Feature photo above: Heather Baker, President and Publisher of AY Media Group and Helen Hernandez, CEO of the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). Photos by Jane Colclasure.
Arkansas is full of delightful contradictions, Heather Baker told a group of national travel writers Tuesday.
Baker, president and publisher of AY Media Group, which includes Arkansas Money & Politics, AY Magazine and Arkansas Mental Health Guide Magazine, was the keynote speaker at the North American Travel Journalists Association Conference & Marketplace, which runs May 12-15 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in downtown North Little Rock.
In her address before more than 40 international travel writers, Baker challenged stereotypes and encouraged attendees to wander off the beaten path as they explore the Natural State.
“Arkansas is full of delightful contradictions,” she said. “We’re the Natural State, yet we host one of the most advanced presidential libraries in the country. We’re landlocked, but we have a fully operational World War II submarine docked on the river. We’re Southern to our core, yet our music has influenced everything from rock ‘n’ roll to blues legends worldwide. That’s the beauty of us — we surprise you at every turn.”
The annual conference brings together NATJA members and destination marketing professionals from all over the world for professional development workshops, networking and tours of the host destination. Attendees are encouraged to get out and find the “hidden gem” in each host city. Past host cities have included Branson, Missouri; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Palm Springs, California. NATJA is based in Pasadena, California.
“North Little Rock isn’t the ‘little sibling’ across the river from Little Rock, it’s a city with its own bold personality, deep history and creative soul,” Baker said. “In a single afternoon, you can go from urban energy to feeling like you’ve escaped to the wilderness. That seamless blend of city and nature is what central Arkansas does best.”
Heather Baker
She also noted the Arkansas food scene, which stretches from “James Beard-recognized Southern cuisine with global twists, to hole-in-the-wall barbecue joints that have been perfecting their sauce recipes since the 1950s,” and educated the visitors about the origin of cheese dip (which outsiders may refer to as “queso”).
Baker also touted several area landmarks on both sides of the Arkansas River as destination-worthy, including the Old Mill in North Little Rock, which was featured in the opening scenes of the 1939 classic film, Gone With the Wind; the Argenta Arts District; the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum; the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site; the Big Dam Bridge, billed as the longest pedestrian bridge in the world; the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum; and much more.
“Speaking of unexpected treasures, head to the riverfront for the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum and the USS Razorback,” Baker said. “Yes, a World War II submarine in landlocked Arkansas. This vessel actually witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. Only in North Little Rock would someone say, ‘You know what our river needs? A 90-percent-operational submarine.’ It’s quirky, it’s historic and it’s one of those stories that makes travel writers lean in closer.”
Baker was joined in her praise of the host city by North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick, who cited a half-cent sales tax passed by local voters and the work of his predecessors in helping see to fruition projects such as Argenta Plaza and the planned ATG Pavilion, new fire stations and a new police headquarters.
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick
“As mayor, you’ve got to make a difference,” he said. “When I was mayor [the first time] in 1984, the riverfront was nothing but dirt. Now we have Simmons Bank Arena, Dickey-Stephens [Ballpark], the North Little Rock Conference Center and two new hotels going up.”
Heather Kouns, vice president of strategic sales for North Little Rock Tourism, said the city is entering a phase designed with purpose and “not by accident.”
“There has been a lot of building on who we are [as a city] and on expectations of what is possible,” she said.
Heather Kouns
Dalaney Thomas, director of Arkansas tourism for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, presented promotional videos showcasing multiple state parks and travel destinations, including the mountain biking trails in and around Bentonville, now home to the U.S. National Mountain Biking Team. These trails include the new OZ Trails at Bella Vista Park, which features the world’s first downhill run with a bike lift. She also touted iconic Arkansas destinations such as Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, undergoing a major expansion; Hot Springs National Park; the Buffalo National River; and even the globally acclaimed Onyx Coffee Lab in Rogers.
Heather Baker, President and Publisher of AY Media Group and Dalaney Thomas, director of Arkansas tourism for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
“If you think you’ve been to Crystal Bridges before, then you haven’t been,” she said.
Though Arkansas delivers more than its share of travel-worthy spots, Baker said the people, as much as anything, make it destination-worthy.
“There’s one thing, my friends, that truly sets us apart: our people. Warm, resilient, creative and funny as all get-out,” she said. “We’ve got grit from generations of farmers, miners, teachers and dreamers who built this state against the odds. But we also have refinement and grace in equal measure — we invite strangers to supper, give directions with a side of local lore and genuinely want you to fall in love with our home.”
Baker, who spent over three decades in Arkansas media, said the best tales she’s both told and heard aren’t about landmarks, however.
Heather Baker visits with Michael McCray of Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission
“They were about the artist in Argenta turning salvaged river wood into gallery pieces, the family keeping a multi-generational barbecue recipe alive, the young entrepreneur opening a coffee shop that doubles as a community hub,” she said. “That’s where AY Media Group comes in. For three decades, we’ve been the trusted voice chronicling Arkansas life. Every issue of AY Magazine dives deep with profiles of intriguing Arkansans, hidden travel gems, food adventures, arts spotlights and those ‘only in Arkansas’ stories that make readers smile and immediately start planning a trip. We don’t just cover the state; we know it intimately.”
Bennett Root Jr., executive vice president and general counsel for NATJA, left Tuesday’s festivities impressed.
“I just want to say particularly, thank you. I’ve been sitting in these presentations for 20 years. We’ve been all over the country, and what you just gave us was as rich as nuanced a presentation as we have ever seen.” he said.
Heather Baker
Read it in its entirety below:
(Delivered by Heather Baker, President & Publisher, AY Media Group)
North American Travel Journalists Association Annual Conference
North Little Rock, Arkansas – 2026
Good morning, fellow storytellers!
Thank you, North Little Rock Tourism and journalists, for that warm welcome — and for trusting a lifelong Arkansan with your keynote.
My name is Heather Baker, and I’ve been in Arkansas journalism for 30 years, which, around here, qualifies me as “barely seasoned.” I was born here, raised here, and I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else.
As president and publisher of AY Media Group — home to AY Magazine, the state’s leading lifestyle publication, and Arkansas Money & Politics — I’m honored to lead a team that covers every inch of this beautiful, unique, resilient state every month. We believe, as you will no doubt see during your stay here, that the best stories aren’t imported — they’re grown right here in the red dirt.
You see, at AY Media Group and in Arkansas, we don’t rush. We linger. We tell the long version because the long version is where the good stuff lives.
Let’s start by gently dismantling a few stereotypes, shall we? I know what some of you thought when your plane touched down, “Arkansas? Isn’t that the place where they still deliver pizza by mule and the national sport is competitive banjo playing?”
Well, friends, I’m happy to report that our pizza arrives in Teslas these days, though I wouldn’t rule out a good banjo duel on a Friday night. We do have porches — glorious ones — perfect for sweet tea and storytelling, but we’ve also got craft breweries, James Beard-nominated chefs and Wi-Fi strong enough to file your stories before the sun sets over the Ouachitas.
Arkansas is full of delightful contradictions. We’re the Natural State, yet we host one of the most advanced presidential libraries in the country. We’re landlocked, but we have a fully operational World War II submarine docked on the river. We’re Southern to our core, yet our music has influenced everything from rock ‘n’ roll to blues legends worldwide. That’s the beauty of us — we surprise you at every turn.
Let me take you on a proper tour of where you’re standing right now: North Little Rock and the vibrant heart of Central Arkansas.
North Little Rock isn’t the “little sibling” across the river from Little Rock; it’s a city with its own bold personality, deep history and creative soul. Start in the Argenta Arts District, one of our oldest and most eclectic neighborhoods. Stroll the historic streets lined with restored buildings, pop into independent galleries, catch live theater, or enjoy outdoor music at Argenta Plaza.
And right here in Argenta Plaza, something truly exciting is happening this very week. On Monday, May 11, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new ATG Pavilion — a beautiful, innovative addition to this already vibrant plaza. I’m completely inspired by its design, which draws from the renowned architect E. Fay Jones and his iconic Thorncrown Chapel located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. That same spirit of light, nature, and transcendent beauty is being woven into this pavilion, creating a space that will feel both timeless and forward-looking. This isn’t just another venue — it’s a tribute to Arkansas music history featuring 21 larger-than-life bronze sculptures. At the center? An eight-foot Johnny Cash, twin to the one in the U.S. Capitol. You’ll also find sculptures honoring Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll; Albert King, and so many more. This isn’t just public art: it’s going to be a stunning architectural gem where Arkansas music history will come alive for generations to come.
Just down the way sits the Old Mill in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park. If it looks familiar, that’s because it graced the opening scenes in Gone With the Wind. Built in the 1930s as a tribute to Arkansas pioneers, it’s romantic, cinematic and pure magic at golden hour. I’ve lost count of how many marriage proposals I’ve heard about happening right there.
Then there’s Burns Park: 1,700 acres of pure Arkansas playground, one of the largest municipal parks in the nation. You can mountain bike, kayak, play disc golf, golf, fish, hike, or simply let your dog run wild in the dog park while you sip coffee and watch the world slow down. In a single afternoon, you can go from urban energy to feeling like you’ve escaped to the wilderness. That seamless blend of city and nature is what Central Arkansas does best.
Speaking of unexpected treasures, head to the riverfront for the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum and the USS Razorback. Yes, a World War II submarine in landlocked Arkansas. This vessel actually witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. Only in North Little Rock would someone say, “You know what our river needs? A 90-percent-operational submarine.” It’s quirky, it’s historic and it’s one of those stories that makes travel writers lean in closer.
The Arkansas River Trail ties it all together — miles of paved paths, including crossings over the Big Dam Bridge, the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the world at over 4,200 feet. You can bike from a local brewpub straight to the base of Pinnacle Mountain in under an hour. Pinnacle, by the way, is our local Everest: steep, challenging, but rewarding with panoramic views that make you feel like you’re on top of the world. Families, serious hikers and casual strollers all find their pace here.
Just across the river in Little Rock, the discoveries keep coming. Walk into the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and step inside a replica Oval Office, explore interactive exhibits, and stand on bridges that literally connect history to the present. A short drive takes you to Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site — the only operating high school that is also a National Historic Site — where the courage of the Little Rock Nine in 1957 still resonates powerfully today.
Don’t miss the Little Rock Zoo with over 700 animals, the Museum of Discovery or the Esse Purse Museum dedicated entirely to the history of handbags. And for nature lovers right in the city, you’ve got the Fourche (FUU-shhh) Creek Wetlands — one of the largest metropolitan wetlands in the nation — perfect for kayaking and wildlife watching. Little Rock proves that a capital city can feel both sophisticated and wonderfully approachable.
And the food? Oh, my friends, the food. Arkansas is having a serious moment. From James Beard-recognized Southern cuisine with global twists, to hole-in-the-wall barbecue joints that have been perfecting their sauce recipes since the 1950s.
Don’t miss the craft beer scene — breweries popping up on both sides of the river with names that nod to our quirky history. Try the tamales in the River Market, the fried catfish that melts in your mouth or a piece of pie from a small-town diner where the waitress calls you “honey” and means it. Arkansas hospitality isn’t performative; it’s baked into our DNA. (And yes, we invented cheese dip here in Little Rock — come try the best versions in this state.)
Music runs through everything we do, from up-and-coming acts gigging in the bars every night to the big stages at Simmons Bank Arena, where legends like Paul McCartney and Carrie Underwood have performed. Right up the street, intimate venues in Argenta host singer-songwriters who pour their Arkansas souls into every note. We don’t just listen to music here — we live it.
But for all this, there’s one thing, my friends, that truly sets us apart: our people. Warm, resilient, creative and funny as all get-out. We’ve got grit from generations of farmers, miners, teachers and dreamers who built this state against the odds. But we also have refinement and grace in equal measure — we invite strangers to supper, give directions with a side of local lore, and genuinely want you to fall in love with our home.
In 30 years of storytelling, the best tales I’ve told weren’t about landmarks. They were about the artist in Argenta turning salvaged river wood into gallery pieces, the family keeping a multi-generational barbecue recipe alive, the young entrepreneur opening a coffee shop that doubles as a community hub.
That’s where AY Media Group comes in. For three decades, we’ve been the trusted voice chronicling Arkansas life. Every issue of AY Magazine dives deep with profiles of intriguing Arkansans, hidden travel gems, food adventures, arts spotlights and those “only in Arkansas” stories that make readers smile and immediately start planning a trip.
We don’t just cover the state; we know it intimately. When you’re here (and I strongly encourage you to extend your stay), reach out to our team. We’ll connect you with sources, photo ops, local guides, and the real stories behind the scenes. Consider AY your VIP insider pass to Arkansas. The more you explore with us, the richer your stories will be.
Let me share a few personal favorites I’ve covered over the years. There’s the diamond mine in Murfreesboro where you can actually dig for your own gems — real diamonds in the dirt that are yours to keep.
I also love the town festivals where strangers become lifelong friends over a game of cornhole and a slice of homemade pie.
There are ghost stories in the Ozarks, Civil War battlefields that still whisper history, and modern makers redefining Southern craftsmanship. Arkansas is layered — beautiful on the surface, profound when you dig deeper.
My challenge to every one of you brilliant journalists, broadcasters, podcasters and creators is this: Go beyond the guidebook. Lace up your boots and hike Pinnacle at sunrise. Paddle the river at dusk. Wander Argenta at golden hour. Strike up a conversation at the Old Mill or over a plate of barbecue. Slow down enough to hear the stories. Because Arkansas doesn’t just give you destinations — it gives you feelings. A sense of wonder. A reminder that grit and grace can coexist beautifully. A place where creativity flows as naturally as the Arkansas River.
North Little Rock and Arkansas aren’t waiting for the world to discover us. We’re already here — warm, wild, wonderfully authentic and ready for you. Come for the conference. Stay for the sunsets over the river. Explore the trails, the arts, the music, the food and the people. Leave with notebooks full, hearts fuller, and maybe a new favorite state on your personal map.
We at AY Media Group can’t wait to help you tell those stories. Reach out. Let’s make magic together.
Thank you so much. Now, who’s ready to go explore the Natural State? I’ll see you out there — probably with a sweet tea in one hand and a story in the other.
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