Chamber names new CEO

The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and the CEO Search Committee reported recently that Jim Luttjohann, of the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, has accepted its offer of employment as the Chamber’s next president and CEO.

Luttjohann succeeds Wayne Griffin, who earlier this year announced his retirement effective Nov. 30. Luttjohann starts his new job on Nov. 10.

Luttjohann has over 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, marketing, sales, public relations and operations. 

The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and the CEO Search Committee reported recently that Jim Luttjohann, of the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, has accepted its offer of employment as the Chamber’s next president and CEO.

Luttjohann succeeds Wayne Griffin, who earlier this year announced his retirement effective Nov. 30. Luttjohann starts his new job on Nov. 10.

Luttjohann has over 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, marketing, sales, public relations and operations. 

His past work experiences include his most recent position as the executive director of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Convention & Visitors Bureau, the executive director of the Ventura, California Visitors & Convention Bureau and the director of Operations at the Ventura Music Festival Association. 

For the last two years, Luttjohann was the executive director of the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau which included the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. 

During his tenure he developed and executed a multi-year strategic plan, undertook significant reorganization and streamlining of policies and procedures.

Duties included oversight of Destination Marketing, Convention Center, Arts Commission, the Film Office and the city’s Occupancy Tax Advisory Board.

For eight years, Luttjohann was the executive director of the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau. 

In that time he led the organization through a comprehensive re-branding process, strategic planning processes, expanded operations, including the development of two new Visitors Centers and a Film Office and secured a multi-year contract with the City of Ventura.

Under his direction the organization received numerous awards for its innovative programs and graphic designs.

Luttjohann has served as a board/council member of CalTravel, Ventura County Lodging Allianc, the Central Coast Tourism Council and as the Ventura Chamber of Commerce liaison.

Additional board service included many years with both The Ventura Music Festival Association and Downtown Ventura Organization where he was a founding board member, 10 years on the city of Ventura’s Cultural Affairs Commission and over ten years of service on the board of the organization he later directed—the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau. Luttjohann has also served on the boards of the Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the Tourism Association of New Mexico and New Mexico State Tourism’s Region Five.

“We think Jim’s previous experience with destination marketing organizations makes him a perfect fit for the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce” states Kevin Strege, immediate past chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and chair of the CEO Search Committee.

Luttjohann will relocate to Avalon in November and he will begin his duties at the Chamber on Monday, Nov. 10. 

His partner, Steve Eddy, and their high school exchange student from Norway will be joining Luttjohann in Avalon in January.