SURFERS PARADISE ALLIANCE CEO RESIGNS

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Rowena Howe (pictured) will leave the organisation this week after three years at the helm.

Howe spearheaded a number of initiatives to rejuvenate the precinct, including the Surfers Paradise Festival, the launch of precinct magazine and actively promoted local businesses to market the city hub.

"I was able to sit back, relax and reflect on new opportunities during the Christmans break," says Howe.

"SPA has undergone some incredible achievements in my time but it's not all about me - I have had a wonderful board and team to work with. Surfers Paradise is evolving and the rejuvenation of the precinct is incredible with a lot more happening in 2011. Personally I'm looking forward to some time off and planning my wedding for April."

SPA chairperson Laura Younger says Rowe's contribution to the organisation was ‘significant’.

“On behalf of the board I wish to thank Rowena for her contribution to the organisation and for her dedication to the businesses within Surfers Paradise,” says Younger.

“Under her leadership SPA underwent significant restructuring to reflect the massive changes that the area is currently undergoing and she ensured that the organisation was able to work with key stakeholders to achieve its aim to market Surfers Paradise and assist in the economic development of the precinct.”

Surfers Paradise is in the midst of a number of dramatic changes in 2011 as the Hilton, Soul and Foreshore redevelopment projects reach completion marking the completion of an incredible period of development activity that has seen the area transformed with the additions of cutting edge retail, dining and outdoor precincts.

“2011 will be an exciting time for SPA as the organisation continues to encourage economic development in the area and work with our key stakeholders, businesses, the Gold Coast City Council and Gold Coast Tourism to achieve these aims,” says Younger.

A replacement will not be decided until next month.