During the 50th Annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Jonesboro in February, North Little Rock Tourism President & CEO Karen Trevino was inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and Heather Kouns, Director of Tourism Development, received the Henry Award for “Rising Star”.
“I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame,” Trevino said. “Sharing this recognition with esteemed leaders who have served as my mentors, heroes, and friends fills me with immense gratitude. It is my aspiration to inspire others, just as these distinguished Hall of Famers have inspired me. Throughout my career in tourism, passion has been my driving force, and this recognition means the world to me.”
The Tourism Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have been actively involved for many years in tourism and have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the industry. Trevino has been wit for almost 27 years. She worked for several years as a Hospitality and Tourism Professor at the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Institute and has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for over forty years having worked previously at the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism and at the Arkansas Hospitality Association. She is an award-winning tourism professional. Karen also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Southeast Tourism Society and as President of Skål International USA for 2024.
Trevino received the Henry Award “Tourism Person of the Year” at the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in 2010, “Silver Cup for Tourism” and the “President’s Award” from the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the “Spirit of Skal” Award and the “J. Dan Baker” Award from SKAL International Arkansas, and the State Management Award from the Arkansas Business & Professional Women’s’ Association. The Southeast Tourism Society recognized Karen and her staff with its “Tourism Office of the Year” in 2023. The Arkansas Hospitality Association inducted Karen into its Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame in 2010. She was chosen by AY Magazine as one of its “Intriguing Women” for 2019 and was a finalist for AY’s Person of the Year. Karen was recognized by Arkansas Money & Politics (AMP) as Power Woman for 2022 and 2023. She was inducted in the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame at this Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Trevino is a TMP (Tourism Marketing Professional) from the Southeast Tourism Society and a Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) from Indiana University. She also earned Certified Diversity Travel Professional (CDTP) from Travel Unity and the Certified Culinary Travel Professional (CCTP) designation from the World Food Tourism Association. She received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from John Brown University and a Master of Arts in Tourism Planning & Development from California University.
The Rising Star Award is presented to a young tourism professional in recognition of specific accomplishments, demonstrated leadership and commitment to the industry. Heather Kouns has been Director of Destination Projects for North Little Rock Tourism since August 2021. During her brief time so far, she has spearheaded North Little Rock’s “Setting the Table” Culinary Initiative, taken over management of the Downtown Riverside RV Park and represented North Little Rock in several industry and nonprofit organizations. To connect with the local community and introduce hospitality and tourism to the future workforce, Kouns led culinary cooking and tourism classes for elementary students in the North Little Rock School District. She also created North Little Rock Farmers Market Week with a passport program to encourage visitation to farmers markets with the goal to increase economic impact. In 2022 North Little Rock Tourism launched Food Truck Permitting Day, a one-stop-shop for food trucks to obtain their permits required to work in North Little Rock.