Colorado Tourism Office Launches the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey

Applications Now Accepted Through July 31

DENVER (June 22, 2017) – The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) today announced the launch of the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey, a brand-new, yearlong leadership program for high-potential middle managers with a commitment to a career in tourism and a passion for sharing the Colorado experience.

The inaugural class of 20 participants is set to be inducted into a one-year leadership experience at the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference Oct. 25-27 in Grand Junction. Candidates and employers can learn more about applying for the tuition-based program at industry.colorado.com/colorado-tourism-leadership-journey.

“In a state where one of every nine jobs is tourism-related, we have a real opportunity to build Colorado’s competitive advantage by fostering leadership talent and creating a growing force of professionals equipped to lead others well,” said Cathy Ritter, director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “These 20 participants are embarking on a journey that will not only enhance their careers, but serve their employers and help activate the full potential of our tourism industry.”

To lead the program, CTO has engaged the Keystone Policy Center, a public policy group with offices in Keystone, Denver and Washington, D.C. Under the guidance of the CTO and a statewide Leadership Committee, Keystone is designing a curriculum that encompasses facilitated sessions, required reading, one-on-one mentoring, action learning projects and experiential learning opportunities in five different Colorado locations.

Ritter began taking steps to create the leadership program, with the support of the Colorado Tourism Board, in part to address concerns that a pending wave of retirements could leave a void of leadership in Colorado’s rapidly growing hospitality industry.

The planning process began in November 2016 under the guidance of an 18-member advisory group chaired by Colorado Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne. The group, representing academic and industry professionals, guided the CTO in shaping the program.

The program is aimed at people seeking to advance their ability to serve as effective leaders in a tourism setting. For employers, it is a cost-effective means for developing, rewarding and retaining top talent. Tuition of $2,500 covers all program educational experiences as well as registration for two successive Governor’s Tourism Conferences. Travel expenses are not included, and limited scholarships are available.

For those interested in learning more about the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey, the CTO is hosting two free webinar open houses, one from 9am-10am on Wednesday, June 28, and one from noon-1pm on Thursday, July 13. The CTO will be taking applications through July 31, with a selection committee conducting virtual interviews in August and all participants notified by Sept. 1.

Hospitality ranks as Colorado’s third-largest job provider, following health care/social services and retail trade, based on EMSI data. Dean Runyan & Associates reported in July 2016 that Colorado travelers generated more than 160,000 jobs in 2015. Tourism Economics found that tourism and hospitality-related job growth outpaced every other traded cluster in the U.S. between 1998 and 2013, creating a net 331,700 new jobs nationally.

Members of the CTO Leadership Committee are as follows:

Chair Ian Steyn, co-founder of Cruise Inn RV Parks; Member, Colorado Tourism Board
Vice-Chair Jesse True, Senior Vice President, Copper Mountain Resort; Member, Colorado Tourism Board
Mark Gasta, Associate Professor, Masters of Tourism Management, Colorado State University
Doug Price, President & CEO, Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
Amie Mayhew, President & CEO, Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association
State Rep. Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale), Member, Colorado Tourism Board
Sandra Haynes, Deputy Provost, Academic and Student Affairs, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Meera Rosser, Corporate Marketing Director, Jacobs Entertainment Inc.
Pam Denahy, Director of Tourism & Events, City of La Junta; past chair of Canyons & Plains

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Media Contacts: Carly Holbrook, [email protected], 720-289-9366

Kirstin Graber, [email protected], 303-892-3871