Sue Mason, Director of Visitor Services, Retires after 33 Years!

LOYALTY – A strong feeling of support or allegiance.

Example: Sue Mason’s 30-year career with the San Diego Tourism Authority can be summed up in one word—loyalty.

PASSION – A strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire.

Example:  Sue Mason’s passion for San Diego and helping visitors have lead to a long and successful career in the hospitality industry.

We are honored to celebrate the extraordinary service and commitment Sue Mason has given to our organization over the past 33 years. Sue Mason has announced her retirement for March 29, 2018. Her dedication to making San Diego an exciting, welcoming and friendly place for visitors is incomparable. Sue began her career on March 26, 1985, in the San Diego Visitor Center as an associate and spend 25 years as director. Leading a team of employees and volunteers, Sue provided an invaluable service to our organization and more importantly to visitors of San Diego. Upon the closing of our visitor center in 2015, Sue joined the headquarters team in Symphony Tower as Membership Services Manager.  In that role, she was instrumental in helping 1000+ Members manage their business profiles on SanDiego.org as well as assist them in understanding their Member benefits. Sue received the 1999 Gold Key Allied Member of the Year Award from HMA & HSMAI, as well as the 2010 James V. Cunningham Award for her contributions to the industry.

The City of San Diego, the San Diego Tourism Authority, and our lives have changed dramatically over the course of the last 33 years. Take a look at some of the exciting news of 1985.  Congratulations Sue!

The year was 1985…

• In 1985, Dal Watkins was president of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.
• In 1985, the San Diego Convention Center did not exist; construction began on the 1.7 million sq. ft. waterfront center in 1987 at a cost of $164 million.
• In 1985, 20.3 million visitors traveled to San Diego; in 2014, San Diego welcomed nearly 34 million visitors.
• In 1985, visitors contributed $2.1 billion in spending; last year nearly $9.2 billion was spent in the destination by visitors.
• In 1985, the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collected by hotels was $21 million; in 2014, TOT topped $170 million.
• 14 current SDTA employees were not born yet when Sue began working for the organization!

San Diego and Pittsburgh get into a billboard battle over tourism marketing in 1985. After Pittsburgh placed 15 billboards around San Diego claiming “The Most Livable City in the U.S.,” the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau fights back with its own message on billboards seen around Pittsburgh.

• In 1985, the population of San Diego County was approximately 2.1 million; today the population exceeds 3 million.
• In 1985, Horton Plaza, a new outdoor shopping plaza, opened in August 1985.
• In 1985, Qualcomm Stadium was known as Jack Murphy Stadium in 1985. The San Diego Chargers went 8-8 during Don Coryell’s final season as head coach.
• In 1985, The San Diego Padres ended the season 83-79, finishing 3rd in the National League West. The Padres also played at Jack Murphy Stadium. Petco Park did not exist.

1985 FUN FACTS

• Average cost of a new house: $89,330
• Average Income: $22,100
• Average price of a new car: $9,005
• Gallon of gas: $1.09
• Movie Ticket: $2.75
• The first .com domain name is registered: symbolics.com.
• Microsoft launches its first Windows 1.0 operating system.
• The compact disc is introduced to the consumer marketplace.
• The music industry records “We Are The World” in support of USA for Africa.
• Coca Cola introduces “New” Coke to a dismal failure; “Classic” Coke is reintroduced.
• Ronald Reagan was U.S. President; George H.W. Bush was Vice President.
• Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (no connection to San Diego – just a fun fact!)