TAKE FIVE “The world spins faster when you’re in a big chair.” By John Sprecher
Tamara Pigott serves as Executive Director of the Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau — the woman at the helm of the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, the brand name for the primary economic driver called tourism here in Southwest Florida. Since her appointment in 2010, her leadership — including changes in both organizational approach and branding-marketing partnerships — has resulted in record-setting tax revenues annually. As the number one destination in America, tourism is high-stakes business in Florida — and virtually every county in the state aggressively chases their piece of what today represents an almost $75 billion pie. Beyond the pressures of competition, VCB leaders must answer to a wide constituency (from public policymakers to hoteliers to Joe and Jane Citizen), each with their own agenda. With each issue, COASTE’s “Take Five” will pose 10 questions to a community leader that have not been shared with the subject. We present five of her answers here, and invite you to read (or video view) her entire interview. Here are Tam’s takes on the state of tourism in Lee County — and why all of us who live here, work here and love it here have a lot to be excited about.
36
Made with FlippingBook Annual report