The Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau this evening presented its marketing plan for the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the bureau, stressed to council the agency was not booking shows but marketing the venue as a place which can be rented. There is a new logo and new slogan for the venue, “Our theater, your opportunity.”

The website has been updated and a name change for the venue was considered but not followed through with, Medlin told council at its work session.

One of the things that is being done is advertising for which the bureau is paying $8,000 from funds it receives through the occupancy tax. The theater is being advertised in Pollstar, Encore — a digital weekly publication — Celebrity Access and Small Market Meetings.

The sign off Interstate 95 at the theater has been turned back on and is advertising the December 10 North Carolina Symphony performance. “That's a great opportunity for sponsors,” Medlin said.

Shows that are tour bus friendly will be advertised on Visit NC and the theater will be promoted on digital billboards in Smithfield and Rocky Mount.

Councilman Ed Liverman asked Medlin to explain the role the bureau and the city's recreation department is taking in the theater, to thwart charges the city is back in the theater business.

Explained Medlin, “We are not actively recruiting entertainment. We are letting people know it's available.”

What that means, she said, is he city will not be paying acts to come, but those who wish to use the venue would book it through the recreation department.

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon told council the city has regained control of the theater's Facebook page and thus far has a swing dance scheduled for December 3, the symphony in December and a group which wants to rent the VIP rooms for a Christmas party.

Meanwhile, council is expected to adopt a resolution at its regular meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m. to declare nearly $14,000 worth of unneeded equipment at the venue as surplus property so bids can be received. The items are mainly lighting fixtures, a cable wall, a headset microphone and in-ear monitors.

Mayor Emery Doughtie said he was appreciative of the reports. “It's here. It's an issue for all of us. The way to make it positive is for everyone to work together. Hopefully we're moving in the right direction.”