Advertising & Promotion Commission — Fayetteville, AR
Date: 2026-06-15
Time: 14:00

Fayetteville Advertising and
 Promotion Commission
 June 15, 2026

 Location: Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain Street


 Commissioners: Elvis Moya, Chair, Tourism & Hospitality Representative
 Katherine Kinney, Tourism & Hospitality Representative
 Elliot Hunt, Tourism & Hospitality Representative
 Megan Tyree, Tourism & Hospitality Representative Sterling
 Hamilton, Commissioner at-large
 Bob Stafford, City Council Representative
 Mike Wiederkehr, City Council Representative

 Staff: Ryan Hauck, CEO


 Agenda

I. Call to order at 2:00p.m., Chair Elvis Moya

II. Administration
 A. Additions or changes to the agenda may be added upon request from a
 majority of the commissioners, Chair Elvis Moya

 B. Review and approval of April meeting minutes, Chair Elvis Moya


III. Reports

 A. CEO Report, CEO Ryan Hauck. An executive overview of the previous month

 B. Financial Report, Director of Finance, Gretchen Hunt

 C. Quarterly Marketing and Communications Report and new Campaign discussion,
 VP of Marketing and Communications Brannon Pack

 D. Community Incentive Fund Recipients YTD, CEO Ryan Hauck

 E. Favoriteville Fund Legal Review, Philip Elmore, QG&T, A&P Commission Legal Counsel


V. New Business

 A. Discuss and Vote. Proposal to Optimize Cash Holdings, Director of Finance Gretchen Hunt.
 Memo included.



VI. Good of the Order/ Adjournment, Chair Moya and CEO Hauck
Fayetteville A&P Commission Meeting Minutes, April 27, 2026

Fayetteville Town Center

Commissioners Present: Chair Moya, Commissioners Kinney, Hunt, Tyree, Hamilton,
Stafford and Wiederkehr

Absent: None

Staff Present: CEO Ryan Hauck

I. Chair Moya called the meeting to order at 2 pm

II. Administration

 A. New commissioner Megan Tyree introduced herself.

 B. CEO Hauck noted the July 4 ﬁreworks memo included Chair Moya’s support.

 C. Motion to approve March 16th meeting minutes was made by Commissioner
 Kinney and seconded by Commissioner Stafford and was approved unanimously.

 D. Commissioners set an all-day retreat for October 12th.

III. Reports

 A. Meet the Team – CEO Ryan Hauck

 CEO Hauck introduced staff members Steve Harrelson, Julie Pennington, and Tyler
 Wilson.

 B. CEO Report

 CEO Hauck reported updates on UA Athletics, Trailgating, the US Pro Cup,
 paid media, and PR results.

 He also noted updates on Favoriteville, America’s 250, Restaurant Week,
 tourism outreach, Visitors Center traffic, staff recognitions, and Town Center
 bookings.

 C. Financial Report – CEO Hauck

 CEO Hauck reported March ﬁnancials were in good order and above the seasonally
 adjusted budget.

 In response to a question from Chair Moya, Director of Finance Gretchen Hunt said
 the E-Bikes are listed under Fixed Assets.

IV. Old Business
 A. Discuss and Vote. Financial Revision Proposal from Commission Hamilton.

 Commissioner Hamilton did not have a revised proposal. Commissioner
 Wiederkehr offered this as a motion: The city has and has always had full access to
 review or audit A&P commission ﬁnancial records at any time. Commissioner
 Stafford made this motion, Commissioner Kinney seconded, and it was approved
 unanimously.

V. New Business

 A. Discussion and Vote. Roof replacement for Experience Fayetteville, 21 S Block
 Avenue.

 CEO Hauck said the roof needs replacement and staff recommended Harness
 Rooﬁng.

 Hauck said an engineer will review building cracks and staff will report back.

 In response to questions, Hauck said the building is about 5,400 square feet and the
 roof warranty is 15 years. Commissioner Stafford moved to approve the allocation of
 $65,950.00 for the replacement of the roof at Experience Fayetteville’s office and
 Visitors Center and authorize CEO Ryan Hauck to enter into an agreement with
 Harness Rooﬁng, Inc. to complete the project as outlined in their proposal.
 Commissioner Hunt seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
 Hauck said he would return to the commission if costs exceed this amount.

 B. Discussion and Vote. Favoriteville Fund Application – Prairie Street Block Party -
 $11,656.80 Request, Commissioner Hamilton

 Commissioner Hamilton said the request would cover any gap between
 event revenue and expenses.

 The Favoriteville Fund balance was reported at $45,000.

 CEO Hauck noted that this event had also received an additional $2,000
 Community Incentive Fund award. Commissioner Hamilton made a
 motion to guarantee up to $11,656.80 should the difference in their cost
 and revenue warrant it. Commissioner Stafford seconded. The motion
 passed unanimously.

 C. Discussion and Vote. Favoriteville Fund Application – TougeCon -
 $5,000 Request, Commissioner Hamilton

 Organizer Caleb Yam who was present described TougeCon as a regional
 Japanese car event drawing attendees from multiple states.
 Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to guarantee $5,000 of the net
 income of Tougecon 2026 and this was seconded by Commissioner
 Hunt. CEO Hauck noted payment is unlikely based on last year’s
 income. It passed unanimously.

 D. Vote. TheatreSquared 2026 Capital Campaign Installment. CEO Ryan
 Hauck. Memo and invoice included.

 Commissioner Hunt made the motion to approve the allocation of
 $200,000 for the TheatreSquared 2026 Capital Campaign Installment,
 which was seconded by Commissioner Stafford. It was approved
 unanimously.

 E. Discussion and Vote. 4th of July Fireworks. Chair Moya , Memo
 included.

 Chair Moya and CEO Hauck recommended utilizing the Favoriteville Fund.

 Guests Brian Crowne and Todd Martin spoke in support.

 Commissioners discussed funding, sponsors, show length, and police
 detail, noting they did not want to utilize the Favoriteville Fund to pay for
 all of this event.

 Chair Moya made a motion to approve the allocation of $30,000 from the
 operating budget of EF with no more than $5,000 coming from the
 Favoriteville Fund for firework celebration on July 4th. Hamilton seconded
 it. It was approved unanimously.

VI. Good of the Order/ Adjournment, Chair Moya and CEO Hauck

The Q1 report from Ozark Folkways was noted.

Commissioner Stafford moved to adjourn, Commissioner Kinney seconded, and it was
approved unanimously. The meeting ended at 3:41 p.m.
CEO Update for June 2026

Admin

 • A250 Celebrations Update
 • Roof replacement project complete at Experience Fayetteville




Visitor Center

 • 1,316 visitors in May, including guests from Tokyo and Ireland.
 • Sales: $3,489 Ale Trail: 5 completed passports.
 • Events of note: Saturday Farmer’s Markets, Strawberry Festival, U of A
 Graduation

Destination Services

 • May 5th Group Tour with First Security Golden Bank Club
 • Julie conducted a Fayetteville familiarization tour with Arkansas Welcome Centers
 team members
 • Worked with Dell to submit to SCMA RFP to host in 2027
 • Julie working with A&M Railroad on a variety of group tours



Experience Fayetteville Sales

 • Due to professional and other travel, this report is delayed.



Fayetteville Town Center

FTC Bookings & Operations

 • 26 bookings completed in May; 13 confirmed for June
 • Event Execution: 26 events held with total attendance of more than 10K

FTC Accomplishments

 o Hosted Arkansas Apartment Association Tradeshow, first time in NWA
 o Secured Little Craft Show agreement for Q4
 o Onboarding new staffer, Mason Rios, Event Services Coordinator I

FTC Monthly Sales Report
FTC Activity: 5 incoming calls | 30 outgoing | 98 emails | 7 meetings

FTC Pipeline:

 • 12 contracts in negotiation; 27 tentative/hold.
 • Prospective value of contracts: $623K
 • 4 key opportunities to close next month.

FTC Sales Priorities:

 • 2027 rebookings; turning holds into definites



Marketing & Communications

 o Ryan hosted a U.S. Pro Cup feature & interview for The American Dream TV show
 o Contracted Fayetteville-based BlkElk Media for our next Leisure Campaign.
 o With VERB, AM Group, and Fayetteville Town Center, hosted complimentary Food
 & Beverage Marketing Essentials Workshops for Fayetteville restaurants and bars,
 with about 25 partners participating.
 o Contracted Crafty Lab Films for a monthlong MICE content shoot showcasing
 Fayetteville as a premier, walkable meetings and events destination.
 o Hosted foodie influencer couple, Couple in the Kitchen, to create content promoting
 Restaurant Week.
 o Hosted KC-based travel influencer, Brenda Cortes, to showcase Fayetteville as a
 girls’ getaway destination from KC through Spanish-language content with English
 subtitles.
 o Mobile Visitors Center:
 o Prairie Street Block Party, engaging about 3,000 attendees and 45 vendors.
 o Event expo on the Upper Ramble during the Ride Your Damn Bike Festival.
 o VERB’s paid media efforts in May drove a 54% increase in total partner referrals
 over April and 143% more clicks to the F&B page. New segmented ad groups
 highlighted Experience Fayetteville’s destination pillars: Outdoor Recreation, Arts &
 Culture, Hospitality, U of A, and Nature.
 o Zartico reported that 75% of May visitors came from out of state, with Dallas leading
 all out-of-state markets in visitors and spending.
 o AM Group provided support for visiting writers, including Suzanne Corbett and
 Steven Lindsey, while proactive outreach highlighted seasonal travel, culinary
 tourism, community events, and Pride Month. May efforts generated 15 press
 mentions, 395.6M audience reach, and 724k in AVE.
 o ExperienceFayetteville.com received about 107,000 sessions in May,
 o up 6% from April and 26% from last May. Spikes during Strawberry Festival
 weekend
 o New visitors made up 88% of sessions.
 o Paid social drove 30% of traffic, followed by organic search at 24%.
 o Top user locations were Fayetteville, Dallas, and Oklahoma City,
 o 78% of sessions were on mobile.
 o Top page this month was the Favoriteville landing page, followed by the
 Calendar and Event Detail pages.
 o Website Performance Report | May – Pixel Perfect
 o Paid, Earned, and Social Media Report | May – VERB
 o Media Report | May – AM Group



Funding Request: 2028 Glass in Flight, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks



2026 Marketing and Sales Plan:

 • Physical copy to each commissioner, Ryan to present



Hotel, Motel Restaurant, Bars & Attraction News:

 • Cable Car Pizza to reopen (1830 N. College Avenue, formerly Pestos by Lance)
 • Goat Lab Red, (1114 N. Garland Avenue) a restaurant and Brew Pub has closed
 • Big Daddy’s Burgers (388 Nelson Hackett Blvd) is now open
 • Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream to open mid-June (2345 N College Ave.)
 • Gusano’s Pizzeria to open a second location this fall (3931 N. Shiloh Drive,
 Nelsons Crossing Shopping Center)


Upcoming

 • NWA Pride 2026, June 21-28th, Come see Vanny & EF team at the NWA Pride
 Festival, June 27th at the Upper Ramble.

 • A250 Celebrations:
 o July 2nd – Gulley Park Summer Concert Series, A250 Recognition
 o July 3rd – Fayetteville Sound Bites Featuring Bite NWA at the Upper Ramble,
 presented by DFC
 o July 4th – Fireworks at the NWA Mall, presented by Experience Fayetteville
Exhibition: Glass in Flight
Artist: Alex Heveri
Visuals: https://www.glassinﬂight.com/
Previous Exhibition Sites:
 • Tucson Botanical Gardens
 • Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
 • Reiman Gardens
 • Houston Botanic Garden
 • Harry P. Leu Gardens
 • Como Zoo Conservatory
 • Huntsville Botanical Garden
 • Atlanta Botanical Garden
 • Flamingo Gardens
 • San Antonio Zoo
Proposal: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks proposes a 6-month public art
installation of "Glass in Flight" planned for 2028. The work will be sited at the Garden,
with the opportunity for Experience Fayetteville and the City of Fayetteville to site
work(s), in coordination with the artist. Pre- and post-exhibition celebrations possible,
as mutually agreed to by BGO and supporting entities.
Organizer: BGO will be the coordinating entity, working with the artist on installation,
maintenance, etc.
Owner: Artist retains ownership
Purpose: The installation is intended to enhance visitor experience, commemorate
Fayetteville's 200th birthday, spotlight key amenities across the city and within the
Garden.
Impact: Project is expected to engage BGO’s visitors (~100k annually, ~50k during 6-month
span) and extend into broader citywide tourism audiences.
Estimated project timeline: 6 months (to be determined in collaboration with
Experience Fayetteville, City of Fayetteville, and artist)
Estimated total project cost: $140,000 (includes BGO liability insurance - 1MM
limit, plus coverage for the works over a 6-month span) Funding strategy to include a
combination of donor and public partnership support.
  Memo
 To: Ryan Hauck, CEO, Experience Fayetteville
 Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commissioners
 From: Gretchen Hunt, Director of Finance, Experience Fayetteville

Date: June 10, 2026

 Re: Financial Statements – May 2026




This packet contains Experience Fayetteville Financial Statements for the month ended
May 31, 2026.

The following reports are included in the packet:

  Summary P&L Financials for month ended May 31, 2026
  Balance Sheet for month ended May 31, 2026

Target Budget May – 42%

Total Revenue YTD: $ 2,502,269 or 38.5%
 Tax Receipts - $2,171,253 or 39.7%
 Town Center - $297,705 or 35.0%
 Other - $33,312

Total Operating Expenditure YTD: $2,484,530 or 40.1%
 EF Main - $2,074,504
 Town Center - $410,026

HMR tax – YTD May Collections (April activity) are 1% below the seasonally adjusted
budget.

Operating Net Income/(Loss) is $(122,359) year to date.

This income figure is a greater loss than we have seen in prior months of 2026.
Depreciation expense figures were received from the auditors in May and entered for
all 5 months of 2026 – a total expense through May of $147,537. In 2025 there was a
significant increase in assets, and therefore depreciation expense, with about $1M of
new capital projects for the year. The depreciation expense will be a monthly cost for
the remainder of the year.
 PRELIMINARY DATA
 2026 Monthly A&P Tax Collections**
 $398,610 -1.64%

 May Collections $408,447 10.61%
 (April Activity)
 $401,088$436,249 -3.15%
 12.44%
 $56,106 + $386,187 $416,573 $467,061 -4.31%
 4.22%
 Lodging Restaurant
 $410,352 $460,887 -6.09%
 -1.01%
 $18,594
 Prior Dues Collected $444,020 0.89%

 $419,784 2.09%

 $460,887 $394,928 1.89%
 Total HMR Collected
 $453,844 11.86%

 $476,619 3.24%
 Previous YTD (May) HMR A&P Tax Collection Totals
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 $546,090 24.04%
$1,781,987 $2,025,005 $2,036,619 $2,076,220 $2,171,254
 $473,720 9.79%
20.80% 13.64% 0.57% 1.94% 4.58% % change
 from
 Change over previous year 2025

 **This represents half of total HMR tax collections. The other half goes to Fayetteville Department of Parks, Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs
Modified Accrual Fayetteville A and P Commission
 Statement of Budget, Revenue and Expense
 Year-to-Date @ May 31, 2026


 CONSOLIDATED
 Year-to-Date
 Over/(Under)
 Actual Budget % of Budget
 Budget
 Revenue
 Hotel, Motel, Restaurant Taxes Revenue 2,171,253 5,466,542 (3,295,289) 39.7%
 Rental Revenue 281,774 784,000 (502,226) 35.9%
 Event Revenue 1,808 9,500 (7,692) 19.0%
 Visitor Center Store Revenue 8,927 44,000 (35,073) 20.3%
 Parking Revenue 14,123 58,000 (43,877) 24.3%
 Grant/Other Revenue 122 81,800 (81,678) 0.1%
 Interest and Investment Revenue 24,263 50,100 (25,837) 48.4%
 Total Revenue 2,502,269 6,493,942 (3,991,673) 38.5%

 Expenses
 Operating Expenses
 Rental Expenses 23,091 127,000 (103,909) 18.2%
 Event Expenses 27,076 46,000 (18,924) 58.9%
 Visitor Center 9,627 40,575 (30,948) 23.7%
 Personnel 728,492 2,096,260 (1,367,768) 34.8%
 Sales & Marketing 719,231 1,888,636 (1,169,405) 38.1%
 Office and Administrative 355,822 558,768 (202,946) 63.7%
 Bond Payments 290,750 700,500 (409,750) 41.5%
 Disaster Contingency 10,000 (10,000) 0.0%
 COF Energy Improvement Repayment 20,000 (20,000) 0.0%
 Contribution to Capital Reserves - 100,000 (100,000) 0.0%
 Other Tourism Support - Community, Art Court, DFC 130,440 412,140 (281,700) 31.6%
 TheatreSquared Contribution 200,000 200,000 - 100.0%
 Total Operating Expenses 2,484,530 6,199,879 (3,715,349) 40.1%


 Net Operating Income/(Loss) 17,739 294,063 (276,323) 0.0%

 Other Income
 Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments 7,438 0.0%
 Other Expenses
 FFE & Improvements - 240,000 (240,000) 0.0%
 Depreciation Expense 147,537 0.0%
 Cost of Goods Sold - 0.0%

 Net Income/(Loss) (without CX Grants) (122,359) 54,063 (183,860) -226.3%
Modified Accrual Fayetteville A and P Commission
 Statement of Budget, Revenue and Expense
 Year-to-Date @ May 31, 2026


 Experience Fayetteville
 Year-to-Date
 Over/(Under)
 Actual Budget % of Budget
 Budget
 Revenue
 Hotel, Motel, Restaurant Taxes Revenue 2,171,253 5,466,542 (3,295,289) 39.7%
 Visitor Center Store Revenue 8,927 44,000 (35,073) 20.3%
 Grant & Other Revenue 122 81,800 (81,678) 0.1%
 Interest and Investment Revenue 24,234 50,000 (25,766) 48.5%
 Total Revenue 2,204,535 5,642,342 (3,437,807) 39.1%

 Expenses
 Operating Expenses
 Event Expenses 26,500 44,000 (17,500) 60.2%
 Visitor Center 9,627 40,575 (30,948) 23.7%
 Personnel 467,769 1,240,876 (773,107) 37.7%
 Sales & Marketing 717,485 1,866,136 (1,148,651) 38.4%
 Office and Administrative 231,932 525,995 (294,063) 44.1%
 Bond Payments 290,750 700,500 (409,750) 41.5%
 Disaster Contingency 10,000 (10,000) 0.0%
 COF Energy Improvement Repayment 20,000 (20,000) 0.0%
 Contribution to Capital Reserve - 100,000 (100,000) 0.0%
 Other Tourism Support - Community, Art Court, DFC 130,440 412,140 (281,700) 31.6%
 TheatreSquared Contribution 200,000 200,000 - 0.0%
 Total Operating Expenses 2,074,504 5,160,222 (3,085,718) 40.2%


 Net Income/(Loss) Before Other Revenue and Expenses 130,031 482,120 (352,089) 27.0%

 Other Income
 Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments 7,438 - 7,438 0.0%
 Total Other Income 7,438
 Other Expenses
 FFE & Improvements - 70,000 (70,000) 0.0%
 Depreciation Expense 56,645

 Net Income/(Loss) 80,825 412,120 (338,734) 19.6%
Modified Accrual Fayetteville A and P Commission
 Statement of Budget, Revenue and Expense
 Year-to-Date @ May 31, 2026

 Town Center
 Year-to-Date
 Over/(Under)
 Actual Budget % of Budget
 Budget
 Revenue
 Rental Revenue 281,774 784,000 (502,226) 35.9%
 Event Revenue 1,808 9,500 (7,692) 19.0%
 Parking Revenue 14,123 58,000 (43,877) 24.3%
 Interest and Investment Revenue 29 100 (71) 29.3%
 Total Revenue 297,734 851,600 (553,866) 35.0%


 Expenses
 Operating Expenses
 Rental Expenses 23,091 127,000 (103,909) 18.2%
 Event Expenses 576 2,000 (1,424) 28.8%
 Personnel 260,723 855,384 (594,661) 30.5%
 Sales & Marketing 1,746 22,500 (20,754) 7.8%
 Technology 14,818 15,750 (932) 94.1%
 Facilities 100,316 217,500 (117,184) 46.1%
 Office and Administrative 8,756 93,586 (84,830) 9.4%
 Total Operating Expenses 410,026 1,333,720 (923,694) 30.7%


 Net Income/(Loss) Before Other Revenue and Expenses (112,292) (482,120) 369,828 23.3%


 Other Expenses
 FFE & Improvements - 170,000 (170,000) 100.0%
 Depreciation Expense 90,892 0.0%
 Total Other Expenses 90,892 170,000 (79,108)
 Bad Debt Expense -
 Net Income/(Loss) (203,184) (652,120) 448,936 31.2%
 Fayetteville A&P Commission
 Balance Sheet
 As of May 31, 2026
ASSETS
  Current Assets
 Cash 3,800,699
 Investments 1,317,976
 Accounts Receivable 659,666
 Prepaid Expenses 25,349
 Deposits 40,469
 Inventory Asset 13,159
  Total Current Assets 5,857,318

  Other Assets
 Capital Assets
 Furniture & Fixtures 454,901
 Equipment 767,716
 EF/CVB Building 940,410
 EF/CVB Land 198,621
 Building Additions 2,761,649
 Walker-Stone House 1,179,152
 Vehicles 122,860
 Construction in Progress -
 Accumulated Depreciation (2,085,530)
  Total Other Assets 4,339,780

TOTAL ASSETS 10,197,098

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 Current Liabilities
 Accounts Payable 171,898
 Unearned Revenue 320,519
 Total Liabilities 492,417

  Long Term Liabilities
 Notes Payable - City of Fayetteville Solar 366,466.50
  Total Liabilities 366,466.50

  Equity
 Unreserved Fund Balance 8,405,624
 Operating Reserve 1,000,000
 Capital Reserve -
 Temporarily Restricted Funds 45,558
 Net Revenue
 Gain/(Loss) on Investments 13,592
 Net Revenue (126,559) (112,967)
  Total Equity 9,338,215

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 10,197,098
 Fayetteville A&P Commission
 Community Event Incentive Detail
 January-December, 2026


 Num Name Description Amount
80000 Tourism Support
80100 Community Event Incentives
 2026-01-12 Roger Barrett 2026 On the Map Spring Show Promotions 2,500.00
 26-14 Committee for Mardi Gras Inc 2026 Mardi Gras Royal Sponsor 750.00
 2026-1 Green Love Bob Marley Birthday Tribute concert support 1,500.00
 2760 Walton Arts Center 2026 support for Levon Helm gallery exhibition 5,000.00
 1900 Clinton House Museum Clinton House Museum support - 2026 17,500.00
 1670 NWA Center for Sexual Assault 2026 SHRED Sponsorship 500.00
 2026 Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Arkansas FY26 SoNA Beyond events 1,500.00
 2026 Fenix Arts - Gallery Sponsorship & Support for Fenix Arts 2026 1,500.00
 1939 Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Sponsorship of Chefs in the Garden 2026 5,000.00
 EXPF002 Brain&Brain LLC OZ Play Event Funding 200.00
 PSBP-2026-001 Prairie Street Live Prairie Street Block Party 2026 - Supporting Sponsor 2,000.00
 ExperienceFay Canopy NWA World Refugee Day Sponsor 500.00
 02/18/2026 Mount Sequoyah Center Inc. Creative Spaces NWA - Sequoyah Hall Exhibition Series Support 2,500.00
 5/25/2026 Haylee Shull Pride Poetry Reading on 6/25/2025 500.00
 5282026 Mount Sequoyah Center Inc. A250 on the Mountain sponsorship 500.00
 2026-1011 Northwest Arkansas Equality Center Inc 2026 NWA Pride Sponsorship: Diamond Level 30,000.00
 2026 Korey McKelvy Korey McKelvy Band & Patti Steel Band at George's Sponsorship 500.00
 Juneteenth Celebration Committee NWA Juneteenth Celebration 2,000.00
 Fayetteville Movement Festival Organizer Fayetteville Movement Festival 500.00

 DJ DSewell Y2K Pop Party on the Upper Ramble 500.00

 Robyn Jordan Her Set Her Sound 3,500.00

 Ozark United Global Game Fest 1,000.00

Total for 80100 Community Event Incentives $79,950.00
 Memo
 To: Ryan Hauck, CEO, Experience Fayetteville
 Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commissioners
 From: Gretchen Hunt, Director of Finance, Experience Fayetteville

 Date: May 12, 2026

 Re: Proposal to Optimize Organizational Cash Holdings




Experience Fayetteville currently maintains nearly $4 million in cash across its bank accounts.
As a general financial best practice, maintaining approximately 90 days of operating cash on
hand—about $1 million for the organization—is considered appropriate. This leaves
approximately $3 million in funds not needed for current operations that could be invested in
short-term instruments while maintaining liquidity.


Legal and Investment Considerations
Investment options available to the organization are limited by state law. Attached is
correspondence from legal counsel, along with the applicable state statute, outlining allowable
investment vehicles.


Recommended Cash Management Strategy
 I recommend the following allocation of funds:
 • $2.5 million placed into laddered Certificates of Deposit (CDs) at First Security Bank
 • $1 million placed into an interest-bearing money market checking/savings account
 • The remainder - approximately $400,000 – to be retained in the primary operating
 checking account
 The operating account would continue to serve as the primary account for incoming
 revenues and day-to-day operating expenses. If additional operating cash is needed,
 funds can be quickly and easily transferred from the money market account.


Reasons for Using First Security Bank
There are several advantages to utilizing First Security Bank for this strategy:
 • Established long-term banking relationship and community partnership
 • Ease of transferring funds between accounts
 • No need to establish services and signatories at a new bank so no delay in moving
 funds to investments
 • Availability of sweep account services and related cash management tools
Alternative Options Considered


 City of Fayetteville Investments
 One alternative would be to place funds not needed for current operations with the
 City’s investment pool, where the organization already maintains a portion of the fund
 in long-term investments. However, the long-term nature of those investments limits
 flexibility and liquidity. For those reasons, I recommend maintaining the current balance
 in the City’s investment pool without making additional allocations at this time.
 Brokerage Accounts
 Another option would be to utilize a brokerage. However, due to the limitations on
 investments options, the anticipated returns do not appear to justify the associated
 costs.


Additional Account Management Item
Currently there are three checking accounts at First Security, the general operating account, a
Town Center account, and a Cyclocross account. There is no legal or administrative reason to
have separate accounts for TC or Cyclocross activities, so my recommendation is to
consolidate the three accounts into one.


Requested Commission Action
I suggest that the Commission authorize staff to coordinate with First Security Bank to
implement the following actions. The signers on any new accounts will match who is listed on
existing accounts.
 1. Close two (xxxx-1528 and xxxx-4209) of the organization’s three existing checking
 accounts, retaining the primary operating account
 2. Deposit $1 million into a new money market checking/savings account
 3. Invest $2.5 million into five separate CDs of $500,000 each, laddered and placed at the
 highest available interest rates