BB&B director accepts job overseeing Auditorium

The new director of The Auditorium in Eureka Springs has plenty of experience in putting together a big event in Northwest Arkansas.

According to information received by the Carroll County News through an open-records request under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Tommy Sisemore accepted an offer for the position in a July 24 email to City Advertising and Promotions Commission director Scott Bardin.

CAPC chair Chris Clifton confirmed that Sisemore has accepted the position.

Sisemore is the executive director of Bikes, Blues & BBQ and also director of safety and security for Walton Arts Center and the Walmart Amp.

“Thank you for the great opportunity,” Sisemore wrote to Bardin. “I accept the position and look forward to working with you and the wonderful team you have assembled.

“I would like to provide my currently employer ample notice, and based on your pay schedule, I would propose a start date of August 27, however I will be available to start sooner or later should that work better for you.”

Sisemore was selected from among 20 applicants for the role, which will have a base pay of $69,000 according to an email from Bardin outlining the position.

That will be a substantial cut in pay for Sisemore. According to his application, he is currently making $95,000 in his role with Walton Arts Center and the Walmart Amp and $50,000 in his role with Bikes, Blues & BBQ, which is scheduled to take place Sept. 20-23 around Northwest Arkansas.

“Schedule, budget, and operationalize a four-day motorcycle event,” Sisemore wrote on his application as a description of his role with BB&B, which he indicated he’s had since 2015. “Oversee all facets of the event from programming to day-today operations.”

In a description of his role with Walton Arts Center, which his application indicates he’s had since 2009, Sisemore wrote: “Oversee day to day operations of front of house activations within the venue. Work to ensure positive patron experiences.”

Sisemore was the only candidate who did not submit a resume or apply online, according to documents received by the Times-Echo, and lists no educational background on his handwritten City of Eureka Springs application.

When asked on the application to list additional work experience and training, Sisemore wrote: “I have been in the event industry since 2005. During that time I have attended numerous training courses and seminars.”

Email communications between Sisemore and Bardin received by the Carroll Couny News indicate the two met on Tuesday, July 11, a day before Sisemore’s application date of July 12.

“Thank you again for taking the time to meet and visit on Tuesday,” Sisemore wrote in an email dated Thursday, July 13. “I truly appreciate you and the working relationship we have already established. Any further opportunities are truly exciting and certainly not taken for granted.”

Bardin responded on Tuesday, July 18, offering Sisemore the position.

“I would like to offer you the fulltime position of Auditorium Director for the City of Eureka Springs,” Bardin wrote. “The budgeted salary is $69,000 for the year 2023. For the year 2024, I will be asking for a salary increase for this position. Also, the City of Eureka Springs provides health insurance to employees at no cost.”

Bardin’s email to Sisemore explained that he is working on an “incentive plan” that would pay additional compensation for the role based on “the number of auditorium events/performances per year; quantity of tickets sold & ticket revenue; profitability of the concession stand; profitability of the overall event and customer satisfaction of the attendees who attend the event.”

“Our goal is to have at least 2 major weekend shows per month, preference of 3 per month, excluding slower months of winter such as January and February,” Bardin wrote in his offer to Sisemore. “All total 24 performances minimum per year however it averages out. Our goal is to increase tourism, bring people to town, and let them spend money. There will be some events we may lose money but if the house is sold out and we are able to bring a quality well known artist to town, then we have done our job.

“I want to make sure you are fairly compensated for the expertise and knowledge you bring to this position. This is the reason for me to prepare a means of compensation above the base salary of $69,000.”