Quick take
- The A&P Commission on Thursday, Nov. 5, reopened the search for its first full-time executive director because members wanted a larger applicant pool, TXKtoday reported from the city’s meeting video.
- New applications are due to the city by close of business Tuesday, Nov. 10. Interviews are set for the commission’s Nov. 12 meeting at 4:30 p.m. Staff will screen new files against the same minimum requirements.
- Commissioners had narrowed the field to seven, then dropped one after city staff said the applicant’s university had no record the person ever enrolled, leaving six. The posted pay range is $75,836.80 to $85,924.80.
- Earlier the same night, commissioners voted 6-0 to renew the Experience Texarkana marketing contract with For All Brand Kind for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2027, on the same dollar terms as this year. No dollar amount was stated at the meeting.
Texarkana, Ark.’s tourism board is casting a wider net for its first full-time boss. The Advertising and Promotion Commission on Thursday, Nov. 5, reopened applications for an executive director and set interviews for its Nov. 12 meeting, TXKtoday reported from the city’s posted meeting video.
Applications had closed Oct. 23. Thursday’s meeting was supposed to pick interviewees. Coming out of closed session, commissioners said they wanted a bigger pool and at least 10 candidates. New applications are due to the city by close of business Tuesday, Nov. 10. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements will be told to come to the Nov. 12 meeting at 4:30 p.m. for an interview. Applicants whose files were missing a document get the same window to finish them.
Six remaining finalists
Commissioners had narrowed the field to seven, then dropped one after city staff said the person’s university had no record the applicant ever enrolled, TXKtoday reported. That left six. The posted job calls for a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field, three to five years of marketing experience, and related skills. The posted pay range is $75,836.80 to $85,924.80. In September the commission set a Jan. 4 target start date, with second interviews possible in early December.
2027 marketing contract
Earlier Thursday, the commission voted 6-0 to renew its marketing contract with For All Brand Kind for all of 2027, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, on the same dollar terms as this year. No amount was stated at the meeting. Two commissioners had asked about a shorter extension while a new director is hired. The agency has run Experience Texarkana marketing since summer 2024. Commission attorney Jacob Potter said the contract allows two one-year renewals and can be ended by either side with 60 days’ written notice, TXKtoday reported.
All six commissioners were present. The board also heard two applicants for a vacant commission seat and asked both to return Nov. 12; no seat vote was taken Thursday. Last month the commission awarded $1,178,000 in 2027 event funding from the city’s hotel and restaurant A&P tax. See our earlier story on those tourism grants.