Belle Jackson

If one individual were chosen to be an ambassador for Berea, in any situation, who would be nominated? It would have to be someone with extensive knowledge of Berea, past and present. They would have to be friendly yet business like. They would need experience in travel, knowledge of history, background knowledge of political science, and –of course- knowledge of music, arts and crafts. They would also have to be willing to learn from others. So- do you have someone in mind?

I have found Belle Jackson to be a wonderful nominee. She is currently serving as the executive director of The Berea Tourism and Convention Commission; she is a fifth generation Berean, and has transformed the meaning of the word “Tourism” in our town.

One day at work for Belle encompasses as much as many complete in a week. If you ask her what a regular day is like she will reply, “There is no such thing as a regular day around here!” Belle and her staff generally start their days by being sure that the Tourists Information and Welcome Center is clean, organized and comfortable to visitors. This could mean anything from organizing brochures to changing the cat litter for Tux the cat. Belle feels that she is currently blessed with the best staff that has ever worked at the center. She emphasizes how important it is to have a great staff; especially since just last year they received 6,862 phone calls, had 36,274 visitors and sent information about Berea to over 135,000 individuals. Belle’s staff is responsible for producing L&N Day at the train station, producing press releases and producing the Christmas brochure about Berea. They also happen to be the workers behind the distribution of brochures to local hotels, restaurants and other places of interest.

Belle is asked to regularly attend city counsel meetings, staff meetings for the City of Berea, Artisan Center committee meetings, Arts Counsel meetings, and conducts her own staff meeting weekly at the Tourists center. She is also involved in Lobbying in Frankfort, attending the National Market Place to bring tour coaches to Berea, and serves on the Board of Kentucky tourism and is the Vice Chair of the Bluegrass Region convention of visitor’s bureau. Her tasks and commitments are too numerous to list, as are her achievements! Two of Belle’s honored awards include receiving the Woman of Achievement Award and graduating from South East Marketing College.

At some point, everyone needs an outlet to relax and rejuvenate. Belle finds her outlet every Wednesday at lunch, where she meets with friends at the arts counsel and plays the drums. In fact, Belle has a history in music. Last summer her band, the Real World String Band, had two of their albums digitized and made into CD’s. In celebration of their re-release and twenty-five year reunion they also held a concert at Woodland Park and played for over 1,000 people.

Belle enjoys traveling and has recently traveled to Japan to visit Berea’s sister city. She is also an avid basketball fan. Each year she tries to travel to the final four in Atlanta and to the first week of the Masters Golf competition. She claims that she loves the beach, but says if she could go anywhere she would revisit her history in England. “Nothing makes you appreciate Berea more, than to travel away from it,” Belle explains.

No one can imagine the influence Belle has on all of those who merely pass in and out of her life daily, but she is also working to improve life in Berea for all. Her greatest achievement in Berea has been the restoration of Tourism to our town. She has actually created cooperation between tourism and the City of Berea. Her work has earned her the position of a city head, and she is considered part of the staff of the City of Berea administration system. However she is not stopping here, she still has big plans for Berea. Her hopes include consistent money flow from the state level for tourism. Without consistent money, plans for future become hard to design. She explains that tourism is the third largest revenue maker for the State, bringing in an annual 8 million dollars. It concerns her that the city of Chattanooga Tennessee spends more money promoting their city than the whole state of Kentucky each year. Kentuckians can’t help but wonder what would happen if Kentucky gave this endeavor a consistent budget to work with. She continually advocates for this need at the state level in Frankfort several times throughout the year.

Her hopes for the future of Berea include, continual support for tourism as a major industry. She feels the quality of life in Berea is intensified due to tourism. “This is an amazing place to live for artists. Where else can so many different people, from different places be welcomed and work? This is a place where someone can come with any dream or vision and then make it happen.” Belle enjoys seeing Berea grow and progress. However, she feels one distinct thing is missing from Berea, a community theater. The children, visitors, performers and locals have no central location to showcase their talent or use a community-teaching platform. Belle feels this is a great need in our community and hopes to see plans unfold in the future.

When Belle looks ten to fifteen years down the road, she hopes she is in the same place she is today. “I have the best job in the city,” she explains. She has never held a job where she gets to meet so many interesting people, “each day is like a mystery, and everyone is different.” The job that she performs is irreplaceable and immeasurable. She describes herself as an “all around renaissance woman.” She is a warm and rejuvenating presence whose work radiates throughout the town. Whether you are a long time Berean or new to the area, you should visit the Welcome Center. While your there do your best to say hello to Belle and her staff; however, she may be hard to catch since she will be “dancing as fast as [she] can.”

Belle and Tux

written by Hannah Billings