The tourism development director for the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce will retire after 18 years, chamber officials have announced.

Lori Burns’ last day will be Sept. 30, according to Penny Chandler, chamber president.

“Lori has been an institution in her role with the chamber,” Chandler said in a news release.

Burns’ replacement will be Susan Hunt, who has been general manager for Vero Fashion Outlets in Vero Beach since March of 2003. She will begin her new position with the Chamber on Oct. 1.

Mary Jayne Kelly, executive director of the Cultural Council, said the community “owes a debt of gratitude to Lori Burns for her dedication to promoting Indian River County as a destination for travelers from all regions of the United States and many foreign countries,” according to the release.

Burns and Kelly attended tourism conferences and worked closely on marketing plans and advertising campaigns. “Lori was treated as a dignitary at every Governor’s Conference on Tourism,” said Kelly. “When attending that event with Lori it was obvious to me that she is well respected and liked.”

Chamber Chairman of the Board Bill Curtis added regarding Burns, “Through her ability to build relationships, Indian River County is on the radar screen of major publications across the United States.”

Burns said that while she is proud of what has been accomplished, she plans to spend more time with her family.

“While leaving is bittersweet, I must say that after working for so many years, being able to watch my granddaughter grow into adulthood, spending quality time with my family, and doing things for myself sounds enticing!” Burns said, according to the release.

Hunt’s interest in tourism began in the late 1970s as a flight attendant. She has spent nearly 30 years working with a number of developers of factory outlet centers, traditional and non-traditional shopping centers.

Prior to her position of general manager at Vero Fashion Outlets, she was corporate director of marketing for New Plan Excel Realty Trust, a large real estate investment trust, where she oversaw the marketing, public relations and tourism programs for over 400 shopping centers. Many of these centers were in tourist destinations.

“I have been a member of the county’s Tourism Development Council for the past three years,” Hunt said, according to the release. “As a TDC member, I made it a personal responsibility to ensure that the local bed tax is used prudently to promote Indian River County as a destination and put heads on beds.”

In her role with Vero Fashion Outlets, Hunt has been an active partner with the chamber’s Tourism Division and has worked directly with Burns.

Sheryl Koenes, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, said that “Sue Hunt has been an active Leader in our community and on the chamber tourism committee for many years. Her extensive marketing background will be of great value to tourism partners in Indian River County.”

Hunt is a graduate of Rutgers University and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ faculty, conducting seminars and classes throughout the United States and Mexico.

According to Chandler, there were a number of very qualified candidates. “Sue’s industry

experience combined with her TDC experience will be a great benefit to the local visitor industry. She will be a tremendous asset to the chamber staff.”

Staff report

Tags: international, marketing, retire, tourism

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