Meet Jean Gordon | Visit Arvada, Driector

Shoutout Colorado | April 9, 2024

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jean Gordon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jean, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor to my success in the role of Director of Visit Arvada is the ability to be collaborative. This community is full of organizations led by unique and innovative individuals. Getting to know each of them and the value they bring to “my lane” (promoting this community as a tourist destination) has been very fruitful. Because of the collaboration and the partnerships developed, I hope that I have been able to shine a brighter light on a variety of reasons that Arvada is a must-see, must-visit community in the metro Denver area.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t know if this is earth-shattering, ground-breaking advice but when asked about lessons I have learned along the way and how challenges were overcome, the first thing that comes to mind is the power of connection with others. NOBODY can have a successful career alone in my opinion. I have been blessed with amazing bosses, mentors, and co-workers throughout my career and I would not be where I am today without that support and guidance. It has been invaluable. I hope that those people just starting out in their careers have this same approach and take full advantage of watching and learning from the “more seasoned” co-workers around them. We are all a product of our collective experience and have so much to share with one another. And, when a lay-off happened (it did for me and probably will for many others) or it was time for a job change, having a group of people that I could reach out to for advice, support and personal outreach to future decision makers (for positions I was applying for) was incredibly helpful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to see and do in the metro area! I have lived in Denver for more than 25 years but I am going to focus my recommendations on the beautiful city of Arvada, where I have worked for the last 11 years promoting it as an amazing community to work, live and play!

I would start by getting a reservation at one of our two full-service hotels (the Hilton Garden Inn or the Residence Inn by Marriott) that are walking distance to our historic dining, shopping and entertainment district, Olde Town Arvada. Olde Town is home to dozens of shops, restaurants, bars and galleries and is the heartbeat of our city. The summers are full of events in Olde Town and it is so convenient to access from downtown Denver via the RTD’s G Line (there is a train stop smack dab in the middle of Olde Town).

A few “musts” in Olde Town: coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters. Lunch at the School House Kitchen and Libations (Arvada’s original school house). Happy Hour at The Bluegrass (they make an amazing Old Fashioned) and dinner at Smokin Fins (all of their sushi is absolutely delicious). A night cap at The Arvada Tavern (the cocktails are a work of art). A stop into Ramah Home for a unique find and if you have a sweet tooth (or even if you don’t!), head to Rheinlander Bakery, a European inspired bakery that has been part of Arvada since 1963.

Around Arvada I would also recommend: on the west side, a stop by West Woods Golf Club (whether you play golf or not!), the views are incredible and the restaurant has delicious offerings. Freedom Street Social food hall is also another west side favorite. They have about 10 concepts under one roof…from pizza to italian ice to sushi to the Argentian influenced concept, Gaucho Parrilla, run by award winning chef, Oscar Padilla (who was featured on the Food Network’s Chopped).

If time allowed, head to the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities to take in one of their national-caliber productions or a concert in their Outdoor Amphitheatre. National acts are booked every summer and it is so much fun.

Last but not least, the City of Arvada manages a 4,200-acre system of parks, open spaces, and trails guided by the Arvada Park System Master Plan. The parks system includes more than 90 neighborhood parks, one within a ten-minute walk of 96% of residents in our community. The sheer beauty and green space of our community is to be enjoyed!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I absolutely believe in giving credit where credit is due! My initial reaction to this question takes me back to my first “real job” in the marketing/public relations/communications industry. I was lucky enough to get a job with the boutique PR firm, Kostka Gleason Communications, owned by a husband and wife team, Billl Kostka and Cynthia Gleason. Bill and Cynthia were accomplished PR professionals and well-respected in the industry. I was hired basically out of college with only internship experience previously. I loved learning from them and their team. It was a tremendous experience on every level – personal and professional. I was there for about seven years. Now, 25 years later, I am still in touch with Cynthia and other co-workers from the firm and we get together several times a year. I love that we have never lost touch and all realize what a fantastic experience it was working together. It was special.

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