Panopto file location https://uada.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=1c557e0b-fec8-4186-8f84-accc00fdfffc 1 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:09,500 Come join us, explore the impact of small business here in rural Arkansas. 2 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:14,420 What challenges would you face if you opened a small business who can help you meet those challenges? 3 00:00:14,420 --> 00:00:18,530 How do you get in touch with others like you? This is Create Bridges Arkansas. 4 00:00:18,530 --> 00:00:27,540 And we invite you to come cross these bridges with us. On today's episode, I'm joined by Cathy Drew 5 00:00:27,540 --> 00:00:31,740 Executive Director of Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, and Gloria Sanders, 6 00:00:31,740 --> 00:00:37,110 Executive Director of the Calico Rock Community Foundation, Museum and Visitors Center. 7 00:00:37,110 --> 00:00:42,030 We discussed a host of topics, including the benefits of being a member of the Ozark Gateway, 8 00:00:42,030 --> 00:00:47,070 why the whole community needs to be on board when it comes to promoting an area opportunities 9 00:00:47,070 --> 00:00:52,650 for reaching markets outside of Arkansas and some new programing launching soon in the region. 10 00:00:52,650 --> 00:00:56,400 If you like our podcasts. Be sure to leave a review and subscribe. Thanks. 11 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,070 I hope you enjoy. Cathy, we'll have you start. 12 00:01:00,070 --> 00:01:07,060 Will you introduce yourself, tell us your name, your title and your organization and what you all do? 13 00:01:07,060 --> 00:01:12,520 Sure. I'm Cathy Drew. I'm the executive director of Ozark Gateway Tourist Council. 14 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:21,070 We are a nonprofit regional tourism association, one of 12 Arkansas tourism's associations in the state. 15 00:01:21,070 --> 00:01:26,140 We promote tourism and relocation across eight counties which are Fulton. 16 00:01:26,140 --> 00:01:32,250 Independents Izard Jackson. Lawrence Randolph, Sharp and Stone Counties. 17 00:01:32,250 --> 00:01:38,550 And we've been around since about 1961 and we're funded by Arkansas Tourism. 18 00:01:38,550 --> 00:01:46,210 And were created by our founding father, Leo Rainey, back during that time. 19 00:01:46,210 --> 00:01:51,450 Fifty nine. Nineteen sixty one. Great. 20 00:01:51,450 --> 00:01:56,340 Thank you. Gloria. We go ahead and do the same. Give us your name, your title. 21 00:01:56,340 --> 00:02:05,820 What organization you're with and what you all do. My name is Gloriant Sanders and I'm the executive director of the Calico Rock Community Foundation, 22 00:02:05,820 --> 00:02:14,730 which in an umbrella takes care of the Calico Rock Museum and also has Claico Rock Main Street Network program. 23 00:02:14,730 --> 00:02:22,200 And I am the executive director for all of that. We are a nonprofit organization. 24 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:27,660 We get our funding through grants and through a little bit of assistance. 25 00:02:27,660 --> 00:02:32,790 We are privately owned, not funded by the state. All right. 26 00:02:32,790 --> 00:02:37,350 Thank you very much. Well, ladies, I am so eager to get into today's episode. 27 00:02:37,350 --> 00:02:43,560 This has been one I've been anxiously anticipating. It's been a couple of months trying to get that settle down. 28 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:48,450 But I'm super excited to be able to sit down and talk with yall, , 29 00:02:48,450 --> 00:02:56,670 and say we've got somebody listening today on the podcast who has heard of Ozark Gateway, but they don't really know how to get involved with you. 30 00:02:56,670 --> 00:03:01,290 Can you explain what it means to be a member of your organization and kind of 31 00:03:01,290 --> 00:03:05,610 the benefits and impact you have on the community and for business owners, 32 00:03:05,610 --> 00:03:16,410 for people that would like to be a member? First of all, it's a tax deductible membership because we are a nonprofit as well. 33 00:03:16,410 --> 00:03:23,280 We offer members memberships to any business and or outside of our region. 34 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:29,340 And the good thing about being a member of the region is that list you on our Web site, 35 00:03:29,340 --> 00:03:40,290 which has over a million visitors each year and also gets you the opportunity to submit events to us for our Web site. 36 00:03:40,290 --> 00:03:42,540 Or if you have information about your business, 37 00:03:42,540 --> 00:03:54,090 you would like us to blow out to our media outlets such as like our Facebook or Twitter or other outlooks. 38 00:03:54,090 --> 00:03:58,710 We could do that. We have other means of helping promote. 39 00:03:58,710 --> 00:04:04,590 We have a co-op program for nonprofit and also for for profit businesses on 40 00:04:04,590 --> 00:04:08,580 different levels where they can reach out to us for help promoting their business. 41 00:04:08,580 --> 00:04:12,330 So there are many ways that we can help local businesses prosper. 42 00:04:12,330 --> 00:04:26,550 And our goal is to encourage people to visit the area and enjoy what we already know is a great place to vacation or even retire to or relocate to. 43 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:34,440 Well I certainly fall into that last category of relocate, you know, moving our our family up here and we love it living in this area. 44 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:41,020 Gloria, you all at the. Museum are a member of Ozark Gateway, 45 00:04:41,020 --> 00:04:47,830 and I'd like for you to maybe share what how it's impacted you guys and why you guys 46 00:04:47,830 --> 00:04:52,630 see the importance of being a member and in advertising being a part of Ozark Gateway. X 47 00:04:52,630 --> 00:04:57,460 Well, Cathy and Ozark Gateway have been with us from the beginning. 48 00:04:57,460 --> 00:05:02,950 We use them when when the chamber was here, which we no longer have. 49 00:05:02,950 --> 00:05:08,010 And they've helped us with assistance with the doing brochures. 50 00:05:08,010 --> 00:05:14,230 Cathy is really great about coming out and helping to support all of the events that we have. 51 00:05:14,230 --> 00:05:17,650 It's just, you know, I've been active with it. All right. 52 00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:22,330 Well, really not on and off, but pretty much on for the last twelve years. 53 00:05:22,330 --> 00:05:27,670 So it's it's obviously a great organization. And I, promote it all the time. 54 00:05:27,670 --> 00:05:34,470 We haven't a band or anything. Coming up. I send everything to Cathy. She gets it out there and she she's real good about that. 55 00:05:34,470 --> 00:05:41,200 And I sent very few places that you can actually get an answer within the same day. 56 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:47,870 Most cases, you don't get it from here every day that way. But she's getting it out there real quick and answering. 57 00:05:47,870 --> 00:05:55,190 So it's it's really advantageous to be part of it. Cathy, would you add any of that? 58 00:05:55,190 --> 00:06:00,180 You know, you work with all types of different businesses and industries, obviously, 59 00:06:00,180 --> 00:06:07,920 in that Create Bridges program, we focus on retail, entertainment, accommodation and tourism related businesses. 60 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:16,410 But can you give us a few examples of other types of businesses that you guys partner with or have become members over the years? 61 00:06:16,410 --> 00:06:24,450 We work with anybody from a bank to real estate brokers all the way to horseback riding, 62 00:06:24,450 --> 00:06:31,760 businesses, lodging, just basically any business in the region can be a member. 63 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:40,520 And, you know, we're happy to work with everybody in and everybody benefits in one way or another from being a member of the region. 64 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:45,650 They really do, and the fact that they and they keep up with the everyday things, you know, for instance, I did. 65 00:06:45,650 --> 00:06:50,450 Was a year ago when Adam did or two years ago. Cathy. Time's flying. 66 00:06:50,450 --> 00:06:58,650 When Adam did that, drone coming through. And I mean, you keep up with really doing everything for everybody. 67 00:06:58,650 --> 00:07:03,530 It's not just singled out to an area that maybe that is just board members. 68 00:07:03,530 --> 00:07:09,400 I do the whole area in. Can you talk a little bit of why it's important to promote as a region? 69 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,540 You know, for example, I know you guys have the. 70 00:07:12,540 --> 00:07:21,550 The magazine that highlights all the different communities and towns, you know, you can flip to Calico Rock or, 71 00:07:21,550 --> 00:07:27,720 you know, Hardy or Mammoth Spring and see these different communities or, you know, ash Flat and see what else they are. 72 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:36,120 But part of the challenge and also the opportunity is the more people you have listed in the community, the better it looks. 73 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:41,370 So can you talk a little bit about getting more people on board and why it's 74 00:07:41,370 --> 00:07:48,540 important to really get the whole community to buy in tourism in Arkansas? 75 00:07:48,540 --> 00:07:54,690 I'm looking at the 2018 figures was over a $7 billion a year industry. 76 00:07:54,690 --> 00:08:03,750 So that's billion with a B. That's how many people come to the area and spend money and stay. 77 00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:06,420 And that being the number two industry, 78 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:16,230 that lets you know the importance of items like our magazine and so forth to encourage people to visit because when they visit, they spend money. 79 00:08:16,230 --> 00:08:23,070 That money not only goes into that community that they're staying at, but it changes hands several times. 80 00:08:23,070 --> 00:08:28,980 And so it actually helps that community that county in that region prosper. 81 00:08:28,980 --> 00:08:35,520 So the importance of keeping those tourism dollars coming into the state are very vital. 82 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,470 Gloria, would you add anything? 83 00:08:37,470 --> 00:08:45,180 Well, one of the things, Cathy has a very active board and there is a member from each of the different districts and within her area, 84 00:08:45,180 --> 00:08:54,060 within the region, and they're all very active in making sure that everything is kept up with. 85 00:08:54,060 --> 00:08:58,350 We had a gentleman that was on that board. For how long was young Cathy? Oh, gosh. 86 00:08:58,350 --> 00:09:02,900 Probably close to 30 years, 20 to 30 years. 87 00:09:02,900 --> 00:09:09,510 He's recently passed away. And he was just a really, really I mean, I just laugh because we would go to the conference. 88 00:09:09,510 --> 00:09:12,930 We would go to their dinners on the yearly dinners, and one time we got lost. 89 00:09:12,930 --> 00:09:18,450 Remember when we got lost in the middle of that duck field? Yeah. 90 00:09:18,450 --> 00:09:22,030 You had a map of the road. We drove around for two and a half hours finding fun place. 91 00:09:22,030 --> 00:09:25,470 But, you know, everybody cares about what's happening in this area. 92 00:09:25,470 --> 00:09:34,860 That's the nice thing about being here. Those of us that are in this business, we care about what's happening with our neighbors. 93 00:09:34,860 --> 00:09:39,660 It's not this is just mine. I'm going to do what's good for me. 94 00:09:39,660 --> 00:09:43,820 This is an area that we work together. And I think that's an important factor. 95 00:09:43,820 --> 00:09:49,380 And the Ozark Gateway has always been there to help us and to do whatever needs to be done. 96 00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:55,830 When we started doing the magazine, the magazine that we did, I called Cathy and she said, yeah, we'll partner with you. 97 00:09:55,830 --> 00:10:00,330 We'll help you. There's not anything I mean, obviously, there's going to be limits. 98 00:10:00,330 --> 00:10:04,070 But I did. But I can do. But they're really active trying to help. 99 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:13,680 And that's the big thing. For us. I want to pivot and and talk about opportunities and trends we see. 100 00:10:13,680 --> 00:10:19,290 We've just finished what has probably been one of the worst years in modern history for tourism. 101 00:10:19,290 --> 00:10:24,720 We have all seen directly how it impact our communities. We've seen business closures. 102 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:33,180 We've seen loved ones pass away. And in those terrible times and sadness, we've also seen some new businesses grow. 103 00:10:33,180 --> 00:10:41,890 We've seen some industry come to the area. And so there are other things that are promising and optimistic on the horizon. 104 00:10:41,890 --> 00:10:47,470 Are there any trends when it comes to tourism and marketing advertising that you're seeing that, hey, 105 00:10:47,470 --> 00:10:54,430 maybe our community can either get involved with that now or something that maybe we 106 00:10:54,430 --> 00:11:01,870 are doing that maybe some of our other regions in the state and surrounding states? 107 00:11:01,870 --> 00:11:06,730 As a matter of fact, aren't doing that. We're maybe doing a good job of really and truly. 108 00:11:06,730 --> 00:11:13,840 The big thing for us in 2020 has probably been social media, which I'm sure it's been big for everybody. 109 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:20,920 But that has been a huge outlet for us to not only tell people what we have going on, 110 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:27,760 but to kind of let them know if someone is not having an event or, you know, other things that might be going on. 111 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:37,780 But another big thing for us, which, you know, is important for us to reach people outside the state would be TV advertising. 112 00:11:37,780 --> 00:11:48,550 And, you know, and they seem to be really working with people with good rights for TV ads in one of our good markets has been Springfield, Missouri. 113 00:11:48,550 --> 00:11:56,290 In the big thing about them is people from that area are looking for places like our state, 114 00:11:56,290 --> 00:12:01,810 which are small, not as populated as some of the other states. 115 00:12:01,810 --> 00:12:07,450 And same thing for our towns and especially our region, because our region has communities that are small. 116 00:12:07,450 --> 00:12:10,570 They're not heavily packed with people. 117 00:12:10,570 --> 00:12:20,200 So people are feeling safe to come visit communities like our region offers, which allows people to social distance. 118 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:28,360 And they'll feel safe. Gloria, I guess kind of the same to you when you know museums and your guy's, industry, 119 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:34,210 what are kind of some of the trends you're seeing among some of your peers and in other cities and states? 120 00:12:34,210 --> 00:12:39,120 Well, for us, the biggest thing is we've all had to learn how to do a lot more virtual and different things. 121 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:47,950 So we weren't necessarily. So what it does is it makes you be a little bit more proactive as far as what you're 122 00:12:47,950 --> 00:12:52,840 doing in the building and trying to make sure that it can be done virtually as well. 123 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:58,370 Where would we would do a demonstration? We have to think about how is this going to show up. 124 00:12:58,370 --> 00:13:03,100 Yeah. Virtually. How do you get the people? Virtually. How do you go about any of those? 125 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:10,960 So and all of the museums that I've spoken to in the area is quite active with the Arkansas Museum Association. 126 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:18,490 So for them, everybody starting out and everybody a lot of them are still not even opened. 127 00:13:18,490 --> 00:13:22,690 They're not you know, they're just afraid and rightfully so. 128 00:13:22,690 --> 00:13:27,280 Some of the things that we were we were doing, we are not doing. 129 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:35,290 We're thinking about trying to do some podcasts, trying to do something different, because we've got to get the people to know that we're here. 130 00:13:35,290 --> 00:13:37,630 And it's important for them to know that we're here. 131 00:13:37,630 --> 00:13:44,180 And so just like anything else, you know, if you don't have come through the door here, you're hurting. 132 00:13:44,180 --> 00:13:52,750 And right now we're open and we've changed our hours a little bit around for this time of year because would normally we're open from nine to five. 133 00:13:52,750 --> 00:13:56,890 This year, we're only gonna be up from nine and ten excuse me, ten. Nine to ten. 134 00:13:56,890 --> 00:14:02,430 I wish now Ten to four, but that's OK. 135 00:14:02,430 --> 00:14:06,300 But so. And see what we can try to do that way. 136 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:12,130 And then as people start showing up and doing more, then we'll change our hours to accommodate. 137 00:14:12,130 --> 00:14:16,870 What we have learned more than anything is that you have to you have to be flexible. 138 00:14:16,870 --> 00:14:21,430 You have to really know how can you change this to make it virtually. 139 00:14:21,430 --> 00:14:25,240 How can you do something and believe me version of this? 140 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:31,160 I'm not a tech person, so it's really hard for me to learn all of a sudden all this tech stuff and I'm getting at. 141 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:35,380 But I'm a little old to start learning now. Nonsense. 142 00:14:35,380 --> 00:14:39,550 In fact, I have to interject and make a plug. 143 00:14:39,550 --> 00:14:45,210 Gloria, you all have helped us with some of our video series on helping businesses in our communities get online. 144 00:14:45,210 --> 00:14:49,870 You know, we we've done a series of videos for Facebook, Tripadvisor, Yelp, Google 145 00:14:49,870 --> 00:14:54,550 My business just to try to elevate the presence of our businesses that are here. 146 00:14:54,550 --> 00:15:01,300 So people know, you know, when the state started lifting lockdown restrictions, that, hey, we're still here. 147 00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:07,720 We still have summer and fall. We're ready. We are taking precautions to keep everybody safe. 148 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:14,830 And we want you to come visit our communities. I mean, just like you said, Cathy, the fact that we're not in a heavily populated area, 149 00:15:14,830 --> 00:15:18,430 the fact that when you get your car in and travel for forty five minutes, 150 00:15:18,430 --> 00:15:22,960 you can actually go forty five miles and get somewhere versus the congestion of cities. 151 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:27,280 I mean, those are all assets to our region and it's really important. 152 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:33,370 So, Gloria, you certainly helped us in that. And I do not undercut yourself with the technology. 153 00:15:33,370 --> 00:15:39,440 Appreciate it. Because I certainly don't like. I get on the phone sometimes I can kim. 154 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:45,580 And she runs over and helps me. Side note, the Kim Gloria is referring to is Kim Panaro. 155 00:15:45,580 --> 00:15:49,060 She manages a marketplace in downtown Calico Rock. 156 00:15:49,060 --> 00:15:54,310 It's a place where there's a collection of vendors and retailers in one location on historic Main Street. 157 00:15:54,310 --> 00:16:01,060 And it's also a division of the Calico Rock Community Foundation, where all of its proceeds benefit the community's revitalization efforts. 158 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:05,050 If you hadn't had a chance to check it out, you should. There's some pretty cool stuff there. 159 00:16:05,050 --> 00:16:10,120 Now back to the podcast. You know, I don't know who's who's gonna be listen this episode, 160 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:17,500 but I imagine all types of industry you guys probably have goals for, you know, how many members you'd like to have. 161 00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:23,140 You always want to grow because the more you guys do, the better it is for the region and in promoting us holistically. 162 00:16:23,140 --> 00:16:28,840 But what are some industries or areas that you look forward to, 163 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:36,120 maybe having a few more members or getting to elevate or advertise in our in our communities? 164 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:47,640 Some of the businesses I would like to see grow are more of the lodging places, whether it be a cabin or a house that someone rents on. 165 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:52,350 One of the online accounts or for that business. 166 00:16:52,350 --> 00:16:58,860 I can't think of the names of those, but some of those businesses, restaurants, 167 00:16:58,860 --> 00:17:05,890 having more restaurants listed on our Web site in our magazine helps people that are coming and know what the area offers. 168 00:17:05,890 --> 00:17:09,930 And it's really good to have businesses like that. 169 00:17:09,930 --> 00:17:17,700 And the more you have, the more variety you have, the more apt people are to stay longer and enjoy your area. 170 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:27,450 Cathy, another question for you. If you have, say, a business or nonprofit is listening to this and they're on the fence about working with you, 171 00:17:27,450 --> 00:17:31,770 what would be your call to them to say, hey, you know, Ozark Gateway can be a great resource for you? 172 00:17:31,770 --> 00:17:42,090 What's your elevator pitch for that? Well, first of all, the membership is very affordable, especially for the small businesses. 173 00:17:42,090 --> 00:17:50,460 You're looking at fifty dollars for a year. And the good thing about that is you don't have to pay fifty dollars, when you join. 174 00:17:50,460 --> 00:17:54,450 You can pay that out over the years. So you pay five dollars a month. 175 00:17:54,450 --> 00:18:03,420 And with that, you can get posted on our social media and we can do blogs about your business and so forth and so on. 176 00:18:03,420 --> 00:18:09,710 If you want to submit a news release to us, we'll be happy to share that on our blog and social media. 177 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:13,800 So that's some of the good reasons. 178 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:25,350 And then plus, they also if they are like, say, a restaurant, real estate, lodging outfit or campground type place, 179 00:18:25,350 --> 00:18:31,050 they can get a listing in our visitor guide with which will, of course, reach over a hundred thousand people. 180 00:18:31,050 --> 00:18:39,210 Plus, it's also on our Web site. And then they also get a link on our Web site that will link back to their Web site. 181 00:18:39,210 --> 00:18:48,550 So for that small amount, for a membership, they can really reach a lot of people and get a lot of support from us. 182 00:18:48,550 --> 00:18:50,110 Gloria, the same question to you. 183 00:18:50,110 --> 00:18:59,230 If you knew you have a colleague or someone who was like, yeah, we're thinking about maybe joining Ozark Gateway, what would you say to them? 184 00:18:59,230 --> 00:19:03,880 I would tell them what it would be definitely worth [it]. Number one, they're 50 dollars. 185 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:09,630 There's a lot of advantageous parts to it. The magazine, as Catherine said, a Web site. 186 00:19:09,630 --> 00:19:16,210 And they do a lot of Facebook. I don't do Twitter, so I can't say speak for that or Instagram. 187 00:19:16,210 --> 00:19:19,930 I'm getting booked up for all this other stuff. 188 00:19:19,930 --> 00:19:26,800 It's hard not keeping up with what we're doing right now. So I would definitely add that they've just been a great partner to deal with. 189 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:34,630 I just really can't say enough about it. Cathy knows I've worked with them for 12 years, at least that long, if not before, 190 00:19:34,630 --> 00:19:41,930 because I had a business in town and worked with it before that, too. So I just definitely think that it's a great thing to do. 191 00:19:41,930 --> 00:19:52,520 To both of you, is there anything else that maybe you want to share that we haven't touched on something that we have name that sticks in to start in? 192 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:54,470 We're in the learning process of it, 193 00:19:54,470 --> 00:20:02,780 but it's through Arkansas tourism and they have agreed to only allow the regional associations to do this in the state. 194 00:20:02,780 --> 00:20:10,010 But it's it was released last year at the governors conference through their art tank competition. 195 00:20:10,010 --> 00:20:14,630 And it's a game that won the competition. 196 00:20:14,630 --> 00:20:22,910 And we have agreed to purchase one of these games. And what we're looking at is a scavenger hunt which will focus on our region. 197 00:20:22,910 --> 00:20:31,280 And in this scavenger hunt, it will be like in each community and like a stop or two where people will have to go, 198 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:36,740 maybe take a photo in front of the museum and Calico Rock, or they can do that virtually. 199 00:20:36,740 --> 00:20:43,100 So if they're afraid to travel, they can go find that museum online, 200 00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:51,140 find their website site and visit it and send a screenshot or something back to show that they did go to that site. 201 00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:58,370 And this is gonna be a new way for us to hopefully get people interested in the region and again, 202 00:20:58,370 --> 00:21:07,820 reach those people that are afraid to get out and travel, but then also encourage some people to travel in while we're encourage them to travel. 203 00:21:07,820 --> 00:21:12,040 We're also going to encourage them to be safe. All right. 204 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:20,470 Any sneak peek listings of places we can look forward to trying to find an Easter eggs for sure. 205 00:21:20,470 --> 00:21:27,550 Since we're in Calico Rock right now with Gloria, we are going to have the museum as a stop. 206 00:21:27,550 --> 00:21:34,460 You know, in other other towns, we've not really got a secure list. 207 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:41,870 But, you know, in Mountain View, you know, I'm sure we'll go to the Ozark Folksinger and places like that Mammoth Spring, 208 00:21:41,870 --> 00:21:45,770 we'll go to the state park in other places like that. 209 00:21:45,770 --> 00:21:52,420 But I think it's going to be fun in this game is going to be promoted by Arkansas Tourism on Arkansas.com. 210 00:21:52,420 --> 00:21:58,450 So it's going to be a great way to reach people. And it's also going to be heavily promoted by them 211 00:21:58,450 --> 00:22:04,240 There is some kind of cool prize or do we get a certificate from the state? We're working on that. 212 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:09,550 Hopefully we're going to have like a top three at the year and prizes. 213 00:22:09,550 --> 00:22:14,410 And then also we're going to have hopefully coupons throughout the scavenger hunt. 214 00:22:14,410 --> 00:22:21,280 So, like, if they go to Calico Rock, they might get a coupon to one of the restaurants for 10 percent off or something. 215 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:28,480 But we are going to work on that to make it fun, and also make it rewarding to the scavenger. 216 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:35,600 Both you know that my daughter travels with me a lot. She'll be three in April and she will just love that. 217 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:40,990 Anytime we go through town, we're always stopping in. And you know that big chair there in Calico Rock? 218 00:22:40,990 --> 00:22:44,980 I can't go past that without her, you know, whooping and hollering about. 219 00:22:44,980 --> 00:22:46,690 I want to get in that chair and want to get in that chair. 220 00:22:46,690 --> 00:22:51,820 So I'm sure you guys are going to find a lot of cool things across the all the different counties up here. 221 00:22:51,820 --> 00:22:59,920 So I'm really looking forward to that. Gloria, any other things that you want to share that we didn't touch we on Main Street? 222 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:06,530 We have a lot of things going on. We are now part of the Arkansas Main Street Association, which makes a difference. 223 00:23:06,530 --> 00:23:12,310 We are on the network end of it, not as a full fledged, but we still have that. 224 00:23:12,310 --> 00:23:19,060 And we're working on that content and do some promoting on Main Street, bringing in some businesses. 225 00:23:19,060 --> 00:23:24,820 Right. He didn't see Calico about 10 years ago or even seven years ago when there wasn't really much there. 226 00:23:24,820 --> 00:23:28,140 When we opened the museum, things really changed. 227 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:33,850 Then we have we still have a couple of empty buildings that we're working on trying to get things fixed up. 228 00:23:33,850 --> 00:23:39,040 But it's really been a tremendous transformation here in Calico. 229 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:44,410 Our museum in the South when we opened that, we hope in April, that's our chance, 230 00:23:44,410 --> 00:23:49,720 because right now we've got 14000 square feet downstairs waiting for me to do exhibits. 231 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:54,660 And it's a little slow right now, trying to do it because there's only two of us. 232 00:23:54,660 --> 00:23:59,500 Well, there's more than two, but two of us are doing most of the majority of the exhibiting. 233 00:23:59,500 --> 00:24:04,150 So and of course, all the exhibits are going 3-D and interactive. 234 00:24:04,150 --> 00:24:08,080 So it's really a lot different than what we used to do. 235 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:11,110 Museum field has changed a lot and a lot. 236 00:24:11,110 --> 00:24:20,470 Of course, by doing the interactive, you can do something with a visual, you know, with the pods and with the zooms and everything else, 237 00:24:20,470 --> 00:24:24,250 because it's not just look again something now you're seeing something move, 238 00:24:24,250 --> 00:24:29,650 you're seeing something happening, and that makes all the difference in the world. So we're really trying. 239 00:24:29,650 --> 00:24:34,600 And like I said. Thank goodness that we've got good partners. 240 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:39,670 All right, ladies. Cathy, we'll start with you. How can people get a hold of you if they want more information? 241 00:24:39,670 --> 00:24:44,170 And what are you guys on as far as social media and a digital presence? 242 00:24:44,170 --> 00:24:49,030 We are on Twitter, Facebook. 243 00:24:49,030 --> 00:24:55,060 Facebook is our main outlet. We we have a lot more success with Facebook. 244 00:24:55,060 --> 00:25:02,580 Twitter is good. We still have a hard time getting used to keeping tweets short. 245 00:25:02,580 --> 00:25:08,640 So it's sometimes somewhat hard for us older folks to keep our wording reduced 246 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:13,920 to that small amount that they can find us on Facebook at Ozark Gateway, 247 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:21,090 or our name is Ozark Gateway Tourist Council. Our Web site is OzarkGateway.com. 248 00:25:21,090 --> 00:25:27,660 We have a 1-800 number, which is 1-800-264-0316. 249 00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:33,000 And if you don't call me in the middle of the night, a great way to get in touch with me is my cell phone. 250 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:38,100 You can see me. we decided to leave Cathy's phone number out. 251 00:25:38,100 --> 00:25:40,890 We didn't want her getting any of those late night texts. 252 00:25:40,890 --> 00:25:45,810 So if you need to get a hold of her, I'm sure she'll be glad to give it out personally one on one. 253 00:25:45,810 --> 00:25:52,050 But those are the best ways to reach out to us. Gloria, how do we get in contact with you? 254 00:25:52,050 --> 00:25:58,380 Let me tell you the secret to the cell phone. I have to turn it off at 10 doesn't come back until 7:00. 255 00:25:58,380 --> 00:26:03,480 There you go. So it automatically does it. It's on your cell phone. 256 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:06,450 Well, we are in Calico Rock down on 105 Main Street. 257 00:26:06,450 --> 00:26:16,710 And of course, we are open to Tuesday through Saturday right now from from 10 to 4, for we also have a beb site called CalicoMuseum.com. 258 00:26:16,710 --> 00:26:23,400 We are on Facebook. We are on Instagram for some reason or another and shows up in my name instead of the museum. 259 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:28,500 And we're put all this museum stuff on it. So we're working on that. 260 00:26:28,500 --> 00:26:34,170 But we have a Facebook page. So those are the ones that we work. Actually, we have three Facebook pages. 261 00:26:34,170 --> 00:26:38,920 We have a Calico Rock Museum. We have the Marketplace. And we also have Artisan Cooperatives. 262 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:43,740 So all three of those. But we have one website. We're working on a couple others. 263 00:26:43,740 --> 00:26:50,230 But somebody has to maintain these when they're there. So it's it's getting down to it. 264 00:26:50,230 --> 00:26:57,630 We do have a phone number and landline, which is 870-297-6100. 265 00:26:57,630 --> 00:27:04,980 And I'm not giving you my cell phone number. You've already got it. 266 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:11,400 Well, ladies, thank you so much for joining me today. I've had a great time and I learned some things that I didn't know. 267 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:16,500 And I look forward to just seeing great things coming out of both your communities and your organizations. 268 00:27:16,500 --> 00:27:21,450 And just thank you again for the work you all do. Thanks again for listening to our podcast. 269 00:27:21,450 --> 00:27:26,190 If you enjoyed this. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It really helps us out. 270 00:27:26,190 --> 00:27:34,900 Stay tuned for the next episode and we'll see you again soon. 271 00:27:34,900 --> 00:27:41,540 For more information about this or any great Bridges podcast or more about Create Bridges, Arkansas, visit. 272 00:27:41,540 --> 00:27:50,470 uaex.edu/createbridges. The Create Bridges Arkansas podcast is made possible by Wal-Mart Grant to the University of Arkansas System, 273 00:27:50,470 --> 00:27:55,480 Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, Community, Professional and Economic Development Unit. 274 00:27:55,480 --> 00:28:03,724 And with the cooperation of Spring River Innovation Hub and White River Now Productions.