The executive director of Visit Omaha, Deborah Ward, announced that she will retire on July 31 following more than 18 years at the DMO and five years as its head.
Since becoming executive director in 2020, Ward has helped grow Omaha’s tourism industry into a $2 billion annual economic driver supporting more than 15,000 local jobs. Ward led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and helped the city enjoy record-breaking tourism numbers for the past three years. She was also instrumental in securing long-term funding for the DMO through an agreement with the City of Omaha and Douglas County, extending the organization’s lifetime through 2033.
“Deborah has been an advocate and creative force for Omaha over the past 40 years,” said Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing, Jr. in a press release. “She elevated how we market our city, built lasting partnerships and created real economic impact. Thanks to her leadership, more visitors than ever are discovering what makes Omaha special.”
Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jasmyn Goodwin will serve as interim executive director of Visit Omaha once Ward retires. Goodwin joined the organization in 2007 as a marketing and public relations assistant and has played a key role in developing the city’s tourism strategy.
In her newfound free time, Ward plans to spend more time with family, travel for fun and pursue creative, Christmas-themed projects.
