Building a strong foundation for leadership at Visit Sarasota County with Erin Duggan

August 29, 2024

Erin Duggan is president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, a position she was appointed to after 18 years with the organization. Prior to being named CEO, Duggan was public relations manager, brand director and vice president.

Together, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Erin talk about her leadership lessons working in several different positions at VSC, what she learned from her mentors and how, as a new CEO, she’s finding her own leadership style — and staying away from micromanaging.

3 Takeaways

(05:45) Tourism is the front door of economic development
(11:50) You have got to hire the right people and let them do their thing
(19:45) There is no comfort in growth and no growth in comfort

Timestamps

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:25) Introducing Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County
(03:25) How did you get into Visit Sarasota?
(05:35) When did you know you wanted to grow your career at Visit Sarasota?
(09:05) What have you learned about leadership being the CEO?
(11:10) How do you build trust with your employees?
(15:05) Best part of being a leader
(18:10) Least favorite part of being a leader
(19:30) Leadership advice
(22:55) Mentors and what you learned from them
(26:00) Rapid fire questions

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