The city’s service industry took center stage Wednesday as The Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau held its annual meeting.
Billed as a time to reflect on a successful 2004-05, events including the Super Bowl were highlighted.
“This time last year I think it’s safe to say that all of us were pretty focused on that,” said City Council President Kevin Hyde, the meeting’s keynote speaker. “And now that we look back, we can recognize that it was a successful event from many different angles. It brought together our service industry and really our entire community.
“I know I still have my volunteer shirt and hat.”
The meeting also marked the end of Margo Dundon’s term as CVB chair. Dundon, president of the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, is succeeded by M.G. Orender of Hampton Golf.
John Reyes, who was hired as president of the CVB in February, said Dundon was instrumental in helping him become acclimated to Jacksonville.
“The number of challenges Margo faced this year, from the loss of former CVB president Kitty Ratcliffe to our involvement in Super Bowl 39, might have been overwhelming for someone without her leadership strength and dedication to the mission of this organization,” said Reyes. “She has been a tremendous source of support since I arrived in Jacksonville and continues to provide significant direction for the future of the tourism industry in Northeast Florida.”