The longtime president and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today he will retire next week.
Serving in the position for 12 years, Ross Summers is slated to retire Oct. 3, according to a news release.
“I’m extremely proud of the outstanding staff we’ve been able to assemble at the chamber and CVB, and I know they’ll be able to carry on the important work for the benefit of the Branson community," Summers said in the release. "The Chamber/CVB is in solid financial position and the recent overwhelming renewal of the (tourism community enhancement district) tax, combined with our selection as the marketing agent for the TCED, leaves the organization well-positioned for the future.”
Board Chairman Steve Critchfield said the chamber will soon form a search committee to choose Summers' successor. Summers has agreed to stay on as a consultant until his replacement is named.
"Ross has done a wonderful job of representing the Branson community over the years, and we hope we can find an individual who will carry on the level of commitment and love of community that he has shown," Critchfield said in the release. “Our board of directors will be assessing our options shortly.
"We know that the head of the Branson chamber and CVB is an attractive and highly visible position, and we expect lots of inquiries about the opening."
With Summers at the helm, the Branson chamber and CVB has helped push tourism in the city, including spending $100,000 a year over the past several years to attract more golfers. To drum up excitement and stretch marketing dollars, the CVB’s effort to grow the Branson name among golfers has included a program to bring golf journalists to town to expose them to the area’s offerings, according to
Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]
