Atlanta, GA – After 17 years at the helm of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spurgeon Richardson, president & CEO, today announced plans to retire when his contract expires at the end of the year. The 66-year-old said he plans to go sky-diving. “I don’t want to be one of those retirees who just say they will spend more time with their family or go traveling – I am planning to jump out of a plane.”
Richardson has seen the inside of many planes during his career. He is the former chair of IACVB (now DMAI – Destination Marketing Association International) and numerous other organizations. The Atlanta CVB won Meetings & Conventions magazine’s Gold Service Award 16 years in a row under his tenure; was the first to start a cultural tourism department and Cultural Tourism Foundation; was the first to develop a diversity program; and launched the first destinations web site. Atlanta also bid on and hosted the 1986 Olympics during his tenure. Prior to joining the ACVB, Richardson headed up Six Flags in Atlanta.
Despite his retirement, Richardson said he would continue to be active in the hospitality industry.
A Search Committee to fill his position will be headed by former bureau chair Michael Robison, president of Lanier Parking Co.
Reach Spurgeon at (404) 521-6604or srichardson@atlanta.net
