In 2016, Stacy Ritter was named president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Broward County, Florida. As CEO, she’s responsible for the administration of the bureau, formerly known as the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. The bureau is based in Fort Lauderdale with multiple domestic and international offices. The permanent staff is comprised of a 45-person organization of sales and marketing professionals with a $24 million operating budget.

The organization provides sales and marketing development for leisure, international, sports, convention and group sales. The CVB also focuses its efforts on behalf of the county for multicultural tourism, LGBT+ development, film and entertainment, as well as national and international advertising and public relations.

Ritter is also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions so you can get to know her better.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently? 
    I’m a history nerd. I read “Grant” by Ron Chernow and learned a lot about leadership.
  2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
    Ensuring we get together once a week to reconnect and have a laugh.
  3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career? 
    Trying to make change too quickly without laying a proper foundation.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge? 
    Everyone looks to you for answers, but often the best course of action is someone else’s idea.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    Letting them know they’re valued and appreciated, and the occasional run to Krispy Kreme for everyone.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    Hillary Clinton. She accepted her loss and came out of it stronger and more admired than before.
  7. What are you looking forward to the most for the travel and hospitality industry? 
    Changing the business model coming out of the pandemic
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Open to change and unafraid to express an opinion
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year? 
    I’m more creative than I thought.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast? 
    American History Tellers
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity, passion, commitment, courage
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you? 
    I lead with courage and without fear.
  13. What’s one habit you adopted while working from home that you kept/would like to keep with you as you return to the office? 
    Better time management
  14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence? 
    I’m a strong, opinionated woman who loves to shop.
  15. What’s your favorite app?
    Twitter
  16. What do you do to recharge? 
    Taking a ride on the Peloton
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment? 
    Winning my first election as the underdog
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Don’t wait for “your turn.” Do whatever it is on your timetable.
  19. What gets you up in the morning? 
    My dogs. Ugh, they are up so early!
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality? 
    Learning from and interacting with women who have similar struggles and successes.

If you would like to become a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member or need additional information about our organization, click here.