AR 2011 Hospitality Person of the Year Press Release

Krystal Evans Named Welcome to Arkansas 2011 Hospitality Person of the Year

LITTLE ROCK, AR (March 18,2011) - Krystal Evans of Bentonville was named Welcome to Arkansas Hospitality Person of the Year at the 37th Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism.

Arkansas Tourism Director Joe David Rice made the announcement and presented Evans with a plaque during a general session of the conference.

Evans is the Front Office Manager at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Bentonville. She has been with the hotel for more than two years. General Manager Sam Jeffery, who described her as "always smiling," nominated her.

"We receive e-mails on a regular basis telling us how amazing she is. Along with her excellent personality, how they realize that she goes above and beyond to help the clients," wrote Jeffery in his nomination letter.

"She is the total package when it comes to Customer Service," Jeffery continued. "Remembers clients names, informs clients of events that are taking place in Arkansas, provides maps and highlights the roads showing them how to get to other destinations, along with using the brochures that are provided at hotels."

Evans was born and raised in Arkansas and graduated from Northwest Arkansas Community College Hospitality program. Along with her award she received a weekend getaway for her family at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.

"She is exactly the kind of person we want people to meet when they take a vacation to Arkansas," Rice said. "We have some beautiful destinations, and another true natural resource is our people."

The Welcome to Arkansas program was initiated two years ago by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to help improve customer service from frontline employees in order to increase visitor satisfaction with an Arkansas vacation. The program also aims to better inform industry personnel regarding local and state attractions.

Welcome to Arkansas is a partnership among the Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Hospitality Association and the tourism industry. It provides materials and customer service training to people who work in businesses that have face-to-face contact with visitors.

Businesses interested in participating in the Welcome to Arkansas program can contact Scott Sudduth at 501-376-6517 or ssudduth@arhospitality.org.

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