Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau Executive Director Wendy Peterson To Step Down in July

SONOMA, Calif. (February 23, 2015) – The Board of Directors of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau has announced that Wendy Peterson plans to retire in July after leading the Sonoma Valley organization as its Executive Director for the past fifteen years. The announcement kicks off a search for Peterson’s successor as she works closely with the Bureau on an orderly transition over the coming months. Peterson’s decision to retire brings to a close a remarkable period of her supporting the Bureau’s 350 member businesses through the organization’s mission of enhancing the economic viability of its members and promoting Sonoma Valley as a visitor destination.

“Over the past fifteen years Wendy has brought unparalleled enthusiasm and energy to her role as Executive Director, advocating for members and ensuring visitors experience the best of Sonoma Valley,” said Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau Board Member Bill Blum, General Manager at MacArthur Place Inn & Spa. “We look forward to building upon the successful partnerships and programs that Wendy helped establish during her tenure. We deeply appreciate all she has done for the Sonoma Valley and wish her the very best.”

Peterson’s announcement comes at the culmination of the 14th annual Sonoma Valley Olive Season that celebrates the olive harvest, showcasing the valley’s second-largest crop with special events, culinary offerings, and Valley-wide promotions. In addition to Olive Season (January, February), Peterson has been instrumental in the creation and development of several Sonoma Valley programs and off-season marketing campaigns such as Girlfriends Getaway Sonoma Valley (March, April) and Holidays in Sonoma (November, December), significantly contributing to the Bureau’s growth over the past fifteen years. Under Peterson’s leadership, the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau operates two “meet and greet” visitor centers – on Sonoma’s historic plaza and at Cornerstone Sonoma – receiving 70,000 walk-in visitors per year. She has also developed a strong team at the Sonoma Valley organization that includes 55 community volunteers in addition to the organization’s 11 staff members.

“It has been a remarkable experience working with the Sonoma Valley community,” said Peterson, “I am most proud of the Bureau’s commitment to customer service excellence, which is at the foundation of our successful partnerships and programs. The Bureau looks forward to building on our foundation with continued momentum in its next phase of growth.”

The Board of Directors has retained Leap Solutions Group, a Sonoma County based consulting firm, to conduct a nationwide Executive Director search to identify Peterson’s successor. Any inquiries about the position should be directed to Leap Solutions at recruit@leapsolutions.com (also posted on Leap’s website at www.leapsolutions.com).

About The Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau

The Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau is a membership organization consisting of more than 350 hospitality related businesses. The Bureau coordinates the collection and dissemination of information about Sonoma Valley to visitors, local residents, travel writers, publications and other interested parties. The Bureau operates two visitor centers, which are open year-round, seven days a week to welcome visitors to Sonoma Valley.

For information on Sonoma Valley, please call the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau toll free (866) 996-1090 or visit www.sonomavalley.com. For maps, guides, and touring instructions, stop by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau (23570 Arnold Drive at Cornerstone Sonoma or on the Sonoma Plaza at 453 First Street East).

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Media contacts: Heidi Pettit, Evan Nicholson, Elizabeth Montana or Tish Gallegos at Glodow Nead Communications, (415) 394-6500 or SVVBPR@glodownead.com.