After 21 years serving as executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Candy Duncan has announced her retirement.
She will officially retire on Jan. 1, she told the board in a letter. During her tenure, Duncan oversaw the transformation of Carson City as a travel destination, changing the tourism paradigm by highlighting the area's rich history and modern amenities as attractive attributes to luring visitors to the capital city.
"It was the right time," Duncan said. "There are a lot of new board members with new ideas and change is a good thing. I think it is the right time for the bureau and the right time for me."
Under the board of directors and Duncan's direction the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau:
— Collaborated with the city's Redevelopment Agency in 1992-1993 to establish the Kit Carson/Blue Line Trail, a 2.5 mile walking tour through historic Carson City
— Worked with area golf course managers and lodging establishments to create the Divine 9, a successful travel destination cooperative that promotes Carson City and Carson Valley golf courses.
— Established the Silver Dollar Car Classic, an annual event that brings hundreds of classic car owners and thousands of car enthusiasts to Carson City every August.
— Revitalized the Carson City Rendezvous after private organizers had considered dismantling the living history weekend event at Mills Park.
— Established the highly successful Carson City Ghost Walk tours, where thousands of visitors have walked through the city's historic district and listened to local history and folklore.
But it is was the creation of the historic V&T Railroad in 2009 that gave Carson City a huge shot in the arm to attract visitors. Duncan and the Visitors Bureau board successfully introduced Carson City leaders and taxpayers to the vision of a tourist railroad. The railroad has garnered international attention among train enthusiasts, travelers, visitors and press from around the world. The historic steam and diesel trains take passengers on a 42-mile Wild West roundtrip tour between Carson City and Virginia City, a popular rail line during the famed silver Comstock era.
The V&T is also a symbol of Carson City pride, something that puts Carson City on on the map as being more than just a state capital. Duncan said getting the V&T off the ground and running was her most satisfying accomplishment.
"To be able to restore the V&T Railroad and turn it into a reality is something we are all proud of," said Duncan. "Working along side Tom Gray and the board, we created a world class attraction that Carson City should be very proud of."
Along with growing V&T ridership through travel and tourism promotion, the CCCVB under Duncan successfully landed the Polar Express film franchise to select Carson City as one of its winter holiday-themed train hubs. Last year's inaugural November to December holiday train tour sold all 7,500 seats before the trains even left the tracks. This year a new VIP car and additional days were added to the tour. The Polar Express is again expected to be fully booked before the trains even begin running.
Before taking the CCCVB leadership role, Duncan was the executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau at Lake Tahoe's north shore. She said she came to Carson City knowing that it could do a better job selling its rich history and culture. The boards she worked with also shared her vision and its members were helpful in seeing it through. Her staff at the Visitors Bureau have helped, tirelessly, over the years with getting Carson City on the map as a destination. "They've been outstanding in every way," she said.
Duncan said it was the board leadership of Steve Bilyeu, Sean Sever, Don Quilici, Stephen Lincoln, and Dwight Millard who helped transition the town from capital city to capital city with lots of attractions beyond the capitol building. She credits both the creative teams of Weidinger Public Relations and Smith & Jones for making the transition possible.
Duncan said she wants to see the Polar Express through the holidays and to provide the board of directors time and continuity as she transitions out.
She said she and her husband will remain in Carson City where she plans to remain active in her retirement and spend time with her seven grandchildren. "I don't know how to knit and I don't have a rocking chair," said Duncan. "Hopefully I will continue to do something with the railroad, but if it it doesn't pan out, there are other opportunities my way," she said.
"I love Carson City. I'm proud to have spent 21 years telling people about our wonderful city and all that it has to offer," she said.