Today we spotlight Little Rock AR- one of the Heartland Chapter’s valued sponsors.
What is recently new in Little Rock?
In 2020, Little Rock embraced the outdoors with the opening of a new mountain biking trail at nearby Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Work has also continued on the reimagined Arkansas Arts Center and it’s currently on schedule to greet visitors again in 2022.
What new is planned for 2021?
When guests visit Little Rock’s Statehouse Convention Center in 2021, they’ll be welcomed into a refreshed venue with a new aesthetic. The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) spent their free time in 2020 revamping the venue with new details and finishings.
How is the LRCVB working with event planners who are planning hybrid events during 2021?
Anticipating a long-term demand for virtual and hybrid events, LRCVB is building an in-house studio where groups can record and broadcast their own virtual events. The studio setup will allow for any number of presenters or panel members, either with or without an in-person audience.
How do you believe the event industry will evolve during the near-term/2021?
Hybrid meetings will become the norm and LRCVB is ready to help our clients organize these meetings with our new production studio. For on-site attendees, LRCVB provides a robust cleaning regimen in all of its venues and a direct connection between the convention center and host hotels. LRCVB is also in the process of becoming a certified “GBAC Star“ facility through the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.
What interesting fact about Little Rock do most people likely not know?
Little Rock is a trove of unique and quirky events and attractions. It’s home of the ESSE Purse Museum, one of only two museums in the world dedicated to women’s handbags and history, and since Arkansas is cheese dip’s birthplace, we host the World Cheese Dip Championship held annually in October.
Why is Little Rock so special?
Lots of cities are big and lots of cities are little, but only Little Rock is just-the-right-size kind of town. We’re large enough to offer the amenities of a big city, but that small-town charm is still waiting for you around every corner. Meeting planners love Little Rock because the LRCVB owns and operates both the convention center and the nearby Robinson Center performance hall and conference center, offering our clients the utmost flexibility and a level of connectedness that’s only possible in a big little city like Little Rock.
What do you like most about being a part of the PCMA Heartland Chapter?
PCMA’s annual conference offers unparalleled networking and opportunities for new connections. It’s a place where innovative ideas flow freely, and educational opportunities are always offered.
What is your tip for experiencing a hidden gem when visiting Little Rock?
Our biggest tip is to come hungry! Visitors have raved about our dining scene, and by the time you leave, you’ll see why both Southern Living and Food & Wine magazines listed us as one of “15 Southern Cities All Food Lovers Should Visit Now,” and why Little Rock was named Foodie Flashpacker’s “Next Hottest Foodie Destination” in 2019.
Thank you, Little Rock, AR for your support of the Heartland Chapter!