VISIT EVANSVILLE’S JIM WOOD ELECTS TO NOT SEEK CONTRACT RENEWAL

VISIT EVANSVILLE’S JIM WOOD ELECTS TO NOT SEEK CONTRACT RENEWAL

The Evansville/Vanderburgh Convention and Visitors Commission (Visit Evansville) was recently advised that its CEO Jim Wood, who has served Visit Evansville for 2 years throughout the pandemic, is electing to not renew his contract that expires January 15^th, 2022. 

The hospitality industry, which Visit Evansville serves, has experienced among the greatest struggles of any industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This industry has endured governmental shutdowns, lack of business travel, and the inability to hire staffing through 2020 and 2021.  Further, the Covid -19 pandemic caused most conventions on the books to either terminate or reschedule, causing this vital facet of this industry to stall.  This economic impact on this major industry has cost the local economy over $50,000,000 in lost economic benefits.

Mr. Wood has been an outstanding leader to Visit Evansville in this period, helping to transition this organization during these struggling times.  Visit Evansville pivoted towards youth sports at Evansville’s outstanding Deaconess and Goebel Sports Parks in the pandemic.  As a result, Visit Evansville was able to produce among the highest occupancies in its peer group.  Mr. Wood has also put into place, by his experienced leadership, tactics that advanced both staffing and detailed goals and targeting objects for the decade to come.  

Commissioner Chairman, Joey Kiefer stated, “Jim has put us in a fantastic position to succeed going forward and helped navigate us through a horrific pandemic.  He felt as though he had done the most he can under the existing conditions that Evansville offers. 

We respect that and look forward to continuing to move forward and champion Evansville and Vanderburgh County as the desired destination to visit and meet.  The Commission will meet immediately to start the process of filling this CEO position”