As the one-year anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library approaches, library officials, the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and local business owners are reviewing the library's economic impact on downtown Little Rock.

On Thursday, Dan O'Byrne, CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, will deliver a travel and tourism report reviewing the library's effect on the local economy. The numbers are expected to show hotel revenue and tourism tax collection increases and the library's effect on the city's convention business.

Library officials say that since its grand opening on Nov. 18, 2004, the library has had more than 485,000 visitors, surpassing predictions of 300,000. By Nov. 18, officials predict attendance of between 490,000 and 500,000 — the highest first-year total since the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library opened in Boston in 1979.

Meanwhile, according to numbers from the LRCVB through September, hotel room nights booked through meetings and conventions are up more than 25 percent compared with the same period in 2004. And occupied rooms in Little Rock are up about 22 percent this year compared with 2004. That translates to 134,000 more rooms sold in 2005 — 551 more rooms per night.

In addition to an increase in hotel revenue, advertising and promotion tax collections through September are up 11 percent, or $650,000, from the same period in 2004.

Ben Beaumont of the LRCVB said increases in hotel revenue and tourism tax collections "are reflective of the influx of travelers, convention groups and motor coaches coming to Little Rock" to visit the library.

Todd Scholl, sales and marketing director for The Peabody Little Rock, says he's pleased with the increase in revenue in both individual and group tour markets and predicts future success in 2006.

"We are forecasting further growth, potentially another 5 percent to 7 percent increase for next year," Scholl said.

The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce regards the library as an important driver of economic growth for downtown. Since Clinton announced his decision in 1997 to build his library in Little Rock, there has been more than $1 billion in economic development projects in the area.

"The Clinton Center has been an important economic engine for the region and has contributed to the substantial growth of the downtown area," said Lucas Hargraves, director of the chamber's business development task force. "We're seeing incredible momentum in downtown development. It's exciting to see the momentum continue to build."

Museum Store Approaches $2.5 Million in Revenue

Connie Fails, director of sales and marketing for the Clinton Museum Store in the River Market District, said the store was predicted to bring in $300,000 its first year.

A week and a half away from the anniversary of its grand opening, it has nearly reached $2.5 million.

"Little Rock is a destination travel point every single day," Fails said. "Every day there are hundreds, on weekends thousands of people who drive or fly into our city just to visit the library."

The store recently expanded from 900 SF to 1,200 SF.

At least one invitation-only event will mark the library's anniversary: A casual "blue jeans and boots" barbecue and concert, featuring country music stars Suzie Bogguss and Chuck Gatlin, is scheduled for Nov. 18 on the library grounds.

President Clinton will also be in town that day; he is scheduled to speak at noon to the Little Rock Rotary Club. Originally set to take place at the DoubleTree Hotel, the event has now been moved to Robinson Center.