Ian McMillan, the long-time executive director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, has announced his retirement, effective July 31.
McMillan began his tenure with the City of Sault Ste. Marie in 2001, hired on to head up the city’s newly formed tourism department, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. (EDC).
“Ian has had a significant impact on economic and tourism development in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Robert Reid, president and board chair of the EDC, in a June 13 news release.
“From the Agawa Canyon Tour Train revitalization project and Group of Seven product development to securing major events like the 2012 CARHA Hockey World Cup and attracting cruise ships, his legacy is far reaching. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Prior to his role with the SSMEDC, Ian was brand manager for Northern Tourism Marketing Corp. and executive director of Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association. During his 35-year career, he sat on a number of boards, including the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Attractions Ontario, and Great Lakes Cruising Coalition and Cruise Ontario. In 2017, he was inducted into the Festivals & Events Ontario hall of fame.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to promote the community and region, where my family and I call home,” McMillan said. “I thank the staff, my colleagues and clients that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over all these years. It truly has been a fulfilling career.”
The EDC said it would spend the next few weeks formulating a plan to find a replacement for the position.
