Laura Kelner was appointed as the new director of sales for Hamilton County Tourism earlier this year.
“Hamilton County is growing by leaps and bounds,” Kelner said. “It’s an exciting time to be here.”
She replaces William Knox, who is now the director of Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield. Kelner will oversee a staff of five in the sales and sports authority department and will lead efforts to increase economic impact, demand for hotel rooms and meeting venues. In other words, her goal is to put “heads in beds.”
“With the help of the sales department and sports authority, I plan to look for ways to maximize the business so we have full hotels all 12 months of the year,” said Kelner.
Besides previously working in hotel sales, she spent 14 years of her career at Visit Indy, holding the director of sales position. Her accomplishments include securing key accounts with the NCAA and bringing the Fire Department Instructors Conference International to Indianapolis. She also helped to grow the religious market segment and participated with Meeting Planners International and the American Society of Association Executives. Kelner served on local organizing committees for several NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships and was a volunteer on the Indy 500 Festival Committee.
“She brings an understanding of the tourism industry and sees the potential to provide options to groups that want to meet here,” said Brenda Myers, president/CEO of Hamilton County Tourism.
Kelner is also starting to familiarize herself with the changes in tourism and sales in comparison to years ago, referring to the advances in technology and the way customers communicate. The goal to create relationships and establish trust with buyers and vendors is the same, but it often happens differently, she said.
“Emailing, texting and less face-to face-interaction poses new challenges,” Kelner said. “The use of social media on the other hand, allows us to keep our product top of mind without being intrusive. It’s a balancing act.”
Aside from the job, Kelner enjoys spending time with her grown children and traveling with her husband, Rick. She also continues her connection with the Indiana Women in Need Foundation, a nonprofit she helped create in 2000. The organization assists women going through treatment for breast cancer by helping with daily needs – child care, gas cards and groceries and housekeeping.
