KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The marketing firm specializing in promoting business and events around Kalamazoo has seen layoffs and furloughs following the resignation of it’s CEO.
The destination marketing firm Discover Kalamazoo is currently in the process of finding a new CEO and President after former chief Greg Ayers unexpectedly resigned from the position on April 10th.
Since then multiple staff members have been either laid off or furloughed from their positions. Interim President T.J. Waldofsky declined to say how many employees were let go or whether the cuts will be permanent or just temporary in an interview with MLive.
Waldofsky did confirm that personnel changes were taking place and the goal of the organization is to hire a permanent CEO and President.
A letter sent to Discover Kalamazoo members pointed to a slowdown in business and tourism, along with declining revenue, as a contributing reason for the staffing cuts.
“Because Discover Kalamazoo is solely funded by accommodation taxes in Kalamazoo County and occupancy levels are at historic lows, we too have had to recognize these hard choices as a reality to ensure the long-term viability of Discover Kalamazoo,” read the letter provided to MLive.
The marketing firm is following a newly implemented 30-day plan to help it reorganize during uncertain times, and organization officials say that they hope to begin the search for a new leader later this summer after drafting an outline of the recruitment process.
