Fort Lauderdale CVB Names Ritter As CEO

Stacy Ritter will lead Fort Lauderdale’s tourism bureau.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has named Stacy Ritter as president and CEO, replacing Nicki Grossman who retired on June 1 after serving in the post for 21 years.

Ritter, a long-time Broward County resident and former county commissioner, takes the helm, as Greater Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of an economic development boom with an influx of affluent visitors driving more than $1 billion in new hotel and condo investment in the destination. Fort Lauderdale reported a record-breaking 15.4 million tourists who spent $ 14.2 billion annually last year. The destination has set a goal of 16 million visitors in 2017.

In her new role, Ritter will oversee a 45-person organization with a $24 million operating budget, providing sales and marketing development that spans leisure, international, sports and convention, and group sales, multicultural and LGBTQ development, film and entertainment as well as national and international advertising and public relations.  

Ritter was elected to the Broward County Commission in November of 2006,  and was also elected mayor in 2008. She also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2004, representing the 96th District.  As mayor, she was instrumental in pushing for improvements at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.