BrandStrategy, Inc. Bestows Two Masters of BrandScience™ Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2017
BrandStrategy, Inc. Bestows Two Masters of BrandScience™ Awards

It is with great pleasure that we announce the Masters of BrandScience Awards. Gretchen Hall, President
and Chief Executive Officer, and John Mayner, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, of the
Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, USA, join 60 other remarkable executives from around the
world who have received this award.

The Masters of BrandScience designation is presented to leading executives who have advanced the
BrandMindset® and BrandPromise® principles within their organization. These executives are dedicated
to developing and implementing strategies for their destination brand that enhance guests’ experiences.

The marketing and communications department continues to build on the new strategy for the
destination brand that was presented in 2013. Over the past three years, both the city’s average daily
rate and its revenue per available room have steadily increased. The “With a Southern Accent” campaign
is used to illustrate the true southern charm and authenticity of the city and its people, according to Vice
President John Mayner. Web traffic and all social media platforms continue to experience large increases
in traffic, and the city continues to garner tremendous media coverage and accolades. Some highlights
include being named one of “Five Secret Foodie Cities” by Forbes Travel Guide, being ranked among the
Top Ten “U.S. Best Value Destinations” three years running by Trivago.com, and being ranked as one of
the nation’s “Most Travel-Worthy State Capitals” by USA Today. The completion of the $70.5 million
Robinson Center renovation is only part of the bureau’s successful 2016. In late August is was announced
that the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant, held in Hot Springs for the past 58 years, will be at Robinson
Center for the next five. The renovation was one of the primary reasons Little Rock got the pageant,
President and Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Hall says.

BrandStrategy, Inc. has advised over 350 brands in 17 countries worldwide including Fortune 500
corporations, entrepreneurial ventures, associations, destinations, non-profit organizations, successful
individuals and celebrities who desire to enhance their image, perception and success. Our clients use
our proprietary BrandPromise® science to enhance hundreds of millions of their customers’ experiences
in 50 countries worldwide.