We met Tim Brechlin a year or so ago at a tactical planning retreat with the Greater Madison CVB. We stayed connected via Twitter, Facebook, blogs, et.al. And, then hung out with him at this year's simpleview summit where he did a killer karaoke of Cheap Trick's "Surrender."
Cool guy. Lots of fun. But, a strategic re-org at the Bureau meant that his position would be eliminated. We saw him post that he was looking for his next gig. And, then were ecstatic that he landed one.
But...it sadly wouldn't be in Madison.
Re-orgs are a bitch. And, a lot of people that get let go wonder if it was them...or the true needs of the organization. Not Tim.
The following is part of one of the classiest "farewell" posts I've ever seen:
"However, even more importantly for right now, I have to thank Madison.
Not just the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau and my
amazing colleagues there, not just my family and friends here in town,
but Madison itself, and everyone and everything that makes this an
amazing place in which to live, work and play. I was dragged, kicking
and screaming, into moving here, and I never imagined that I would call
this city “home.” And yet now, leaving it is one of the hardest things I
have ever done.
"And so I thank you, Madison. Thank you for being such an amazing
community, from the people to the scenery of the lakes, to the vibrant
arts to the farmers’ market, to the restaurants to … well, you get the
idea. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the team that tells your story 365 days a year.
"The economic impact of tourism each year is staggering:
Every convention and event here, no matter how large or small, brings
temporary taxpayers to the destination, and those taxpayers sleep in our
hotels, eat at our restaurants, drink at our bars, shop at our stores,
and in general spend money here. In the massive engine that we call our economy, tourism isn’t just a spoke in a wheel, it’s an life-essential component — and I am supremely honored to have been a part of Greater Madison’s tourism effort for the past two years."
Tim...we'll miss you in the Mad City. Baltimore has scored a cool new recruit. And, you are a class act to the end.
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