Prescott Tourism Advisory Committee approves minutes, welcomes new member and reviews event, grants and meeting schedule

The Prescott City Tourism Advisory Committee on Tuesday approved minutes for Aug. 27 and Sept. 10, welcomed new member Michael Pantalone and reviewed meeting dates, grant-scoring procedures and a series of tourism and community events planned through early 2026.

The committee approved a motion to adopt the Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 minutes by voice vote; meeting minutes show no roll-call tally was provided. Christina Binkley, tourism manager for the City of Prescott, reminded members whose terms expire in March to consider reapplying. "I will email you and let you know what that process looks like," Binkley said, adding that most appointments are three-year terms and that two members had filled shorter, interim terms.

Binkley and staff also announced scheduling changes: a TAC meeting moved to Nov. 5 at 11 a.m., and the committeestrategy/annual meeting was rescheduled to Thursday, March 12. The committee flagged April 29, 2026, as a longer meeting (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) that will include grant scoring; Binkley said the grant-scoring portion will be held in executive session so panelists can review applications privately.

Staff introductions and organizational updates

John Heiney, the city's new economic initiatives director, was absent at the meeting; Binkley said Heiney is leading combined tourism and economic-development efforts and introduced Danielle Trotter as the citypublic engagement manager responsible for external communications and social media. Binkley asked members to complete a business-retention survey on participateprescott.com to aid economic-development outreach.

Marketing, events and statewide initiatives

Binkley reported that Experience Prescott's Q1 tourism budget is on track and that expenditures can be viewed via the city's OpenGov portal. She announced that Prescott has been chosen to host a stop for a statewide touring replica of the Liberty Bell as part of America250 celebrations in 2026; staff said a date for the Prescott stop has not yet been announced. Binkley also said working groups for America250 and Route 66 are coordinating events and that an Experience Prescott web page for 2026 events is in progress.

The cityassisted film-office advertising piece will run at the American Film Market in Los Angeles, Binkley said; the advertisement is intended to attract producers and location scouts and will later appear on the Experience Prescott and City of Prescott websites.

Digital performance and audience metrics

Arly (marketing staff) reported web and social metrics: Experience Prescott had about 16,000 active users in the period cited, with roughly 2,300 direct users and 1,400 referral sessions. Instagram grew past 14,000 followers; total Instagram post views for the month were about 305,000 (an increase of 29,000). Facebook reach and other platform impressions were also reported. Staff noted the top web page remained the "upcoming events" listing.

Hotel performance and group bookings

Mike (groups and sales staff) reported group prospects and recent wins: the Arizona Building Officials (AZBO) is considering a multiyear rotation in Prescott that could bring more than 150 room nights; a corporate meeting for NCM (automotive dealer operations) is tentatively returning; and exploratory discussions continue with a skate/sports organizer considering small events in the Prescott area. STR hotel data through August showed occupancy up 4.1 percentage points to 69.5% for the period reported; average daily rate (ADR) figures were modestly down year-to-date but recent weekly figures showed strong occupancy and ADR gains for the most recent week.

Parks, events and community calendar

Ryan (Parks & Recreation staff) said the 2026 tournament calendar is being finalized and noted ongoing discussions with an outside soccer group about a potential donation to renovate Ken Linley Field; the gift referenced by a committee member is expected to be considered at an upcoming City Council meeting. Ryan also reminded the committee the Veterans Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Council matters and public infrastructure

Councilwoman Lois Lewis reported on public outreach for SR-89 improvements, saying the official public-comment period at sr89improvements.com closes the day after the TAC meeting and that staff have received "hundreds" of comments. Lewis also reminded the committee that city ballots for Nov. 4 municipal elections are being mailed and urged residents to use the county drop box rather than relying on postal delivery. She described Proposition 485, the APS franchise agreement on the ballot, as a statutorily required 25-year renewal for the utilitya technical vote on use of city rights-of-way that provides the city a 2% franchise payment from local receipts; Lewis said a failed vote would legally require a repeat election.

Local organizations and member updates

Committee members and community organizations reported upcoming events and programs: the Prescott Downtown Partnership annual meeting (Oct. 23), a variety of museum exhibits and heritage programming at the Phippen Museum, a Prescott Vintage Market social post that earned more than 105,000 views, the Prescott Chamber of Commerce's fall arts-and-crafts events, Festival of Trees partnerships and multiple small festivals and benefit concerts.

What the committee decided and next steps

- Motion approved: adopt minutes of Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 (voice vote; no roll-call tally provided). - Staff will email reappointment application details to members whose terms expire in March and will circulate meeting-location details for the Nov. 5 meeting. - Committee members were briefed on grant-scoring procedures and told to expect a week-or-twoadvance reading packet ahead of the April 29 scoring session.

The committee adjourned at 11:46 a.m.