The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau announced on Monday, Jan. 27 that its longtime President and CEO, Henri Fourrier is retiring after nearly 30 years in the job.  For many local leaders and those who’ve worked with Fourrier over the years, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in that position since he has been so deeply embedded for so long.

Fourrier took the job in December 1996 and, in that capacity, he has worked to try to make Greensboro a premier destination for sports and travel.

It’s an important job, as is known by any business owner who has benefited from the thousands and thousands of visitors who’ve come in for swim meets, track events, soccer tournaments and other events that bring in a whole lot of money to the area.

All those people go out to dinner, rent hotel rooms and shop in area stores.

The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority with a mission to “aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service.”

According to The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics, travel and tourism generated nearly $1.7 billion in Guilford County in 2023, employing more than 11,000 people in travel-related jobs,

A press Monday from the Area Convention & Visitors Bureau stated, “During his tenure, Fourrier played a pivotal role in reshaping the summer tourism landscape by attracting youth sporting events to Greensboro and boosting sports tourism during previously quieter months. His strategic leadership was instrumental in securing the construction of the Greensboro Aquatic Center by leveraging hotel tax revenue and bond funding—making Greensboro a top swimming and diving destination.”

During his tenure heading up the bureau, Fourrier cultivated strong partnerships with organizations such as USA Track & Field and the Amateur Athletic Union, which is one key reason Greensboro began to be seen as an “East Coast track mecca.”

Fourrier also worked closely with the hotel and hospitality industry in an attempt to improve the local economy through sports tourism, as well as position the city as a hub for cultural and recreational activities.

This week, Greensboro/Guilford County Tourism Development Authority Chair Kelly Harrill commented on the contributions Fourrier has made to the area.

“Henri has been a staple of Greensboro’s Hospitality Community for 28 years and we will miss his leadership greatly,” Harrill said. “Henri has taken the lead on so many different initiatives to bring incredible sporting groups, association groups, faith-based groups, and the like that have brought millions of dollars of economic impact to Guilford County, and we are all indebted to him for that.”

The Greensboro/Guilford County Tourism Development Authority, which oversees the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, has begun a search for Fourrier’s successor.  After hiring a consultant, the board is now trying to find a leader who can fill Fourrier’s shoes.

Fourrier shared a brief comment regarding his longtime job of attempting to promote tourism and visitation in the city and the county.

 “Greensboro has been very good to me for my career,” he said. “I hope that I was good for Greensboro in return.”

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