Having led Emporia’s Convention and Visitors Bureau for years and being part of the Chamber and Visitors Bureau for over 27 years, Susan Rathke plans to become a tourist herself.
Rathke announced her retirement plans Monday and joined KVOE’s Morning Show on Tuesday for an interview. She says last year was a “catalyst” for her as she considered retirement with several health changes and a lot of working from home. She says it will be tough for her to put an end to her career, but she says she is proud of what the department and the city have accomplished. She also says there are several keys to a good tourism atmosphere.
Much of the CVB’s work goes behind the scenes, but its marketing materials are regular winners at the Travel Industry Association of Kansas annual conference.
Rathke’s retirement is effective Jan. 29. The Chamber will work with the city and the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board starting this week to find a permanent replacement.
4 pm Monday: Longtime Convention and Visitors Bureau Director announces retirement
At the end of this month, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Susan Rathke will be ending a nearly three-decade-long career with the CVB.
The CVB announced Rathke’s plans for retirement in a news release Monday afternoon. Rathke began her 27 plus year career with the Chamber and Visitors Bureau back in the early ’90s and has served the community in a number of capacities through her time on several state and regional boards.
Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says in the aforementioned news release, “Susan has been a true professional. She has been committed to promoting all there is to see and do in Emporia and surrounding area for most of her career.” Rathke expressed her joy in having had the opportunity to serve the Emporia community these past 27 years stating “I can’t think of a job that I would have enjoyed more.”
Moving forward, the Chamber will be working closely with the City of Emporia and the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board to follow the steps in a succession action plan in finding a permanent replacement and will be meeting later this week to begin that process.
Rathke will join KVOE’s Morning Show at 6:45 am Tuesday morning to discuss her retirement plans.
