Allyson Turvey,  30, is the new Fort Scott Tourism Manager at the Fort Scott Visitors Center, 231 E. Wall.

“Most of my past experience has been in customer service, but because I worked in the tourism department for two years before the promotion, I have gotten lots of on-the-job training,” she said. ” I am a certified Kansas Destination Specialist, a credential I received last year from the Tourism Industry Association of Kansas. I’m also a Certified Professional Travel Counselor, a credential I received from the State of Kansas Tourism Department.”

Turvey graduated from Sail High School,  Tallahassee, FL  and attended Fort Scott Community College for an associate’s degree before attending Missouri Southern State University for a bachelor’s degree in business.

Turvey’s duties include managing the visitors center,  and social media marketing.

“I also attend various conventions and trade shows throughout the year in an effort to secure group tours and conferences, for which I help plan itineraries and agendas,” she said.  “I work closely with the city and  county tourism assets in order to get more visitors to them, and assist in planning and marketing events.”

In addition, she handles the marketing program of the LaRoche Baseball Complex.

” The best part of my job is the people,” Turvey said. ” I not only get a chance to work closely with locals, but I also get to meet people from all over the world who have come to visit this little community. At the visitors center, I’ve met people from Mexico, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, France, and so many others.”

Many in the community often take for granted Fort Scott and its’ attractions,  but “Our visitors are always beyond impressed,” she said.

Her work is enjoyable in other ways as well.

“It’s also pretty awesome to work so closely with locals as well,” she said.  “This community is absolutely filled with great people who love this city and want it to continue to succeed. This makes my job a lot easier because someone always has a new idea, or event, or business they want to bring here. I love that I can use my job position to help out with some of the fun endeavors people come up with. ”

Turvey grew up near Tulsa, OK, and still has family there.

 

Fort Scott Convention & Visitors Bureau can be reached at

620.670.2750  or  [email protected]