Agenda 11/09/2021 Item # 4A (Proclamation - Jack Wert Appreciation)11/09/2021
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Jack Wert was hired as Collier County’s first tourism director and sole
employee in December of 2002, promising to grow the operation over an
employment commitment to the County of five years; and
WHEREAS, nineteen years later, Jack Wert has retired from his role leading an
office of ten employees, a portfolio of advertising and marketing
contractors, research firms, and international tourism representatives;
and
WHEREAS, over the course of his employment, Jack Wert and his team of
destination marketing professionals were responsible for attracting a
total of 30.97 million visitors to Collier County and the collection of
$348 million in Tourist Development Taxes, providing for an economic
impact of $29.7 billion benefiting the businesses and residents of the
county; and
WHEREAS, under Jack Wert’s coordination, the creation of the internationally
recognized Paradise Coast brand was developed; and
WHEREAS, Jack Wert’s steady leadership and professionalism has guided our
tourism recovery efforts through natural and economic obstacles
including the Gulf oil spill, the Great Recession, red tide, hurricanes,
wildfires, Zika, and a coronavirus pandemic; and
WHEREAS, during the pandemic, Jack Wert’s efforts in marketing and messaging
the Paradise Pledge of local businesses’ safety protocols put Collier
County on the fast track to tourism rebound and helped to protect the
45,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry, many at risk of
temporary or permanent loss; and
WHEREAS, Jack Wert has earned the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labor,
to write a book imparting his wisdom to others, to consult and advise a
new generation of destination marketing professionals, and to renew his
lapsed Merchant Marine Captain’s license;
NOW THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
wishes to express its grateful appreciation to Jack Wert for many years
of outstanding service in leading the tourism marketing efforts of Collier
County, for being a brand in himself as a gentleman and consummate
professional, and for making the Paradise Coast an international
destination.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day of November 2021.
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11/09/2021
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
_____________________________
PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN
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11/09/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 4.A
Doc ID: 20514
Item Summary: Proclamation recognizing Jack Wert for his many years of outstanding service in
leading the tourism marketing efforts of Collier County.
Meeting Date: 11/09/2021
Prepared by:
Title: – County Manager's Office
Name: John Mullins
11/01/2021 8:13 AM
Submitted by:
Title: – County Manager's Office
Name: John Mullins
11/01/2021 8:13 AM
Approved By:
Review:
County Manager's Office John Mullins County Manager Review Completed 11/01/2021 11:27 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 11/09/2021 9:00 AM
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