposals.

Big travel shows

Williams asked the commission to approve CAPC participation in a collaborative effort with the city's Group Travel Co-Op for representation at a series of shows put on regionally by GLAMER, the Groups Leaders of America.

The Group Travel Co-Op consists of a large group of local businesses working together to find ways to bring group tourism to Eureka. Its membership includes Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, Best Western Eureka Inn, Pine Mountain Theater, Ozark Mountain Hoedown, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Cosmic Cavern, The New Great Passion Play, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Crescent Hotel, Gavioli Chapel, Basin Park Hotel, Swiss Holiday Rodeway Inn, Bavarian Inn, Thorncrown Chapel, Quality Inn, the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and the CAPC.

GLAMER worthwhile investment

GLAMER is the largest and most influential senior group travel organization nationwide. GLAMER's membership includes senior club leaders and activity directors in organizations such as AARP chapters, senior centers, church groups, retirement villages, corporate and federal retirement groups, churches, Red Hat organizations and others.

It puts on nationwide tourism shows which attract travel organizers, who in turn direct their group travel packages toward sites represented at the shows.

The arrangement would give Eureka Springs the opportunity to be present at 10 shows, ranging from Louisville, New Orleans, Kansas City, Memphis, Dallas and Houston, to Memphis, Nashville, Oklahoma City and St. Louis. Eureka would have a vendor table at all shows, and a video on Eureka would be shown at the other 57 shows nationwide where CAPC representatives do not attend. Other benefits were mentioned.

The CAPC would be committed to $10,000, with the Co-op contributing $7,000.

Byrd wants fair split

Byrd asked why the cost wasn't split equally, pointing out the request seemed very "last minute" to him.

Williams said the Co-op's budget was substantially smaller than the CAPC's, but that even if the CAPC had to foot the entire bill, the opportunity for exposure to group travel agents would make the investment worthwhile.

Byrd strongly defended his feeling the fee should be split equally between the CAPC and the Co-op.

Zeller said she felt the Co-op was "still getting its act together" and suggested the commission "cut them some slack."

She added that for years Eureka has lacked a "unified presence" in making the city appear a serious tourist destination, and she felt the collaboration with the Co-op in the GLAMER shows would accomplish that goal.

Go for it, Zeller says

"I think we should take the jump and see where it's going," she said.

The commission agreed to pay the initial $4,000 down-payment on the GLAMER shows project, with Williams agreeing to discuss a more equitable split of the remaining amount with the Co-op.