So goes the classic song from the Glimmer Twins...which is how many in Florida (and the Destination Marketing world at large) felt earlier this month when the Broward County Administrator selected a sitting County Commissioner for the top spot at the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, instead of someone with DMO experience.
Part of the dilemma facing the Administrator was Florida's insanely backwards Sunshine Laws that inhibit good candidates from applying for DMO jobs. Part of it was politics. And part of it, as noted in a recent Sun Sentinel editorial, is a flawed process.
But, as the lyric continues, "you might find you get what you need."
Most of us don't live in Broward County. Thus, while we may think they need an accomplished Destination Sales and Marketing pro, the truth is that they may not. Maybe they needed someone at the helm who could continue to steer the organization and the industry through the shark-infested waters of County politics...something her predecessor did exceptionally well.
It's a highly politicized world in which DMO pros must navigate, something I shouldn't have to remind anybody in this space. Indeed, I was selected to lead the Greater Madison CVB 26 years ago, not for my knowledge of convention sales but, for my ability to get bills passed in the State Legislature. Madison was approaching a referendum fight to build a convention center and they needed someone with political experience to help guide the process from the DMO side.
Stacy Ritter may be exactly what is needed in Fort Lauderdale and, as the Sun Sentinel said, "We wish Stacy success in her new role. We count on her to deliver results."
Welcome to our world, Stacy.
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