Responsibilities

• Manages and supports the execution of public relations initiatives that align with the strategic priorities of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) by building and maintaining a positive public image for Little Rock as a tourism and meetings destination, enhancing the visibility of LRCVB, and supporting its partners through proactive media relations and compelling storytelling initiatives.
• Develops and maintains the division’s editorial and media pitch calendar, targeting leisure, travel trade, local, and industry media; collaborates with the Director of Communications to evaluate results and identify new opportunities.
• Collaborates with the Director of Communications in the development of a comprehensive, strategic and measurable plan to secure earned media coverage in target publications and outlets, to increase awareness of the positive economic and cultural impact of tourism in Little Rock.
• Conducts research to identify media contacts and targeted outlets; conducts proactive outreach in key markets to generate earned media coverage and strengthen and maintains relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and content creators across print, digital, broadcast, and social media platforms to increase editorial coverage for LRCVB; coordinates and conducts deskside media tour meetings with various media representatives; attends travel media and influencer trade shows to promote Little Rock as a destination.
• Provides assistance to the Director of Communications in the day-to-day operations of the Marketing and Communications Division.
• Collaborates with the Director of Communications to serve as the media spokesperson for LRCVB, representing LRCVB in interviews, statements, and media appearances.
• Oversees the development and ensures distribution of LRCVB communication material to include collateral, fact sheets, press releases, media alerts, media itineraries, and other promotion/public information materials needed to support public relation campaigns and media requests.
• Develops, plans, and implements tour concepts to gather participation from regional and national media for individual media visits or as part of press tour groups to promote Little Rock as a tourist or meetings destination and highlight the city’s key assets, with an emphasis on providing exceptional and memorable media experiences; creates itineraries and manages all tour logistics from inception to completion; coordinates and participates in third-party in-bound press trips; develops invitations, marketing materials and itineraries for reporters and editors; assists with logistical coordination for reporters and editors when visiting the destination, including serving as host or guide as assigned.
• Maintains and updates media lists and editorial contacts in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system; utilizes the CRM system to track the use of various media tools and ensure data accuracy, including itinerary tracking and appropriate follow-ups with media.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field; three (3) years of professional-level work experience in public relations or media relations, preferably in tourism, hospitality or destination marketing. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Must possess a valid Arkansas Class D (Non-Commercial Vehicle) Driver’s License before employment and maintain licensure for the duration of employment in this position.
• Must be available to work nights, holidays, and weekends as required.
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the marketing and public relations industry.
• Knowledge of a cross-section of business disciplines including sales, marketing, hospitality industry, financial and accounting systems, e-commerce and business communications.
• Knowledge of hard copy and computer files and record-keeping systems.
• Knowledge of research methods and techniques.

Preferred

• Agency experience or hospitality background preferred.
• Experience in tourism or destination marketing preferred.