In February, Karen Trevino was inducted in the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her long-time contributions to the state through her work with the North Little Rock COnvention and Visitors Bureau.
The ceremony was held in Jonesboro and also inducted was Marcel Hanzlik, who has been with Arkansas State Parks for 39 years.
Karen Trevino accepting her Hall of Fame induction.
Trevino is a familiar name for North of the River and started with the visitor’s bureau in 1989 and was named director in July 2003.
Below is a transcript of an interview Trevino did with ArkansasNewsroom.com and it has been lightly edited and formatted for publication.
>> How long have you been with NLR CVB? I worked as Assistant Director from 1989 – 1994; then returned as the President & CEO (aka Director at that time) in July 2003.
>> As I recall, you took some time and stepped away, then returned. What made you want to come back? I went part-time as my daughter and I had opened a dance studio. I also was working full-time at Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Institute (CAHMI). We decided to close the dance studio for various reasons. Working in the tourism program at CAHMI was rewarding but I started feeling frustrated as I was teaching what to do when I was still young enough to do what I do. I love NLR Tourism and representing the city. I was very fortunate to return working for the new President Bob Major as the full-time COO until his retirement. I was and am thrilled to have the job back that I totally love!
>> In terms of tourism trends, what has changed the most from the time you started to now? In terms of advertising, it is a really tough time for the print media. Most everyone is going to digital advertising and social media marketing. We have to reevaluate who the target audience is and make sure that we market to that niche. AI is going to play a huge role in marketing once everyone gets comfortable with the opportunities.
>> As the city has changed, and become more dynamic, what role has your org played in that? We have been an active participant in making things happen – growing the city’s tourism product, managing the Argenta Plaza, expanding and managing the Downtown Riverside RV Park, developing a culinary brand that reaches into the community, developing and supporting festivals and special events, and so much more.
>> Beside the more immediate things like the eclipse and what not, what do you see on the immediate horizon that will impact NLR? There are a lot of plans to add more tourism products. The new conference center will provide us with the opportunity to sell larger conventions, meetings, reunions, etc. to bring to North Little Rock. This, in turn, will fill our hotel rooms and our restaurants.
>> How do you see NLR/central Arkansas in the next five or 10 years? We will celebrate our organization’s 50th anniversary next year. The following year is the 250th birthday of our country. There are so many special events to celebrate! We have a dynamic staff who will continue to lead North Little Rock Tourism into the future.
>> Anything else you’d like to add? Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate my team. Hope this makes sense.
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Karen Trevino named to the Hall of Fame
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In February, Karen Trevino was inducted in the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her long-time contributions to the state through her work with the North Little Rock COnvention and Visitors Bureau.
The ceremony was held in Jonesboro and also inducted was Marcel Hanzlik, who has been with Arkansas State Parks for 39 years.
Trevino is a familiar name for North of the River and started with the visitor’s bureau in 1989 and was named director in July 2003.
Below is a transcript of an interview Trevino did with ArkansasNewsroom.com and it has been lightly edited and formatted for publication.
>> How long have you been with NLR CVB? I worked as Assistant Director from 1989 – 1994; then returned as the President & CEO (aka Director at that time) in July 2003.
>> As I recall, you took some time and stepped away, then returned. What made you want to come back? I went part-time as my daughter and I had opened a dance studio. I also was working full-time at Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Institute (CAHMI). We decided to close the dance studio for various reasons. Working in the tourism program at CAHMI was rewarding but I started feeling frustrated as I was teaching what to do when I was still young enough to do what I do. I love NLR Tourism and representing the city. I was very fortunate to return working for the new President Bob Major as the full-time COO until his retirement. I was and am thrilled to have the job back that I totally love!
>> In terms of tourism trends, what has changed the most from the time you started to now? In terms of advertising, it is a really tough time for the print media. Most everyone is going to digital advertising and social media marketing. We have to reevaluate who the target audience is and make sure that we market to that niche. AI is going to play a huge role in marketing once everyone gets comfortable with the opportunities.
>> As the city has changed, and become more dynamic, what role has your org played in that? We have been an active participant in making things happen – growing the city’s tourism product, managing the Argenta Plaza, expanding and managing the Downtown Riverside RV Park, developing a culinary brand that reaches into the community, developing and supporting festivals and special events, and so much more.
>> Beside the more immediate things like the eclipse and what not, what do you see on the immediate horizon that will impact NLR? There are a lot of plans to add more tourism products. The new conference center will provide us with the opportunity to sell larger conventions, meetings, reunions, etc. to bring to North Little Rock. This, in turn, will fill our hotel rooms and our restaurants.
>> How do you see NLR/central Arkansas in the next five or 10 years? We will celebrate our organization’s 50th anniversary next year. The following year is the 250th birthday of our country. There are so many special events to celebrate! We have a dynamic staff who will continue to lead North Little Rock Tourism into the future.
>> Anything else you’d like to add? Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate my team. Hope this makes sense.
It did!