After more than a decade of promoting Grant County, a tourism expert will travel to a new city lead their visitors center.
Karen Niverson, Marion-Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, will start her new position as executive director at Columbus Area Visitors Center on April 6.
The Fairmount native said the 11 years experience has taught her to appreciate what a place has to offer.
"I've learned to appreciate the assets and attractions that we have in our own backyard," she said. "When you look at it as a visitor you start to look at what we as locals take for granted. (For instance) We have the Mississinewa 1812 reenactment. We have people from England come and visit. We have the Garfield Trail and James Dean. A lot of talent comes from Grant County."
Niverson said through her career she has been proud of the team's accomplishments.
"I'm very proud that we were able to establish the Garfield Trail and develop the audio tour."
Board president Mark Sullivan said Niverson was influential and talented.
"You can't help but enjoy working with Karen," he said. "She's got that positive personality and that ambition to see Grant County grow in the eyes of visitors. She always seems to find potential opportunities. She got us spoiled. Columbus is certainly getting a rare find."
He said Niverson will be missed.
"Grant County is losing an awesome spokesperson and a champion of what's going on here," he said. "Grant County as a whole is losing a huge asset. I'm speaking selfishly. This is an awesome opportunity for her. We would like to congratulate her."
Niverson said she is looking forward to her new adventure in Columbus, Ind.
"It's fun to come into a community with a fresh set of eyes," she said. "I love the tourism industry because (it) is about developing and promoting a community's unique assets. It's a way of community and economic development with a fun twist. It was an opportunity that presented itself. My husband and I are empty nesters. A friend of mine is retiring down there."
Niverson said she would be following in the footsteps of an institution in statewide tourism efforts, describing retiring executive director Lynn Lucas.
"The bar is set pretty high," she said of Lucas' work.
Prior to joining the Grant County tourism office, Niverson was a regional manager for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, which served 23 counties.