HSVPOA Director Kevin Sexton Updates Board

Kevin Sexton, Director of Business Development / Tourism / Public Affairs / Land Updates Board

Hot Springs Village POA Director of Business Development / Tourism / Public Affairs and Land Kevin Sexton updated the Board of Directors at the Board Retreat on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. He started off by giving a little background about himself.

Director Sexton, an almost seven-year POA employee, spent many years in the Arkansas State government. He said, “I was with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, but the vast majority of my career was with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where I became the Chief Community Developer for the State.” Sexton said he taught mayors, county judges, and other elected officials how to prepare their communities to bring in jobs, helping them with industrial and business parks and how to do incentives. He said, “I learned a lot about governmental affairs and working with elected officials.”

“My first round of golf in Hot Springs Village was in 1988. I grew up in Saline County. I am a Bryant graduate. I graduated from college at ULAR. I am a Central Arkansas native and am proud to serve this community.”

Sexton is responsible for the following areas, including generation of revenue:

Business Development

• Oversees the Real Estate Partners Program (REPP)
  • We are in partnership with ten real estate firms. All the leads that we generate through the website, phone calls, and digital, we hand over to our real estate partners through our Discovery Center
  • POA lot incentive program for Real Estate Partners
  • The Real Estate Partners receive all of the Discovery Packages and Day Tours
  • The Real Estate Partners have limited access to the EFS Edge GIS mapping to see where infrastructure is located
  • The Real Estate Partners Program, which began in 2019/2020, is a revenue-producing program and a great partnership
• Leads the effort to collaborate with regional businesses to enhance awareness of Hot Springs Village. Sexton encourages the entities to have a business retreat and golf in the Village
• Oversees the new Business Development Client Relations Manager, Mindy Maxwell (who oversees Marketing, Revenue Growth & Communications). Maxwell will be in charge of the effort to bring in business retreat events. Sexton said he is excited to work with her
• Sexton sits on the Boards of Hot Springs Metro Partnership and 50 for the Future in Hot Springs. Additionally, Sexton was recently appointed Executive Board Member for the Saline County Economic Development Corporation

Tourism

• Sexton maintains weekly relationships with the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism. We are seen as the crown jewel of the Active Lifestyle Retirement Community in Arkansas
• Oversee all aspects of the Discovery Center, including Discovery Packages, Day Tours, and leads to REPP Partners. The Discovery Packages brings in people considering retiring here. “The package is for three days, two nights, and can be for golf or not. We set up the lodging. They meet with a real estate agent.” Additionally, there is an RV Discovery Package
• Attends out-of-state tradeshows and expos promoting Discovery Packages and the Golf Department Stay & Play Packages.
• Works closely with our Arkansas Welcome Centers around the state to ensure our printed materials are available at these entry points
• Works with Influencers and golf writers

Public Affairs

• Represents Hot Springs Village at multiple events, including Chamber of Commerce banquets, networking events, ribbon cuttings, and business meetings
• Enhances relationships with regional political leaders such as Mayors, County Judges, economic development leaders, Chamber executives, state and federal Legislative members
• POA staff liaison for the Governmental Affairs Committee
• Leverages political connections
• 2024 training to become Hot Springs Village POA Public Information Officer (PIO), working closely with media on any disaster-related events

Land

• Point person for ALL POA lot sales and take-back lots, both internally and through partnership with real estate collaboration (amenity lots, developer lots, private buildable lots, take-back lots)
• Oversee the Land Management Department (revenue generation including buy-in fees, transfer fees, liens to collect past assessments, and daily title company financial transactions).
• Works with developers who are considering investment in HSV
• Manages and works extensively in our GIS mapping system, assisting Public Services

Communications

• Business Development and Client Relations Manager Mindy Maxwell has just taken this role
• Goal – Increase HSV visibility by inviting small to medium-sized businesses to stay and play with us, hold team-building events or corporate meetings at our recreation centers
• Manages the association’s consolidated marketing and member website to ensure all content is current, correct, and attractive
• Works with Sells Agency to create marketing material focused on corporate and group packages
• Collaborates with HSV restaurants to increase foot traffic at their establishments
• Explores CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software options with the IT team for possible 2025 implementation
• Oversees the Communications Specialist, whose duties include Weekly Digests and E-blasts
• Develops effective online messages, printed sales materials, paid media, earned media, and giveaway items
• Assists in creating and editing written, video, and photo content. Expand both photo and video libraries of amenities, working with marketing support or state agencies on all new photo and video shots in the village