Rita Irwin, longtime Florida Keys Tourism Council Board chair, terms out

Veteran Monroe County Tourist Development Council board member and chair Rita Irwin led her final meeting of the TDC on Tuesday, July 30, after 16 years chairing the volunteer board that administers tourism marketing for the Florida Keys and Key West.

During TDC’s regularly scheduled meeting at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, Irwin accepted a plaque from Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln that honored her decades of service to both the TDC board and its Marathon-area District Advisory Council.

Lincoln addressed Irwin before presenting the plaque on behalf of the Monroe County Commission, saluting her longstanding dedication and service to the island chain.

“You have been such an unselfish public servant to the Tourist Development Council, the hospitality industry and this community, forever promoting our beautiful Florida Keys,” Lincoln said. “You have just given so much, you’ve been an excellent role model, and your love for the Florida Keys is completely evident in your everyday walk and talk.”

Irwin appeared deeply appreciative of the recognition.

“Whether in good or challenging times, TDC has done stellar work in helping to sustain the economy of the Florida Keys,” said Irwin, the longtime president and CEO of Dolphin Research Center in the Middle Keys. “The unwavering dedication of other board members, our staff, award-winning agencies and Keys chambers of commerce has been at the core of our success.”

During her tenure as TDC chair, Irwin guided the nine-member board through numerous challenges to the Keys’ tourism-based economy including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Hurricane Irma and other issues.