Kyle Christopher as the Director of Tourism
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is proud to announce Kyle Christopher as the Director of Tourism. Christopher will be responsible for executing the strategic goals laid out in the IMPACT Independence County Strategic Community Plan, which include but are not limited to managing tourism initiatives, promoting tourism-related jobs, providing for innovative community development, enhancing natural resources,and promoting recreational opportunities and cultural activities.
Christopher is no stranger to the tourism sector in Independence County. He has worked diligently over the last several years to promote outdoor recreation in this area. He along with his two brothers, Aaron and Nathan, formed the NOMADS with the sole purpose of outdoor recreation promotion and development and preservation of local outdoor recreational locations. This mission led the NOMADS to purchase the Jamestown Crag in 2013. Since that time, the Independence County area has become one of the premier rock climbing and outdoor recreation locations in Northeast Arkansas.
Christopher was selected by a panel of individuals or representatives of organizations that contributed $1,000 or more towards the creation of the position at the BACC Annual Meeting in January. The newly created position is a direct result of the IMPACT Independence County Strategic Community Plan. In 2016, the BACC partnered with Lyon College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville on a grassroots community strategic planning initiative. The plan was developed by the citizens of Independence County with the use of surveys and volunteer committees.
Based on over 1,200 survey responses from community members, tourism was selected as one of the main focus points for the IMPACT subcommittees to address. Hiring a Tourism Director was the first strategic goal of the IMPACT Tourism Subcommittee and will help facilitate and execute the rest of the strategic plan.
“This position is truly a game changer for our area,” said Christopher. “Tourism is one of the most efficient ways to create jobs in Independence County. We have such an abundance of both manmade and natural resources to attract visitors to our area. By having an organized force promoting and developing tourism related activities and events, we can truly make Batesville and Independence County the tourism giant of Northeast Arkansas.”
Christopher holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Lyon College. Kyle currently lives in Batesville with his wife, Jessica, who is a 4th-grade Literacy Teacher at West Magnet Elementary. He can be reached at 870-793- 2378 or tourism@mybatesville.org.
