Page 32 - LOBI0923

Visit Lauderdale continued

it didn’t speak to who we are. As we evolve into a luxury communities, says Ritter. Putting it into financial numbers, she
destination, which is where we’re headed, we needed to says the cancelations have resulted in about 15,000 lost hotel
capture the relevance of the community and how special room nights and has an estimated $20 million economic impact.
they are.”
“We are a liberal county in a conservative state,” Ritter says.
And so far it’s working. In 2022, Broward County generated “It’s even more important to us to further our Everyone Under
nearly $127 million in annual tax revenue, a record for the the Sun campaign because if we are going to talk about how
area. Ritter feels that the possibilities are only getting better as diverse we are and how welcoming we are, we need to show
the region continues to develop its attractions. For example, that Greater Fort Lauderdale is exactly that.”
when the revamped Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward Politics are nothing that Ritter isn’t accustomed to after her
County Convention Center opens in 2025, Ritter believes the previous career in government. Before she joined the CVB in
expanded structure could bring in bigger conferences and 2016, Ritter served as an elected Broward County commissioner
meetings, which would generate more revenue for the city.
from November 2006 until June 2016, representing the 3rd
“It’s going to be huge,” she says of the estimated $1.5 billion District, and served as mayor of the county in 2008 to 2009.
remake of the convention center. “With it, we can now As mayor, she encouraged the county to consider improvements
compete with the Austins, Nashvilles and Atlantas of the world at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, including
for convention shows.” the expansion of the south runway. Today, that runway and the
Once completed, the convention center is predicted to be a terminal improvements are attracting new airline service and
game changer for larger-scale meetings and conventions, stimulating record-breaking passenger traffic. Prior to serving in
thanks to its newly created 1.2 million square feet, which Broward County government, Ritter was a member of the Florida
includes a new 65,000-square-foot waterfront ballroom, House of Representatives from 1996 to 2004, representing the
enhanced water taxi access and a waterfront plaza with 96th District.
entertainment programming and public access. There’s also In addition to her elected official work, Ritter is a community
a proposed 800-room luxury hotel, adding ease and comfort activist who has worked with the National Council of Jewish
to traveling meeting goers. In total, the project is expected to Women. She is also an inductee to the Broward County
create more than 1,000 full- and part-time local jobs. Women’s Hall of Fame, and has been named Woman of
the Year by the American Jewish Congress and a First Lady
Despite the upswing in tourist amenities, Ritter is aware of
the challenges that the CVB faces. Some are cyclical, such as of Broward. She has also been recognized as one of the
hurricane season, the time frame that has seen mother nature 100 Outstanding Women by the Boys and Girls Club. Other
upend Florida’s coastline with heavy wind and rain. significant honors and awards she’s received in her current
position include: South Florida 250 Power Leaders - South
“We all hold our breaths for six months, Ritter says. “Even as Florida Business Journal, 2022; Ally Award - Stonewall
a resident. We also know that when the media starts talking Museum & Archives, 2022; Influential Business Woman
about the tropic depression headed our way from off of - South Florida Business Journal, 2021; Captain’s Award -
Africa, people from around the world are wondering if they Winterfest, 2023; and Diversity and Inclusion Award - South
should cancel their trip to Fort Lauderdale.” Florida Business & Wealth, 2023.
In addition to mother nature, Ritter says the CVB also faces a When asked if she feels any of her immediate challenges are
different kind of storm: the current political climate. At least 10 insurmountable, Ritter’s response is unwavering and steadfast.
meetings or conventions have been canceled or relocated due “It’s like a sports team: You play to your strengths. What
to new bills signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron makes this place so strong is the people who live here. That
DeSantis that affect education, and the Black and LGBTQ+ will always be our strongest amenity.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nila Do Simon is a writer and editor for various publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue.com, Elle.
com, The New York Times, Garden & Gun and Marie Claire. She spent 15 years in the magazine newsroom,
editing for city/regional lifestyle magazines in South Florida. Along the way, she picked up recognitions for
feature writing, headline writing and best new magazine from the Florida Magazine Association.

30

8/24/23 10:08 PM
LOBI 0923.indd 30
LOBI 0923.indd 30 8/24/23 10:08 PM