Meet the Director

Photo by Cory Graham

Hey, y'all! My name is Chelsea Nolan. I'm a hometown girl from right here at Exit 22 and I’m super excited to announce my new position as Executive Director of Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission!

I grew up here in Stanton, and boy I've done my fair share of path beating to know that right where I want to be is HOME! I'm so thankful that this sweet little town is the place where I took my first steps, drove my first car, and where I still lay down my head to sleep at night. I'm even more thankful that I've been granted such a wonderful opportunity to help make my home better for those who both live in AND visit Stanton.

I studied marketing and public relations in college, and local tourism was at the forefront of my plans during my education at Morehead State. Right out of college, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona where I was the Marketing Director at Arrowhead Harley Davidson. Gosh, WHAT A FUN TIME THAT WAS!

As much as I loved the experience of living away from home and paving a new path (and as much as my hair loved the lack of humidity) I found myself boasting with pride for my hometown more than I ever had. Once I decided it was time to head back east to Kentucky, I expanded both my resume and knowledge in marketing & advertising at WKYT and WDKY in Lexington, KY. I then, on a full hearted whim, took a chance and left my lucrative, stable, and "fancy" job to become a full time musician. You can learn more about that journey in my TedTalk here! 

After several years of pounding the pavement & solidifying a name for myself, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and like so many other sectors, the music community suffered greatly. 

Shows were cancelled left and right, venues started closing, and the hustle and bustle fell to a quiet hum. I took this time off the road to do a lot of soul searching. I also used this time to help my mom find out the best ways to accommodate change in her small business. Together we found ways to implement new and convenient shopping and marketing methods. We used the tools she had (and some new ones!), the customer base she had created, and the town she had supporting her. I quickly recalled my days in television working with small businesses. Before I knew it, all I could hear in my mind was ---

What can I do to make a difference? 

I saw a great need in in my community.

A need for unification. 
For innovation.
For positivity.
A need for folks outside of Stanton to see how great this place is, how hard our people work, and how much heart is here!

As fate would have it, the Director position at Stanton Tourism & Convention Commission became available, and the rest is history!

I am so thankful to have found something that truly helps honor who I am. Home, travel, and music are three things that make my heart sing. This position will allow me to bring folks into my hometown to shop, eat, play, and stay, all while still making time to tour and sing the songs that have kept me true to myself.

I couldn’t be more grateful to the Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission board, the Stanton City Council, the Mayor of Stanton, and everyone who helped make this happen.
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I CANNOT WAIT to see what great things we can help bring to this community!
Watch what we do at Exit 22!

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