After 35 years in the tourism industry, Shirley Smith is retiring from her current position as director of sales at the Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Smith has made a name for herself and earned immense amounts of respect not just in Central PA, but in the industry as a whole.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to do these things,” said Smith. “It’s made me appreciate life and appreciate the state of Pennsylvania.”
Smith has been with CPCVB since 1998 and has had the opportunity to help it expand. Her employment with the bureau began when it was located in Bellefonte, then moved with it to South Atherton Street when it changed locations for the first time. Then, it moved again, to its current location across from Beaver Stadium, and she went with it.
She has had the opportunity to be a part of the first State Sports Group, which is now known as PA Sports serving on the board of directors and was honored as the first recipient of the PA Sports Chairman’s Award in 2018, along with other awards throughout her career.
During her time with CPCVB, Smith said she spent a lot of time on the road.
Smith said being on the road for days and weeks at a time will be an unforgettable experience, but the “great feeling of coming home” after a long trip, the tourism industry makes you appreciate what you have right home.
Although retiring, Smith said she will still provide assistance to committees she feels needs her attention. CPCVB has a special sports committee project that will help with youth sports, as well as university and adult sporting events. She said she’ll continue to provide assistance to this committee, and help it move forward.
“I can’t see myself retiring and not doing anything,” she said.
She said she’d like to continue to be involved in the industry while also taking time to spend with her family.
After more than three decades in the industry, she said seeing what she’s accomplished and looking back at the countless people she has met along the way, she several pleasant memories.
Smith said the next generation of the tourism industry has promise, and that the younger generation is looking good. She is excited to see where the industry will go and what is to come in the future.
