Dalaney Thomas named tourism director; tourism in state a $9.2 billion industry in 2022

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Delaney Thomas, New Director of Tourism for Arkansas Parks & Tourism

Gov. Sarah Sanders has appointed Dalaney Thomas to be the director of tourism at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Thomas previously worked at Arkansas-based ad agency CJRW where she was account manager for Arkansas Tourism and Oaklawn for almost nine years.

“I’m proud to announce that Dalaney Thomas will serve as Arkansas’ newest Director of Tourism. Dalaney has spent nearly a decade working with Arkansas Tourism from the outside, brainstorming new ideas to get the word out about our state. She’s spearheaded nationwide marketing campaigns and has the creative chops we’ll need to compete with other states,” Sanders said in a Monday (Oct. 23) announcement. “Dalaney joins an incredible team that is going to help us take our state to the next level. This administration is making sweeping reforms to make our outdoor spaces even better.”

In her role at CJRW, Thomas managed the creation and implementation of campaigns, paid media strategies, nationwide public relations endeavors, social media content strategies, partnerships, and cooperative initiatives.

Dalaney Thomas named tourism director; tourism in state a $9.2 billion industry in 2022

Sanders Announces Shea Lewis as Interim Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Shea Lewis, currently Director of Arkansas State Parks, will be serving as interim Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary as Secretary Mike Mills steps away from the administration.

“Arkansas is the Natural State, and with his strong record of leadership in Arkansas parks and tourism, Shea Lewis is perfectly equipped to step seamlessly into this new role and continue our work to grow our outdoor economy and make Arkansas an unparalleled place to live, work, and raise a family,” Sanders said. “I thank Secretary Mills for his service to this administration and years of work as a pioneer in Arkansas’ tourism industry.”

Shea Lewis biography:

Shea Lewis was selected as the 10th director of Arkansas State Parks in 2022. In that role, he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of 52 state parks found in 48 counties, covering 55,000 acres across the state.

With over 9 million visitors on an annual basis, his areas of responsibility ranged from operations, maintenance, planning, development, emergency and program services, marketing, promotion, revenue, sales, outdoor grants, and general administration.

Shea started his career with Arkansas State Parks as a seasonal park interpreter in 1995. With nearly three decades under his belt, he has also served as a full-time interpreter, park superintendent, region supervisor, and deputy director for Arkansas State Parks.

He received a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation, and leisure studies from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational/instructional media design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Arkansas State Parks Director Grady Spann Announces Retirement

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Grady Spann, who started his career with Arkansas State Parks in 1993 as superintendent of Parkin Archeological State Park and rose to director of the Division of Arkansas State Parks in 2016, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this year.

“Grady has been a true leader of the parks and a very valuable member of my team,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. “He has moved up through the ranks in our parks system and is highly respected by his peers in the country’s systems of state parks. We will miss him but wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life.”

Spann said he knew this was the right time to retire and he thinks the division will be in good hands.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/10/arkansas-state-parks-director-grady-spann-announces-retirement/

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson to Make a Special Announcement on Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Outdoor recreation in the Natural State supports around 96,000 jobs with an estimated combined wages or salaries of $2.5 billion.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson will be joined by Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and Congressman French Hill to make a special announcement regarding outdoor recreation in the state of Arkansas. This will include the announcement of new offerings that will expand state tourism and further emphasize the beauty of the Natural State.

WHAT:                Governor Hutchinson to Make a Special Announcement Regarding Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas

WHEN:               1 p.m. | Monday, June 21, 2021

WHERE:             Governor’s Conference Room
                              State Capitol
                              Little Rock, Arkansas

WATCH:             The news conference will be live streamed here: 
                              https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorAsaHutchinson/live

State Grant Program Introduced to Help Hospitality, Service Sectors Struggling in Pandemic

A $50 million grant program for hospitality and service sector businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic launches Monday (Nov. 16) and state government leaders expect to make grant awards in late December.

Stacy Hurst, Arkansas Secretary for Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said the grants will hopefully help those hard-hit businesses stay alive until COVID-19 is under control.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/11/window-opens-monday-for-state-grants-to-help-hospitality-service-sectors-struggling-in-pandemic/

Window opens Monday for state grants to help hospitality, service sectors struggling in pandemic - Talk Business & Politics

A $50 million grant program for hospitality and service sector businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic launches Monday (Nov. 16) and state government leaders expect to make grant awards in late December. Stacy Hurst, Arkansas Secretary for Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said the grants will hopefully help those hard-hit businesses stay alive until COVID-19 is under control.