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SCVA President/CEO retiring

Posted 10/29/24

SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (“SCVA”) would like to announce that Roberta Byron-Lockwood, longtime President and CEO of the Association, will be …

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SCVA President/CEO retiring

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SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (“SCVA”) would like to announce that Roberta Byron-Lockwood, longtime President and CEO of the Association, will be retiring in February of next year. Roberta’s service to the SCVA and Sullivan County extends beyond two decades of unparalleled leadership and vision.

 “Roberta led the SCVA through some of the County’s hardest times,” said Eric Frances, Chair of the SCVA and CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. “While she will be sorely missed, and we have very large shoes to fill, Roberta has positioned the SCVA for so many of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

 Tourism in Sullivan County supports nearly 5,000 jobs countywide, representing 15 percent of all employment. Travelers spend over $900 million annually in Sullivan County, generating crucial state and local tax revenue, representing 17 percent of the county’s revenue. The SCVA started in June of 2000 with a handful of members and a modest budget. As the destination expanded its offerings and focused marketing efforts on the destination’s assets, the support of the SCVA has increased to over 700 members that provide the fuel for the tourism-based economy.

 “The growth in tourism throughout my tenure at the SCVA is a testament to the strength of the membership, businesses, and accommodations that worked tirelessly to redevelop the region that I will forever love,” says Roberta Byron-Lockwood. “I am so proud of our accomplishments and know that we made significant progress from when I first arrived here many years ago. We have grown visitor spending from $300 million in 2008 to nearly $1 billion in 2023. As I prepare to retire, I am amazed by what we have created and still see so much potential for our beloved Sullivan Catskills.”

Byron-Lockwood also guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. As several sectors of the tourism industry saw drastic declines, Sullivan County experienced unprecedented growth as consumer confidence soared after the crisis.

 “I am thrilled that Roberta will finally get to enjoy some well-deserved time with her family after working assiduously to promote New York destinations throughout her career,” said Scott Samuelson, Vice Chair of the SCVA and Chief Operating Officer of The Eldred Preserve. “Roberta was instrumental in so many of the recent milestones of our County. When she arrived, it was inconceivable that we would see five-star accommodations and world-class attractions emerge out of the ashes of this once depressed area.”

SCVA has retained SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm that specializes in C-level positions in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management, and experiential marketing industries. The search for SCVA’s new President and CEO will begin with a detailed needs assessment led by SearchWide Global. Inquiries should be directed to Kellie Henderson, henderson@searchwideglobal.com.

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