Kari Frilot remembered as dedicated, innovative tourism professional
Kari Frilot remembered as dedicated, innovative tourism professional
With great fondness and sadness, we at Travel Nevada remember our colleague Kari Frilot.
“The hospitality industry and the Nevada Division of Tourism lost a true tourism advocate and dear friend on June 1, when our own Kari Frilot, rural programs manager, passed away unexpectedly,” David Peterson, interim director of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said. “For the past 10 years, Kari was a staunch supporter of rural tourism, with an unwavering dedication to and understanding of our rural communities. Kari will surely be missed, but never forgotten.”
Kari began her tenure with Travel Nevada on June 9, 2008. Many Travel Nevada partners will remember working with Kari on Rural Marketing Grants applications, as well as the annual Rural Roundup conference and the many familiarization tours she led throughout the state.
Before joining Travel Nevada, Kari was involved in tourism as director of the Pahrump Chamber of Commerce and as the chairwoman of Nevada’s Silver Trails Territory. Larry Friedman, Travel Nevada’s former deputy director, remembered meeting her when she was leading the Pahrump Chamber.
“While there, she brought innovative, progressive programming to the organization and elevated the chamber in the community,” he wrote. “During this time, I had the pleasure to work with Kari on planning the town’s first Rural Roundup. It was a pleasure and a success, as she involved new people into the tourism community.
“While at Pahrump, she became the chair of Nevada’s Silver Trails Territory,” he continued. “She was dedicated, and a firm believer in partnering with Travel Nevada on behalf of her community and region. Kari thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Territory Advisory Committee and always brought great experience to the table.”
Thank you to all our friends and partners who sent notes and gifts, and for sharing your memories of Kari. Thanks also to those who were able to attend the gathering in Kari’s honor June 15 at the Travel Nevada office in Carson City. A slide show was shown at that event, and can be viewed here.
