Warren County Tourism Director Announces Retirement
Joanne Conley has worked 41 years for Warren County
When Joanne Conley took a job with the Warren County Tourism Department as a tourism specialist in 1981, geofencing social media advertising to attract visitors would have sounded like something from a science fiction movie.
41 years later, after seeing the Warren County Tourism Department ride wave after wave of technology and media changes to keep visitors coming to Warren County, Conley has announced her intention to retire, effective May 31st. A search for Conley’s replacement will begin immediately.
Conley started in an entry level position in the Tourism Department fresh out of college and worked her way up to become Warren County’s Tourism Director for the last 6-1/2 years. She also serves as President of Adirondack Regional Tourism Council and vice president of the New York State Travel Industry Association.
Discussing her decision to retire, Conley said:
“It has been my absolute pleasure to work for Warren County for the past 41 years. I truly enjoy all that Warren County and each of our communities has to offer. That’s the part that makes the job so rewarding.
I have literally been to all corners of our county, from events like the Smoke Eaters Jamboree and Maple Days, hiking Potash Mountain or cycling around Brant Lake, working toward the Letterbox Challenge and the Chester Challenge, paddling Northwest Bay or listening to Jazz at the Lake. My husband has been known to say on many occasions as we head out the door for a day’s adventure, that I am always ‘on the job.’
In the time I have been Director of the Tourism Department, we have branded the Lake George Area as the “Original Vacation” destination; our website and television commercials have won industry awards; our decision-making has become increasingly more data driven; our social media presence has grown significantly to high levels of consumer engagement. When a health crisis struck, we worked with local government and community partners to provide a safe vacation destination. And in an effort to make Warren County a year-round vacation destination, we coordinated to bring a significant winter attraction to the area.
I’ve met hundreds of local business owners, officials, co-workers at the county and countless visitors over the years. And I’ve had the pleasure of working with a team of dedicated tourism professionals in the Tourism Department. I am grateful and thankful for this opportunity and privilege to serve Warren County, and promote the Lake George Area as an iconic vacation destination!
Said Kevin Geraghty, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors: “Joanne has done an outstanding job with our Tourism Department in a variety of roles over the years, but her efforts to help our tourism-based economy have two successful years attracting visitors during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic were truly outstanding. Joanne will leave some big shoes to fill, but we wish her the best for a long, happy and healthy retirement.”
Said Gene Merlino, Lake Luzerne Supervisor and Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors Tourism Committee: “Joanne’s dedication to tourism in Warren County has been unsurpassed, and that shows in the results we have seen the past few years, as our metrics show growing visitor numbers and major headway to a year-round tourism industry. We wish her the best during her well-earned retirement.”
Those seeking information on Warren County employment should go to our jobs website at warrencountyny.gov/vaf. The Tourism Director job will be posted in the coming days.
###