San Francisco -- John Marks, who has led this city's convention bureau since 1987, plans to step down as the bureau's president and chief executive on June 30 of next year.
A major figure in the hospitality industry for more than a generation, Marks wrote in his retirement letter to members, "I have enjoyed 18 exciting and rewarding years with the bureau, and more than 37 years in the tourism industry.
"I have no intention of remaining idle," added Marks, who will turn 65 years old in May. "I plan to put my experience and contacts to good use, just not at a 60-hour-a-week pace."
"The quality of John's leadership has been a perfect match to the task of selling this remarkable place," said Rick Swig, chairman of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau and president of RSBA & Associates. "Finding the right person to fill his shoes presents a significant challenge."
Marks' involvement in industry organizations include the following: national chairman of the Travel Industry Association of America in 2003, chairman of the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus for 1988-89, vice-chairman of the American Society of Association Executives (now ASAE and The Center) for 1996-97, and board member of the Professional Convention Management Association Foundation for 1992-1993.
Marks received ASAE's Key Award in 1998 and was twice named one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry by MeetingNews.
From 1982 until his appointment to the San Francisco Bureau, Marks was president and chief executive of the Phoenix & Valley of the Sun Convention & Visitors Bureau. Prior to that, he held posts as chief executive of the Arizona Office of Tourism and Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.
With 1,700 members, 70 staff members, and an annual budget of $14 million, the San Francisco bureau is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country.
This year, the bureau expects to book more than two million confirmed group room nights for future years.