Kalene Griffith, CDME

Kalene Griffith is the President & CEO of Visit Bentonville, where her work is less a job and more a calling. For over two decades, she has been one of the passionate forces behind Bentonville's transformation into one of America's most exciting destinations a place where world-class cycling trails weave through a thriving arts scene, where culinary creativity meets authentic Southern hospitality.

Her love for tourism sparked at age 14 and has never slowed down. From parks and recreation to Walt Disney World, from the YMCA to the halls of the Arkansas State Capitol, Kalene has spent her career learning that every community has a story worth telling, and that Bentonville's story is one of the best. Since taking the helm at Visit Bentonville in 2005, she has grown the organization into a powerhouse Destination Management Organization, steering a $5 million annual budget, leading a team of 14 talented professionals, and expanding the city's event calendar from just 7 events to more than 270 a year.

Kalene believes deeply that tourism is about more than heads in beds. It's about collaboration, economic vitality, community pride, and the kind of quality of life that keeps people coming back and eventually calling Bentonville home. She consistently collaborates with city leaders, state officials, industry partners, and community visionaries, serving on boards ranging from the Scott Family Amazeum Board to the Bentonville Public Art Advisory Board. Appointed by the Governor to the Arkansas State Parks & Tourism Commission for a second term, she has also earned recognition as Arkansas Tourism's Person of the Year, a 40 Under 40 honoree, and a C-Suite Award recipient.

For Kalene, Bentonville is her livelihood and Arkansas is her passion. Every visitor welcomed, every dollar invested, every piece of American art seen, and every trail ridden is a testament to what happens when passion and purpose come together.