Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Erickson.
Hi Judy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Looking back, a common thread throughout my career has been connecting people, places, and opportunities through tourism, hospitality, and international engagement.
Growing up in South Florida, I was exposed to international business through my father’s logistics, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage business. Seeing how goods moved around the world and how relationships connected businesses and communities across borders sparked a lifelong interest in travel, global connections, and economic development.
While attending college, I worked in restaurants, airlines, and cruise-related businesses before launching a marketing and event production company. Those experiences ultimately led me into destination marketing and community development.
A defining chapter of my career came at the City of Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency during the revitalization of Hollywood Beach, where I had the opportunity to launch and build the City’s tourism program. At the same time, my involvement with Hollywood’s Sister Cities program provided opportunities to engage with communities in China, Guatemala, France, and many other countries, reinforcing the value of cultural exchange and international relationships.
Those experiences shaped my understanding of tourism as an export industry, one that brings new spending, investment, and opportunities directly into a community. The same principles that drive successful international business, relationships, trust, and partnerships, also drive successful destinations.
My career later took me to The Diplomat Beach Resort and Hilton Corporate, broadening my perspective on destination management and the partnerships that help destinations succeed in a competitive global marketplace.
Today, as Program Manager for the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Business Improvement District, I work with hospitality partners, businesses, and community stakeholders to support the continued evolution of Fort Lauderdale’s beach area as a destination and economic driver. Most recently, participating in IPW reinforced tourism’s role in attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and connecting communities to the global marketplace.
What continues to inspire me is seeing how travel and tourism bring people together, create opportunities, and leave a lasting impact on both visitors and the communities they experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. One of the things I’ve learned over the course of my career is that growth rarely happens in a straight line.
Like many people in tourism and hospitality, I’ve experienced economic downturns, industry disruptions, organizational changes, and the uncertainty that came with the pandemic. I’ve also navigated different career paths, from entrepreneurship to economic development, hospitality, destination management, and local government.
Balancing career growth while raising two children certainly required flexibility and perseverance, but many of those experiences ultimately strengthened my ability to adapt, build relationships, and embrace change.
Looking back, some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career came from unexpected transitions. They taught me resilience, reinforced the importance of staying open to new possibilities, and reminded me that challenges often create opportunities for growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been fortunate to spend my career helping destinations tell their stories and create experiences that people remember. Over the years, I’ve worked at nearly every level of the industry, from hotels and hospitality to tourism marketing, economic development, destination management, and public service. I also had the opportunity to manage Florida destinations for Hilton, which gave me a broader perspective on what makes a destination successful.
What I enjoy most is bringing people together. Destinations are at their best when businesses, community leaders, hospitality partners, and local governments are working toward a shared vision. I’ve built my career around creating those connections and helping turn ideas into action.
What sets me apart is that I’ve seen destinations from many different perspectives, at the hotel level, the destination level, the corporate level, and in the public sector. That experience helps me understand the challenges, opportunities, and priorities of the many people who contribute to a destination’s success.
What I’m most proud of isn’t any single project or title. It’s the relationships I’ve built along the way and the opportunity to help create places and experiences that bring people together, support local businesses, and leave lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that has had a profound influence on my life is travel.
Growing up, my father often took our family with him on business trips, which gave me an early appreciation for different cultures, people, and places. Those experiences sparked a curiosity about the world that has stayed with me throughout my life.
When I became a parent, I wanted my children to have those same opportunities. One of the first things I did was get them passports. Through family travel and my involvement in tourism and Hollywood’s Sister Cities program, they were exposed to people, cultures, and perspectives from around the world at an early age.
Today, both of my children continue to travel and explore on their own, and seeing their confidence, independence, and appreciation for different cultures has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Looking back, I realize that travel did not just shape my perspective. It became a family value that has been passed from one generation to the next.
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