What led you to this type of work?
The stepping stones were laid early on, but I didn’t realize where they led.

Growing up, I’d read the morning newspaper while eating breakfast. In particular, I enjoyed the advice columns Dear Abby or Ann Landers and learning how each solved people’s problems.

As a child, my siblings and I were taught service above self. We were encouraged to make things with limited resources. My brothers and I loved building go-carts from wooden orange crates discarded by the local grocery store and racing them on the dirt in our backyard. My mom made beautiful patchwork quilts from fabric scraps from clothes and sewed our Halloween costumes. My dad built a homemade camping trailer from scratch as an inexpensive way for our family to vacation and explore. Later, after he started our family business, we camped closer to home. As a result, my organizing skills were honed, getting everyone and everything to the lake each weekend in an orderly fashion.

As co-editor of our high school yearbook and in college as an organizer of two out-of-state student-run tours, I discovered how much I enjoyed building things from the ground up, including the sales, deployment and delivery.

When not working at my dad’s business and going to school, I volunteered at the Hobie Cat rental at the lake so that I could sail. I enjoyed teaching people the fundamentals of sailing – how to harness the wind and tack and jibe. That lightbulb moment when students grasped the concept was gratifying.

After an internship at the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau and my bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Travel and Tourism in hand from St. Louis University’s Parks College, I headed to the West Coast of Florida. My first job was in destination marketing. I served as the Tourism and Conventions Director of internationally known Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.

Early on, I learned to raise my hand to volunteer, and over the years, I served on community boards and coordinated community projects. With every organization I’ve led or been involved in, I soaked in as much knowledge as possible and positively impacted each other well beyond my assigned role. Nonprofits, government and established and startup businesses are woven into the fabric of every community. By helping each, the quality of life is uplifted for all.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I explore, hike, take photos, go zip-lining, visit museums, waterfalls, historic sites, state and national parks, cities and small downtowns, and do yard work. I enjoy the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., because it offers many adventure opportunities. I’m a streamer, so I thrive on TV series and movie marathons. I love to read biographies, too.

What did you do during the pandemic?
I learned how to cook, practiced conversational French, wrote short stories about my parents and began writing my book on board leadership. I don’t think I’ve made a dent in the to-do list I created in March 2020.

What are your pet peeves?
People who drive slowly in the left lane (while talking on a cell phone) top the list.

Tell us about your family.
I was born and raised in Highland, Ill., just outside St. Louis, and am the oldest of five. I had 60 cousins once, so getting lost amid the noise when my side had a gathering was easy. My family is spread out across the eastern half of the U.S. We visit and go on vacations together as schedules permit. My immediate household is home to a furry four-legged child adopted from a local shelter. As any parent would claim, he is very bright and finds ways to make me laugh and smile every day.

Tell us about your two tourism-related books:
– Secrets to Successful Events:  How to Organize, Promote and Manage Exceptional Events and Festivals
– Secrets to Successful Events Resource Guide:  42+ Easy-to-Use Forms and Tools to Save You Time and Money

One of the most searched phrases for any destination is “What’s Happening.” Travelers want to know what activities will be occurring during their visit. As a tourism marketer, I know festivals and events draw overnight visitors. Helping event organizers see how all the pieces fit together is a win-win for the community and the tourism industry. Most importantly, the event-goer’s experience needs to be optimum. The decision to write these books made sense when considering all who would benefit.

A solid footing – organizational development and leadership – is critical to running any successful business. Festivals and events are businesses.

My books are available through major booksellers. I’m proud that the first book was named the #1 New Release on Amazon. It was also selected as a textbook for an Event Marketing course at one of the “Top 15 Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report,” among other colleges and courses. Learn more about me at lynnfuhler.com.

What are some of the things hardly anyone else knows?
I’m not a fan of playing board games or cards. 

There are little things I’m working on improving about myself.
I strive to take a 20-minute walk daily, meditate or do yoga, take uninterrupted time off for lunch and leave the office before the sun goes down.

What are some of your favorite places in the world?
Key West, Fla., Washington D.C. and London.

What are some of the places you’d like to visit or revisit?
I want to visit the national parks out west, Alaska, Bar Harbor and Portland, ME, Chicago, Custer State Park, Custer, S.D. and the list goes on …

I would like to travel internationally to Cuba, Lake Cuomo, Italy, and Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. I’d love to take the train from Halifax in eastern Canada west to Vancouver, stopping along the way to enjoy Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

What are some of the strongest convictions that you hold?
With the advent of social media, people cluster with those sharing a common point of view or interest. As a society ruled by time constraints, we don’t allow ourselves the opportunity to do things with others who have different perspectives. As such, people have become more polarized. Spending time with those of varying interests and perspectives provides insights into the other side. Compromise gains support from both sides; winning at all costs means “the other guy” doesn’t.

Showing up does not warrant a trophy. Being present and engaged will often win you the game.