Will County Gazette

Frankford resident Jim Garrett received congratulations from Village of Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle on his retirement from his position as president and CEO of Visit Chicago Southland during a Village Board meeting earlier this month. Garrett had served in that role since 1996.

"It has been an honor and a privilege representing the Chicago Southland region for the past 28 years," Garrett said, according to a Visit Chicago Southland press release by Scott Rude. "I sincerely appreciate the continued and valued support I’ve received from the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the trust they placed in me in leading the Bureau."

Garrett's retirement will be effective on June 30, according to the Visit Chicago Southland press release by Rude. He has overseen the sales, marketing, and administrative operations for the organization with the goal to generate overnight hotel stays through promotions of the region as a location for trade shows, conventions, meetings, group tours, leisure, and sporting events.

His previous roles included executive director for the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau; vice president for the Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau; and director of Sales and Marketing for the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, according to a Visit Chicago Southland press release by Rude.

Visit Chicago Southland earned the 2024 Illinois Excellence in Tourism Award for Best Website by the Illinois Office of Tourism during his tenure, according to a Visit Chicago Southland press release by Rude. Diversity Inc presented its Community Spirit Award to Visit Chicago Southland in 2011. Garrett received several accolades including the Illinois State Soccer Association’s Presidential Award, the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association’s 2007 Ambassador of Hospitality Award, and the Upper Midwest Convention and Visitor Bureau’s 2012 Individual Professionalism and Lifetime Achievement Award.