The tourism industry is not a greatly publicized career avenue. Most people think tourism means working at the front desk at a hotel or grabbing beach towels for visitors on a cruise ship. And nothing could be further from the truth!
Last year, when I told my family that I had accepted the position of Executive Director at Visit Greater Lima, I was met with mostly blank looks, light congratulations and loads of questions such as, “So what will you do?” and “What do THEY do?” My husband told his friends that I “pass out pamphlets. You know, like to visitors.” So obviously I didn’t explain my role very well to him either. And now I’m the “pamphlet lady” or “event coordinator” in that group of friends.
So, what does the Executive Director of Visit Greater Lima do? All the things! I have the honor of leading a team of enthusiastic, welcoming ladies who love to serve their community by promoting what our community has to offer. As Lima-Allen County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Greater Lima markets our community, our businesses, our venues, our museums, our attractions, our industries, our hotels, our restaurants, our parks, our villages and smaller towns, and so much more. Through a combination of advertising, social media campaigns, spearheading grant programs, public speaking engagements, managing our website, fostering key partnerships, and actively participating in board meetings, I've built a job that I truly love.
Recently, the team redeveloped our in-office merch store, as well as an online version for local and visiting shoppers to take a piece of Lima home with them or share with friends and former Lima residents. Creating merchandise was a new avenue of creativity for me, and the team curated amazing styles for you to shop online or in our office! Who knew there were so many different tee shirt styles, fabrics, and choices to make? We are grateful to Proforma Add-A-Line for their invaluable assistance in navigating this process.
Probably my favorite function as ED is going to amazing places in our community to find out firsthand what is happening. Often, I can connect organizations with others who are working on the same kind of projects so that they can combine resources and create something even more special. I recently visited the Delphos Canal Commission Museum for the first time, and I was so impressed with their displays and attention to details. It’s a fantastic little treasure in our county.
Oh, and I also math. It’s kind of a joke around the office, but I math a lot. Percentages and decimals are part of my daily tasks, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. For us to do the fun things, someone must do the math. I’m sure all my math teachers everywhere just cringed.
Yes, I do have pamphlets, visitor guides, and tchotchkes all over my office, but what I really have is a dedicated team of hospitality and marketing professionals who represent Lima and all of Allen County on a daily basis.
Want to learn more about what we do at Visit Greater Lima? Stop by our office or check out our website at visitgreaterlima.com
Comentários