Tourism is growing increasingly important in the area. Lakes, mountains, rivers and streams, as well as state and national parks, can be found nearby.
In an effort to try to tap further into the hospitality and tourism industry, the Henderson State University Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will host the Diamond Lakes Region Hospitality and Tourism Conference Nov. 8-9 at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck. A networking reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 8, and the conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9.
Leah Hasley, director of the Henderson State University Small Business Technology Development Center in Arkadelphia, said the conference is designed for those looking to learn more about the hospitality and tourism industries in Arkansas.
“We want to promote tourism in the region and in the state,” Hasley said. “Our co-sponsors include the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Diamond Lakes Travel Association, the Caddo Valley Advertising and
Promotions Commission, Visit Hot Springs, the Henderson State University School of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“We are looking for other chambers of commerce, business owners and anyone who is interested in tourism to attend this conference,” she said. “Members of the public are welcome as well. We hope to have 100 to 125 people in attendance.”
Keynote speakers Nov. 9 will include Kane Webb, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, who will present
Arkansas Tourism Update at 9:15 a.m.; Marc Miller, dean of the Henderson State University School of Business, who will present Creating an Experience of a Lifetime at 12:35 p.m.; and Rex Nelson, senior editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, who will present Arkansas Tourism Leads to Great Experiences at 3:55.
Morning breakout sessions will be presented by Jim Miller, director of marketing for the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs; Stephanie Alderdice, owner of the 61 Celsius advertising agency in Hot Springs; Bill Solleder, director of marketing for Hot Springs Village; Cora Easterday, group travel and visitor services assistant for Visit Hot Springs; and Mary Caroline Nolan, digital marketing strategist/relations manager for businesses such as Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart.
Afternoon breakout sessions will be presented by John Varnedore of Impact 360 Media in Hot Springs; Joe David Rice, tourism director for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism; Rose Schweikhart, owner/operator of Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs; and Cole McCaskill, vice president of economic development for the Hot Springs Metro Partnership.
The registration fee for the conference is $50 per person. The deadline to register is Nov. 5. A block of rooms at DeGray Resort Lodge has been reserved for conference attendees; call (501) 865-5810 to check availability.
For more information about the conference, contact the HSU Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at (870) 230-5184 or asbtdc@hsu.edu.