Listen to this articleKristen Reynolds, the president and CEO of Discover Long Island, is leaving the destination-marketing organization to lead Choose Chicago.
Reynolds will begin serving as president and CEO of Choose Chicago, the city’s destination-marketing organization, on May 5.
The Discover Long Island Board of Directors is gearing up to begin its search for Reynold’s successor. Board Chair Mitch Pally will serve as interim director starting April 25.
“As we celebrate Kristen’s extraordinary contributions to Discover Long Island and congratulate her on this new journey, we remain steadfast in our mission to champion this incredible destination,” Pally said in a news release about Reynold’s departure.
“The organization is in the midst of a strong year, and we are committed to maintaining the momentum, driving economic impact, and ensuring that Suffolk County, Long Island remains a top destination to live, work, and play,” Pally added. “Our dedicated team has not skipped a beat, and our valued partners can rest assured that Discover Long Island will continue to innovate, evolve, and deliver at the highest level.”
Reynolds began her tenure on Long Island in 2015. The organization rebranded to Discover Long Island from its former moniker, the Long Island Convention + Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission. In the last 10 years, tourism spending on Long Island has increased by $2 billion, currently standing at $7.5 billion, according to data from Tourism Economics, released in August.
“Leading Discover Long Island has been an absolute honor, and I am incredibly proud of the record-breaking and award-winning results we’ve achieved over the past 10 years,” Reynolds said in the news release.
“I moved here from Arizona with my two young daughters who are now off to college but will always call Long Island home,” she added. “I can’t thank the board, the team and the community enough for embracing us as a family and me as an industry leader. While I could not be more excited to take the helm at Choose Chicago to lead one of the nation’s most iconic and vibrant destinations, Long Island will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Reynolds “is a proven leader in the tourism industry and we welcome her to Chicago. With major global events on the horizon and our city continuing to break tourism records, Kristen’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening Chicago’s position as a top destination for visitors, conventions and business investment,” Brandon added.
In 2024, Chicago saw historic hotel revenue and tax collections while earning Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Big City in the U.S.” title for an eighth consecutive year, according to the news release.
“Tourism is a critical part of Illinois’ economic success, and I’m excited to see how Kristen’s leadership at Choose Chicago will further elevate our state’s standing on the global stage,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in the news release. “I look forward to working together to promote Chicago and Illinois as premier destinations for travelers, businesses and world-class events.”
Those who worked with Reynolds on Long Island say her efforts made a difference in the region.
“Kristen is one of the brightest, most creative, and hardest working professionals I have ever known, a true powerhouse of talent and poise,” Long Island Association President & CEO Matt Cohen said in the news release.
“She brought extensive expertise from her time in Arizona to swiftly acclimate to her new environs and become an effective and widely respected regional leader,” he added.
“Under Kristen’s stewardship, Discover Long Island was transformed into a dynamic and influential 21st century organization that prioritized accountability and results,” Cohen said. “Long Island’s loss is Chicago’s gain, but she is leaving us with a legacy of achievements that advanced economic development and boosted Long Island’s $7.5 billion tourism industry.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
