The longtime director of the Geary County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Connie Hall will retire, effective this Friday, December 16.

Hall told JC Post after a lengthy consideration there’s a financial benefit for her to retire at this time. “It is in my retirement benefits through KPER’s, sick leave and vacation time.”

Hall has been employed with the CVB for approximately 25 years as administrative assistant, marketing director, and since 2000 as the executive director. She cites the lobbying work to get the convention center built as one of the big highlights during her tenure as executive director. “We worked really hard and steady on that, and were able to, through people in town, contact J.Q. Hammons, and to get a first class convention center here.” Hall added for many years they had to turn down conventions and meetings because there was no locale that met their needs. “Seeing that as a plus it was really great for the community to have that piece of additional business here. ”

Hall referred to the convention & visitor’s bureau advisory committee by saying everyone who has sat on that committee have been fantastic people with their hearts in tourism. “The CVB will continue to go far, and they’ve got some really good people that are right here in it now, and they have the capability of leading it further.”