Tourism is the economic engine of Broward County, yet for the past eight years, Visit Lauderdale, under CEO Stacey Ritter, has failed to effectively market our region. Despite a ballooning budget—now at $50 million, up $7 million from last year—Broward’s tourism industry has stagnated while neighboring destinations like Palm Beach and Miami continue to thrive.

 

Why Stacey Ritter Must Be Removed

1. No Tourism or Marketing Experience

• Hired in 2016 with no background in tourism, marketing, or hospitality—only prior experience as a Broward County politician.

• Has since doubled her salary from $169,000 to $350,000 per year, despite a lack of measurable success.

2. Failure to Modernize Broward’s Marketing

• No TikTok presence—while Palm Beach has been on TikTok since 2020, amassing 120,000+ followers and 1 million+ likes.

• Outdated advertising tactics, relying on expensive TV ads and a $1 million Rose Bowl Parade float, while digital platforms that actually drive tourism remain ignored.

• No major brand marketing at FLL Airport, missing the chance to engage 36 million travelers annually before they take an Uber straight to Miami.

3. Wasteful Spending and Political Agendas

• Spent over $1 million on a politically charged ad campaign instead of investing in tourism initiatives.

• Uses public funds to favor politically connected vendors and personal allies, hiring people with no relevant experience in marketing or tourism strategy.

4. Lack of Meaningful Tourism Initiatives

• No support for small businesses or major local arts groups.

• Subpar events (e.g., Visit Lauderdale’s Food & Wine Festival) that fail to attract out-of-state visitors.

• Poor storytelling and lack of creativity in social media marketing.

 

The Consequences of Her Leadership

• Palm Beach and Miami are surging ahead, while Broward is being left behind.

• Tourists pass through but don’t stay, as there’s no strong destination branding.

• Millions of taxpayer dollars are being wasted, with no return on investment.

 

Broward County deserves a tourism leader who understands modern marketing, supports local businesses, and makes smart investments. The time for change is now!

 

We call on Mayor Beam Furr and the Broward County Commission to immediately remove Stacey Ritter as CEO of Visit Lauderdale and bring in a qualified, visionary leader to take our tourism industry into the future.

 

Sign this petition to demand accountability and real change for Broward County’s