New director sees connection between Image, Tourism
By Chris Walker (Contact)
Originally published 12:35 p.m., November 12, 2007
Updated 12:35 p.m., November 12, 2007
Monday Conversation is an interview with a local person. This week’s interview is with Betty Senn, who is the new director of the Emporia Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Q You started your new job a week ago. What have you been doing to get accustomed?
A The first thing I have been doing is looking through files and getting to know the wonderful staff we have. Susan Rathke has been with us for a number of years and is our go-to person. She is keeping us in line. Shannon Sebring is new with us since June, but she has her feet on the ground and is doing a fantastic job.
Q What is your background?
A I have been in Emporia for 25 years and my daughter went through the Emporia school system and graduated from Emporia High. My husband is employed with the city of Emporia as a detective with the Emporia Police Department. I managed the Work Force Center for many years and before that I worked in human resources for several companies in town.
Q How many dollars come into Emporia because of tourism?
A According to a 2006 survey, we bring about $32 million a year and Emporia is ranked 13th in the state for tourism.
Q What are some of your goals?
A One of the first things I would like to do is sit down with our city and county officials and with the hotels to get their perspectives and expectations. I want to do some brainstorming and find out what exactly we can do to let people know what a great place Emporia is. Once I get people’s expectations and objectives, then we can delve into some other issues. Until we know where people are coming from, it is hard to take off in any one direction.
Q What things stand out to you as Emporia’s strengths in tourism?
A I think we are a community that is very progressive. We are not afraid to pick something up and run with it, but yet we have a small hometown feel. One thing the Midwest is known for is friendly people. We are also right in the middle of cattle country. We are really feeding a large part of America right in our backyards. I think we have a niche that is homey and comfy to the rest of the nation.
Q What do you see Emporia can do to improve on in tourism?
A Some people talk that we don’t have a big convention center. We do have facilities in our community that we can bring in some groups for meetings. We have the university. I know some people complain about the parking, but we can make it workable. Just about anything is workable as long as you communicate with the other party about it.
Q Why would you say tourism is important to our community?
A Our image is out there and we need to realize that how we feel about ourselves and our community is how people see us. Emporia is our identity of where we live, work and play. We need to be mindful of that every time we talk about our hometown.