Experience Grand Rapids President and CEO Doug Small plans to retire in June 2027, after nearly 20 years leading the city’s tourism marketing firm formerly known as the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Small stated, “I have had the privilege of leading this organization through a period of unprecedented growth, and I am incredibly proud of what the team at Experience Grand Rapids has built – for this organization, our partners, and for our community.”
Under Small’s leadership, EXGR drove consistent growth in visitors and hotel room sales, achieving record results nearly every year for the past 14 years, generating billions in regional economic impact.
Small will remain on as president and CEO through next June, when the organization celebrates its Centennial Celebration, where he will formally pass leadership to his successor.
The EXGR board is forming a committee to work with an executive search firm to find its next president.
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