Orlando -- Bill Peeper, the longest-sitting president of a convention bureau, today announced that he will retire from the Orlando bureau at the end of this year.
Under Peeper's leadership, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau became operational in July 1984 and has developed from a staff of two employees to a 150 people at present, with convention-sales and tourism offices in five countries.
"It has been an honor serving at the helm of this great organization and seeing it grow and thrive to meets its mission of economic development within the community," said Peeper.
"Bill has been a consummate professional, a stalwart leader in the industry and a mentor to many, including myself," said Orlando bureau board chairman Mark McHugh, who will spearhead the search for Peeper's successor.
Prior to coming to Orlando, in May of 1981, Peeper served as president of the Greater Hartford convention bureau. He also served for six years at the New Orleans Tourist & Convention Commission. He began his career in 1970 at the Dayton (Ohio) Area Chamber of Commerce.
An industry leader, Peeper serves as treasurer of the Travel Industry Association of America and is a former chairman of Destination Marketing Association International. He also served in leadership roles for many national professional organizations, including the Professional Convention Management Association and the Convention Industry Council.