In her 20th year of service, Pennington focuses on local tourism businesses

Julie Pennington is a familiar face in Northwest Arkansas. Her career in the hospitality and tourism industry began with a high school job at Devil’s Den State Park, and her experience spans from hotels and restaurants to recruiting groups and meetings to Fayetteville. Leading hundreds of motorcoach tours of the city over the years, Pennington is known for her sidekick Rookie Red, a Razorback puppet who provides colorful commentary for visitors.

In 20th year of service with Experience Fayetteville, Pennington has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Destination Services, a newly created position. Pennington is the first point of contact for Fayetteville restaurants, hotels, and attractions. She also directs the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center.

“Our work as a destination marketing organization is often outward-facing, focusing on visitors and tourists,” said Molly Rawn, Experience Fayetteville CEO. “Julie’s new role allows us to focus more locally on the hospitality and tourism-related businesses that are the economic foundation for what we do. With her encyclopedic local knowledge and her passion for helping people, there could not be a better person to lead us as we take on this new program.”