Fayetteville Wins 2004 Governor?s Conference Bid

Fayetteville recently grabbed the winning bid for the 2004 Governor’s Conference. The conference, which focuses on ways to promote tourism in Arkansas, was last held in Fayetteville in 1985.

Allyson Twiggs, manager for the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau will get a head start on the action by hosting a break at this year’s conference in Fort Smith.

Twiggs said one of the bureau goal’s for the 2004 conference is to boost attendance from the usual 600-700 people up to 800. She said they’re going to rely heavily on the city of Fayetteville to get involved.

The conference will take place in the 14,000-SF Town Center, as well as the 5,600-SF UARK Bowl. It will also utilize two rooms from the Fayetteville Radisson, the 4,800-SF Sequoyah Ballroom and 4,550-SF Garland Room, as well as the University of Arkansas’ Center for Continuing Education auditorium, which seats 350 people.

Although she doesn’t know the exact amount, Twiggs said the conference will bring in a sizable amount of revenue for the city.

“It brings lots of people into town to stay at the hotel, eat at the restaurants and see how great Fayetteville is,” she said.