AMERICAS – Tourism Vancouver‘s President and CEO Rick Antonson is to leave in June 2014 to become a full-time book author.
“We began planning this over two years ago at Rick’s request, so the transition is strategic,” said Tourism Vancouver Board Chairman, Bob Lindsay. “Tourism Vancouver and our industry are heading into some of the most exciting and successful years, so the timing for this transition is good.”
Antonson said: “I’ve always seen myself in this role as like the third runner in a four-lap relay. If you want to be on the winning team, it’s all about the next runner and that means the handover has to be perfect. Management and the board have lots of time to plan this transition, so it will go smoothly and set up the organisation and our tourism industry for continued successes with the new CEO.”
Lindsay noted that under Antonson’s leadership, Tourism Vancouver has played a significant role in shaping Vancouver’s future. Tourism Vancouver launched the bid for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where Antonson served as Games Ambassador. Tourism Vancouver also initiated the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Taskforce, which led to the new centre that is partially funded by Tourism Vancouver’s CAN$90m (US$86m) investment.
A range of programmes began during Antonson’s watch, including the organisation’s partnership with the City of Vancouver on Keep Vancouver Spectacular, an annual clean-up initiative now in its 19th year and creating Tickets Tonight, which sells over $3.5m in performing arts and event tickets each year.
Antonson has also chaired Destination Marketing Association International, served as Deputy Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association; was a founding board member of the Canadian Tourism Commission; and is currently President of Pacific Coast Public Broadcasting.
Antonson will remain as CEO until June 2014 or until such time as his successor has been hired. Tourism Vancouver has retained he executive search firm Odgers Berndtson to conduct an international search for the organisations next President and CEO. The Board of Directors has established a search committee to oversee the selection process.
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