Visit Rogers, Walmart AMP announce $1 million partnership

Visit Rogers, the marketing and tourism arm of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) in Rogers announced Tuesday (May 28) a new marketing partnership that will support the entertainment venue’s operations and upcoming $13.9 million expansion project.

The 10-year partnership is worth $1 million, according to a news release issued by both organizations.

Visit Rogers will be the sole destination marketing organization (DMO) sponsor at the venue, according to the release, and the east plaza will become the Visit Rogers Plaza. Visit Rogers will also provide content on the Walmart AMP website to help patrons plan their visit to the venue.

Visit Rogers Executive Director J.R. Shaw said the partnership will benefit the community in several ways.

“Our investment in the AMP 20|20 expansion project accelerates its completion, grows event attendance and elevates guest satisfaction for the AMP,” he said in a statement. “This marketing partnership drives awareness of the Walmart AMP and Rogers as a world class tourism and entertainment destination, increasing overnight stays and visitation to Rogers and showcasing quality of life benefits of the entire community.”

The Walmart AMP annually averages 129,000 people attending shows or events during the six- month concert season. Most patrons visit from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Louisiana, while patrons from 38 other states have also attended shows or events at the Walmart AMP.

The news release referenced the Americans for the Arts AEP5 study that found patrons who attended arts and culture events in Benton and Washington counties, including Walmart AMP concerts, spend an average of $35.89 per person per event, excluding the price of the ticket. That is above the national average, according to the release.  Spending by non-locals increases to $71.20 per person per event.

“This partnership is about economic development – entertainment, tourism and community development,” Walton Arts Center President and CEO Peter B. Lane said. The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville owns the Walmart AMP. “Arts organizations and venues are economic drivers in our community, and we are excited to partner with Visit Rogers and introduce patrons to all that this region has to offer.”

TICKETING SERVICES UPDATE, NEW APP
Walmart AMP officials also announced Tuesday an update to ticketing services.

Concertgoers can now get their tickets emailed to them and use a mobile app to purchase tickets and receive day-of-show notifications.

With the addition of print-at-home tickets, the default delivery method for Walmart AMP tickets will now be email, according to a news release. Patrons can still choose to have tickets held at will call at no additional charge or have tickets mailed for a $3 processing fee. Orders with 10 or more tickets will still be mailed or held for pick up at will call.

Patrons who choose email as their ticket delivery method will receive an order confirmation and a PDF event ticket via email from [email protected]. The ticket can be printed at home or saved on a mobile device and scanned at the gate.

The email delivery option will be available for Walmart AMP tickets purchased on or after Tuesday. It is not retroactive for previous purchases. The service will also be available for shows on Walton Arts Center’s upcoming 2019-20 season.

In addition to print-at-home tickets, a new app for both the Walmart AMP and Walton Arts Center is now available for both Apple and Android users. By downloading the Walton Arts Center Tickets app patrons can purchase tickets one week after the shows go on sale and view information about shows at both venues. Patrons who turn on push-notifications will be able to stay updated on the latest weather alerts, show information and special offers.

Search “Walton Arts Center Tickets” to download on the App Store and Google Play.