Beginning Monday, March 9, 2020, the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the North Little Rock Advertising & Promotion Commission (A & P) will be located on the first floor of the 600 Main Building at 600 Main Street in North Little Rock.
For the past 38 years, the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau has run the Visitors Information Center in Burns Park. Since opening, the staff helped more than 400,000 visitors off Interstate 40 while continuing sales and marketing efforts to promote the city as a destination. The Burns Park building will close as a visitors information center beginning Wednesday, March 4, and be used as an office for the North Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department.
“We’ve outgrown this building,” said Bob Major, President & CEO. “We’re literally doubling our footprint, moving into a space that not only accommodates our current needs but has room for us to grow.”
The North Little Rock CVB is going from 3,224 square feet to 6,500 square feet with spare offices, collaboration room, roomy kitchen area, workspace for assembling welcome bags and mailouts for large groups, and additional bathrooms. It also includes a new meeting space that can be rented for groups and access to a fourth-floor rooftop balcony with breathtaking views of downtown.
The North Little Rock Welcome Center, located on the first floor with a separate Main Street entrance from the CVB, is also a larger, brighter space with an informational desk, lounging area with TVs, brochures and retail items for sale. This will be the first time the organization will sell souvenirs and local or Arkansas-made items, a request often heard from visitors over the years. Floor-to-ceiling windows make up two walls for light and a panoramic view of Main Street. It will be in a “soft launch” mode ahead of its Friday, April 17, grand opening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Argenta Art Walk.
“We will at least be open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and for special events like Third Friday Argenta Art Walk,” said Shannon Harris, Guest Services Manager. “We anticipate that the new location will pull in different visitors than we’ve had in Burns Park and probably more locals too.”
During the transition, visitors will still be able to find information online at NorthLittleRock.org or by using the free planning app, Explore NLR!. Though moving locations, the North Little Rock CVB will retain its current phone number, (501) 758-1424.
North Little Rock lodging properties and foodservice providers with questions about remitting taxes are encouraged to call Robin Powell, Tax Revenue Manager, at (501) 404-0143 or visit NorthLittleRockAP.org.