The Cincinnati USA CVB announced the retirement of President and CEO Dan Lincoln, effective Dec. 31, 2017. At press time, the CVB said it had engaged Searchwide, a national search firm, to replace Lincoln.
Current Chief Operating Officer Mike Laatsch will serve as the interim CEO of the CVB until a successor is named.
“In his 11 years as president and CEO, Dan has led the CVB with a rare combination of long-term strategic vision, an uncanny ability to bring people together and an infectious passion for Cincinnati,” said Jim McGraw, chair of the board of directors for the CVB. “His track record of innovation, impact and influence has left an indelible mark, and our organization is positioned for continued success.”
Lincoln decided to retire due to a medical issue, according to a press release from the CVB.
“My retirement will give me more time to focus on my family and my health,” Lincoln said in regard to his decision. “While my condition has made it difficult for me to be as active as I would like, it will never rob me of my spirit or my love of my CVB family, industry colleagues or this great city that I feel passionate about.”
A 34-year veteran of the tourism industry, Lincoln was named CEO of the Cincinnati USA CVB in 2006 and is largely credited with recrafting its business strategy and guiding the CVB in its mission to build the region’s visitor economy.
During Lincoln’s tenure as president and CEO, Cincinnati hosted more than 3.3 million convention delegates who spent more than $990 million in the Cincinnati region, including 2.5 million contracted hotel room nights. Lincoln helped draw in the NAACP Convention in 2008 and 2016 and the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
“It has been an indescribable honor to lead the CVB during the rebirth and renaissance of Cincinnati,” Lincoln said, reflecting on his time there. “The most rewarding part is that it’s been a total team effort, from my incredible colleagues at the [CVB] to the visionary government and business leaders I’ve had the privilege to work with as partners. Together, we’ve made so much progress revitalizing and reenergizing our region.I can’t wait to see the breakthroughs and milestones that are just around the next bend.”