Doug Small Retires After 45 Years Leading Grand Rapids Tourism

Doug Small, the President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids, is retiring after a 45-year career with the city's convention and visitors bureau. His announcement signals the end of a long tenure during which he led efforts to promote Grand Rapids as a top destination for conventions, events, and tourism. Small's leadership has been central to the organization's mission for many years.

For Grand Rapids residents, this change matters because Experience Grand Rapids directly impacts the local economy by attracting visitors who spend at hotels, restaurants, and shops across downtown and neighborhoods like the Medical Mile and Eastown. Under Small's guidance, the bureau has supported major events that boost community vibrancy, from art festivals to business conferences. His work has helped shape the city's cultural and economic vitality.

While no specific retirement date or successor has been named, the organization is expected to begin a search for new leadership. This transition comes as Grand Rapids continues to grow as a tourist hotspot. Residents can anticipate the bureau maintaining its focus on enhancing local businesses and community events during the changeover.