Supporting the businesses that attract families and individuals to Durango, whether for a quick visit or a lifetime, is Rita Simon’s specialty. When she moved here in 1998, she fell in love with all the region has to offer through the eyes of visitors.
“I started working part time in the visitor center on the tourism side,” Simon said. “I’ve just worked my way up the ranks, I guess. The job has definitely evolved from one thing to a multitude of things.”
Simon is the chamber manager at Durango Chamber of Commerce, a membership-based organization that seeks to support local businesses. Simon was promoted to office manager, business manager and then to her current position as chamber manager. In this role, she controls financial functions and manages human resources challenges.
Helping visitors has led to a career that keeps her close to the community. For more than 20 years, she has helped the organization grow and prosper.
“The community has definitely grown,” Simon said. “The chamber has taken a strong role in helping businesses be better at what they do, and providing them with education and events – things they can do to grow their business.”
Simon said she often feels like her job has two different sides. While the financial administration and human resources aspects of her job allow her to exercise her critical thinking, planning events for businesses gives her space to be creative.
Some of the biggest events Simon plans annually include the Girls Gone Golfing and the Chamber of Commerce Durango Rocks Awards. While Simon loves celebrating the community at Durango Rocks, Girls Gone Golfing holds a special place in her heart because she loves to golf. Simon said the event has grown year after year and provides an opportunity for women in our region to learn about golf while networking with other professionals.
In addition to these big events, Simon is responsible for planning regular events to provide educational opportunities to business owners and a platform for community leaders to share information.
“We do a ton of events, like Eggs & Issues, Business After Hours, Lunch and Learn, Coffee at Carvers,” she said. “I love planning events, making them fun and coming up with new ideas. Even sitting at the events and talking to all the people as they come in, I love that part as well.”
Alongside Executive Director Jack Llewellyn, Simon sorts through dozens of proposals for speakers and workshops every month. Together, they look at the topics presented in past events and determine which programs and speakers will benefit area businesses. One of the most popular types of events are those that help business owners with organizational skills, management and marketing.
“Everybody has something interesting to share,” Simon said. “I always come away learning something, so I think our members are the same. Obviously, they are coming because they are interested in the topic.”
For Simon, working closely with other local organizations, such as Durango Area Tourism Office, Business Improvement District, Local First and La Plata Economic Development Alliance, is crucial to identifying the barriers to success for businesses, and choosing topics to address at their events. Collaboration helps each of these organizations achieve their own missions in different ways and prevents them from duplicating work.
“It’s super beneficial for us to know what each other is doing. There are ways we can collaborate and help each other out,” she said.
Simon said that’s the Durango way. She witnesses the effort business owners make to provide benefits and opportunities for their staff firsthand, and applauds the number of individuals and small businesses that seek to help other independent companies thrive.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Simon said. “I love it, I do. I don’t think you can be in a job for 20-plus years if you don’t love it. But I’m looking forward to that next chapter, and what it might hold.”