If you didn’t hear the news, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce has a new communications manager and her name is Kristina Carlson. She took over about a month ago after longtime communications manager Becky Kinhan moved on to what we can only assume are bigger and better things.
So we recently caught up with Carlson to see what kind of dirt she’ d be willing to tell us, and of course then share it with all of you.
What interested you about the communications position at the Concord chamber?
I love Concord. It’s funny, I grew up in New Hampshire and remember coming up here with friends for first night in the 90s and there was some tumbleweeds, no one around and it just wasn’t what we thought it was going to be. And I never really came back. Then it’s funny because I got a job at the Community Loan Fund and absolutely fell head over heels in love with Concord. I love that I never have to use my car here, how connected everyone is, the enthusiasm for local. It was such a great opportunity to find out the chamber was looking for a communications manager. It really melded a lot of my interests in a place that I love.
What do you think makes Concord such a cool place to visit?
That’s a great question. There’s just something about Concord. Everything is here and it’s also just so central meaning I don’t know if people would necessarily say that I’m going to come to New Hampshire so I’m going to Concord, but you can get to everywhere you want to go with such a short drive. And within Concord there’s just so much to do. I love the State House, I love all the local restaurants, the Audubon, Mill Brook Gallery . . . There’s so many things that are right here that are so special. I love what they’ve done with Main Street.
What do you think of the redesigned Main Street?
It looks amazing. I really love all the detail. It’s all tied together in a really pretty way and it doesn’t look like anyone else’s Main Street. It’s Concord’s Main Street.
Have you gotten used to the construction noise yet?
Yes, and I’ve been blown away at the communication. I haven’t found it to be terribly disruptive, but I’m also not driving around much looking for parking.
What would be your first suggestion for someone visiting Concord for the first time?
I think it depends on what they’re interested in. If they’re looking for cultural stuff, you definitely want to check out the New Hampshire Historical Society. I’d tell them to go over to Mill Brook and all the art stuff that’s around, Red River is really neat, the (Cap Center) is really awesome and all the historic things.
What are some of your go-to spots in the city?
I love White Park. I used to walk over there and eat lunch. The State House, I love to go and sit on a bench over there. For shopping, the Viking House because I’m Swedish, so the fact I can walk down there and get sill for my dad’s smorgasbord is pretty cool and they went out of their way to find it for me.
Tell us something interesting about yourself: I was the only female ski jumper on the East Coast when I was in high school. I actually went to the Lake Placid Olympic training center. I’m an equestrian. I love to ride horses and I go on rides almost every day. I love to train and compete. I was really excited with the equestrian community I connected with up here. There’s a lot of people that ride and train horses and there’s trails that go on forever. I’ve had a blast horseback riding in Concord for the last seven years. I was also a pro ballroom dancer and competitor.
What’s your idea of a fun summer day?
There’s so many. I used to have a Jeep Wrangler, so back in the day I’d get in the Wrangler, cruise over to the coast, eat some great seafood maybe hook up with my brothers for some surfing. And I love to go hiking. There’s so much to do in New Hampshire in the summer.
Favorite ice cream?
I’m pretty ice cream obsessed. So anything with chocolate and peanut butter, I’m in. Also a Mocha mud or coffee.
Anything else?
It’s just such an exciting time to be in Concord right now. I’m so jazzed about what’s happening on Main Street and all the local businesses. I’m so happy to be here and dying to see what happens next.
