Visit Durango, the destination marketing organization for La Plata County, is looking to fill an open seat on its board of directors and begin recruiting candidates for two other seats that will open at the end of the year.

Several seats on the 14-member board represent various sectors of the tourism economy, and the seat representing retail is currently open. The retail seat had been held by Antonia Clark, co-owner of Toh-Atin Gallery.

On Dec. 31, the seats representing restaurants and special events/entertainment will both open. The restaurant seat is currently held by Matt Arias, owner of Gazpacho New Mexican Cooking Y Cantina. The special events/entertainment seat is held by Angie Beach, executive director of Music in the Mountains.

The term of service for seats is three years, and board members usually serve two terms, said Rachel Brown, executive director of Visit Durango.

Anyone interested in applying can obtain an application form on the Visit Durango website. Applicants should also submit a résumé, Brown said.

The Governance Committee of the board will narrow down applicants to two or three people and interview the finalists before deciding on the candidate to fill the seats, Brown said.

Deadlines for entry have not been set.

The 14-member board meets once a month, usually the third Tuesday of the month, at the Holiday Inn, but the board has been meeting on Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board members are expected to keep the board informed about their sector of the tourism economy, assist Visit Durango in marketing the region, help develop ideas for a more positive visitor experience and provide strategic insight to boost tourism.

Applicants for seats must be employed or own a business in the sector they are seeking to represent on the board.

“Board members are vital to the local tourism economy and serve an important role to champion our local business community and the Durango brand,” said Bruce Moss, chairman of the Visit Durango board of directors.

parmijo@durangoherald.com