Gov. Jim Justice reappointed Kara D. Dense, president and CEO of the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), to the West Virginia Tourism Advisory Council (TAC). It's comprised of tourism professionals from across West Virginia to provide expertise and make the industry as successful as possible. Dense was initially appointed to the West Virginia Tourism Commission by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in 2016 and again by Governor Justice in 2017.
Dense is a seasoned professional within the tourism industry with 28 years of experience. She has enjoyed success in several facets of the industry. Her tenure at CVB began in February 2007.
After graduating with honors from Concord University with a Bachelor of Science in Travel Industry Management with a concentration in Tourism Planning, Development and Promotion, Dense went on to work for Visit Southern WV, Knoxville Symphony Society, Louise Mandrell Theatre, Park Vista Resort and the City of Gatlinburg's Department of Tourism and Convention Center.
Since joining the GCCVB, she has led many organizational changes and successes. In 2008, the CVB rebranded its marketing efforts to redefine the county as the Greenbrier Valley. Dense spearheaded the organization's capital project of a regional visitors' center, which opened in the summer of 2010. She also led the Greenbrier County CVB's campaign to successfully have Lewisburg voted "Coolest Small Town in America" by Budget Travel Magazine in 2011.
Dense is active within the tourism industry and taking on several leadership positions, including representing West Virginia on the Southeast Tourism Society's Board of Directors. She serves as Vice President of the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and has been a part of the executive team since 2008. She is pursuing the Certified Destination Management Executive certification through Destinations International to further her education within the tourism industry.
In addition to her professional contributions, she is involved in her community. Dense served as President of the Board of Trustees at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, where she has previously performed. She recently became President of the Choir Boosters at Greenbrier East High School. She was a board member of Lewisburg Rotary. She is also an advisory board member of the State Fair of West Virginia. A native of Rainelle, Dense makes her home in Lewisburg with her husband, Brian, and their daughter Lily.