Katie Beck succeeds Montine McNulty, who is retiring effective Dec. 31, as chief of the Arkansas Hospitality Association.
Beck, former director of communications for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, will represent the hospitality industry — including restaurants, lodging, and travel and tourism businesses — before the Arkansas General Assembly, congressional delegation and government agencies.
In 2016-19, she was Hutchinson’s liaison to the Arkansas federal delegation, the White House and federal agencies. She previously was executive assistant to the governor and economic development liaison to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and business community.
Beck, a native Arkansan, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and history from the University of Arkansas and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.
What changes in response to COVID-19 do you expect will be permanent in the hospitality industry?
COVID’s economic impact brought the importance of hospitality to the forefront. Almost overnight, the industry became a focus of public policy and support. Arkansans were faced with the reality that their neighborhood restaurants, new coffee shops or family destinations might not always be there, and as the hospitality industry responded to the pandemic, patron support and willingness to adapt were critical to the future of the industry. It also allowed for long-standing public policy positions to be viewed with fresh eyes. Even something as small as delivery of alcohol, once unheard of, was now seen as reasonable almost automatically.
How important will immigrant labor be in the near term?
As an organization, we are focused on advocacy for positions that matter to our members. To that end, access to labor is critical in every line of business, not just ours. To focus on immigrant labor is to miss the broader issue — that all labor is a matter of concern in every type of business in Arkansas today. Hospitality, the state’s second-largest sector, faces this, just as agriculture, the state’s first, does.
How do you plan to attract workers to the hospitality industry?
In my role as Gov. Hutchinson’s communications director, I saw firsthand the impact of the pandemic on Arkansans and our entire economy. The hospitality industry’s ability to pivot, adjust and effectively respond was truly an incredible feat. However, the most inspiring thing I witnessed was restaurants, hotels and travel destinations coming together as an industry for the good of not just their businesses, but for their employees and their patrons. There is a human element at the core of hospitality that cannot be substituted. During this period of growth and rebuilding, the industry is positioned to come back stronger and better than ever before, and it’s an exciting time to be a part of hospitality in Arkansas.
What’s your biggest career mistake and what did you learn from it?
The one item I’ve had on my desk every day of my professional career is Elbert Hubbard’s “A Message to Garcia.” It has always served as my framework for how I operate and conduct myself professionally. The essay illustrates the value of a strong work ethic and the ability to be given a task and do it. While I am certain I’ve made many mistakes throughout my career, not understanding the value of clear and direct communication early on is something I not only view as a mistake, but also a defining opportunity for personal and professional growth. I recognize that trust, communication and hard work are essential and equally important in building any successful team.
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