Yesterday’s Fourth Quarterly General Meeting of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) was a meeting not only to discuss the state of the tourism industry, but was a fitting stage to say farewell to outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Susan Springer, who officially leaves on December 16.
Springer, who was at the helm of the BHTA for 15 years, was moved at times to tears as glowing tributes about her service to the industry were read by Chairman of the Association, Roseanne Myers. Springer, known affectionately as Sue, who was also the first female President of the BHTA, is well known not only in the local tourism sector, but the wider Caribbean and in our major source markets, Myers noted.
“Her infectious smile, penchant for hugging … and the fact that Sue is always accessible for meetings, discussions, speeches, and after a long day Sue is still attending after-hours functions and available to wine and dine guests even after she would have had perhaps a series of meetings. Indeed, I think Sue Springer’s biggest failing is her inability sometimes to say ‘no’,” the Chairman said.
Myers said that while she is British born, Springer’s adoptive home Barbados has benefited from a level of patriotism that rivals many persons who are actually born here. She made the point as she noted that Springer has had a long and successful career in the tourism sector, working at such hotels as at Sandy Lane, Cobblers Cove, Almond Village, Tamarind Cove, Colony Club, Discovery Bay, Barbados Beach Village and Turtle Beach.
“Her new job as CEO of BHTA in 2001 would have made life for the directorate of the BHTA easy because Sue would have come to the position with a knowledge of almost all of the tourism players in the association and more importantly, they would have known her. The officials of the public sector would have come to know Sue as she had recently held the position of BHTA President from 1999 and therefore when she stepped in the role, when Noel Lynch ascended to the position of Minister of Tourism from the BHTA CEO position, the organisation was able to hit the ground running, benefiting from her knowledge of people, processes and so on throughout the entire industry,” she said.
Myers noted that during her tenure, Springer served 15 Annual General Meetings, as Executive Vice President (EVP) and CEO, almost 180 board meetings and oversaw eight President’s Awards or Galas. She also served as EVP to eight different Presidents or Chairmen and her tenure spanned that of three Prime Ministers – Owen Arthur, the late David Thompson and the present Prime Minister Freundel Stuart; and three Ministers of Tourism – George Payne, Noel Lynch and the present Minister, Richard Sealy.
Meanwhile, new CEO, Rudy Grant, acknowledging that he has “big shoes to fill”, promised to work assiduously and give his all to continue the success of the BHTA.
“I want to assure you that I am an anytime man. And what do I mean by ‘anytime man’? You can call on me anytime. This is not a job that is nine to five, or eight to four, this is a 24-hour job and therefore I give myself to this association and to this industry 24 hours,” he stated.
He added, “But as I walk in your shoes, I will also seek to create my own destiny and my own future and I will seek through the direction and guidance of the chairman, board of directors of the BHTA and the staff, to ensure that the concerns of the members of this association are addressed and resolved.”
He made the promise as he also assured those present that he would work with all the partners including the Ministries of Tourism; International Transport; and Finance and Economic Affairs to ensure that they can further develop the tourism industry. (JRT)
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