Wayne Griffin, president & CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has announced his decision to retire, effective November 30, 2014. His decision was announced to the Chamber’s Board of Directors at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Griffin has been CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber for 26 years. He leads a team of seven with a budget of $1.5 million in marketing the City of Avalon and Catalina Island as a year-round island resort destination.
Wayne Griffin, president & CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has announced his decision to retire, effective November 30, 2014. His decision was announced to the Chamber’s Board of Directors at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Griffin has been CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber for 26 years. He leads a team of seven with a budget of $1.5 million in marketing the City of Avalon and Catalina Island as a year-round island resort destination.
“It has been a true honor to serve the Chamber for the past 26 years,” Griffin said. “Working together with great team members and hundreds of volunteer leaders over the years, the Chamber has made a significant contribution to Avalon’s economy and our Island lifestyle. I am very proud to have played a role in that contribution.”
Griffin started his Catalina Island Chamber career in January of 1988, the same month the first cruise ship arrived in Catalina. Over the years, cruise ship visitation has increased 36% and with the arrival of a second cruise ship this year, it is expected to increase even more.
During Griffin’s tenure, Chamber membership has increased 85% to 250 members. The Chamber’s marketing budget to promote the Island has increased 341%, mainly due Griffin’s efforts to create a partnership with the City of Avalon that allocates 22% of Transient Occupancy Taxes to marketing by the Chamber. The City of Avalon ordinance allocating the marketing funds was approved by Avalon voters in 2000.
During 1998 and 1999, Griffin and Chamber volunteer leaders worked with the City of Avalon to find a solution to Catalina Island Medical Center’s annual deficit. Griffin and then City Manager Rob Clark led the effort to seek voter approval of a ½ percent increase in the local sales tax to erase the Medical Center’s operating loss and keep the facility open. The ballot measure passed in 2000 by an 86% margin.
During his professional career, Griffin earned the Accredited Chamber Executive designation (A.C.E.) from the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) in 1995 and was reaccredited in 2000, 2005 and 2010. Griffin is one of just 47 chamber executives in 18 western states who has earned this professional designation. He served as W.A.C.E.’s Chairman of the Board in 2008 and is a recipient of W.A.C.E.’s Russell E. Pettit Excellence in Leadership Award. Griffin is the co-founding Chair of W.A.C.E.’s Academy, a professional development program for chamber executives and staff. The Western Association of Chamber Executives is the largest association of chamber professionals in the country, with over 800 members in 18 western states.
Griffin is also a past Chair of the California Travel Association (CalTravel), having led that organization in 2001-2002. During his period of leadership, CalTravel became California’s only statewide organization representing the “collective” voice of advocacy for Travel, Tourism & Hospitality.
Griffin is a frequent presenter at chamber and tourism industry events, and is a facilitator of strategic planning sessions for organizations and businesses.
In Avalon, Griffin has served on the boards of the Catalina Island Medical Center and the Catalina Island Museum Society. He is a two time past president of the Rotary Club of Avalon and has been the organist/cantor at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church for almost 30 years. He has been married to his wife, Susie, for 43 years and has two daughters and four grandchildren. In retirement, Griffin and Susie plan to spend a lot more time with those grandchildren.
Kevin Strege, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, will lead a committee of the Chamber’s Board to begin the process of finding Griffin’s successor. The process is expected to take several months. “Griffin’s professional leadership of the Chamber and his stature within the industry has greatly benefited both the organization and the Island. His retirement has been well earned by his many successes. Finding a successor to measure up will be a challenge,” Strege said.
