Speaking of downtown development in Fort Smith, we’ve had occasion to hang with the staff at the new John Q. Hammons Marriott Courtyard lately. These guys know how to run a hotel and they know how to have fun.

The first floor of the hotel exudes “experience” and “place.” While I’m not an architect or an interior designer, I’m pretty sure I recognize arts & crafts influence in the wood and with the colorful tiles. The chair are comfortable. The public spaces are well-lit and open. Wi-fi everywhere.

Along with the Holiday Inn City Center and the Howard Johnson, my friend Claude Legris, Director of the Fort Smith Advertising & Promotions Bureau, says we’re set to bring some good-sized meetings to the Fort Smith Convention Center.

We mentioned the Arvest Bank project yesterday. My friend Jayne Hughes says more good stuff is in the hopper for downtown Fort Smith.

If you’re in the area, stop by the Hammons Marriott Courtyard. Tell em Judge Jim Spears sent you and said to put the martini on his tab! 😀