RALEIGH, N.C.—Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB/Visit Raleigh), will retire Dec. 31 after nearly 20 years leading the destination marketing organization.
Edwards has led GRCVB since April 2007 and has spent 44 years in the hospitality industry. Before joining GRCVB, he held leadership roles with CVBs in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Houston, Palm Springs and Culver City, Calif., and Sioux City, Iowa.
During Edwards’ tenure at GRCVB, Wake County’s visitor economy expanded substantially. According to GRCVB, hotel occupancy tax collections increased from $14 million in 2007 to more than $41 million, while prepared F&B tax revenue rose from $16 million to nearly $49 million. Annual visitation grew from 10.4 million in 2007 to 19.1 million in 2025, and visitor spending increased from $1.7 billion to more than $3.4 billion.
Edwards oversaw development of the 10-year Wake County Destination Strategic Plan 2028, which helped establish priorities that supported approval and development of the new Red Hat Amphitheater, the expansion of the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center (formerly the Raleigh Convention Center), the 600-room Omni Hotel, and enhancements at Lenovo Center.
Wake County is undergoing more than $2 billion in tourism infrastructure development, addressing many of the DSP 2028 priorities, according to GRCVB.
Edwards also worked with Travel South and Visit North Carolina on bringing the MICHELIN Guide to Wake County and North Carolina. Under Edwards’ leadership, Wake County also hosted a range of high-profile events during Edwards’ leadership, including the NHL All-Star Game, NHL Stadium Series, NCAA Men’s Basketball tournaments, NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cups, IBMA World of Bluegrass, and GalaxyCon.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to work for such a dynamic destination with an incredibly talented staff at the GRCVB,” Edwards says. “Wake County has experienced unprecedented growth in tourism over the past 20 years, and the future is extremely bright for our entire hospitality community.”
Edwards leads a staff of 35 and manages a $12.5 million budget. He currently chairs the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board and serves on boards, including the U.S. Travel Association, North Carolina Travel & Tourism Coalition, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Dix Park Conservancy, and Wake County Economic Development.
“Denny is a true veteran and pioneer who began his journey in Raleigh nearly 20 years ago, dedicating himself to strategizing, advocating for, and advancing tourism in Wake County,” says Melissa Chunn, general manager of Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel and chair of the GRCVB Board of Directors. “Through his passion, vision, and relentless drive, Wake County has truly become a destination of choice for so many. Although Denny will be deeply missed, his greatest legacy is the pathway he created and the strong foundation he established under his leadership. His impact will continue to guide Wake County tourism forward, inspiring others to build upon his vision and carry it to even greater heights. On behalf of the GRCVB Board of Directors, we want to thank Denny for his leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to making Wake County a destination that shines.”
The GRCVB Board of Directors has a succession plan and expects to announce Edwards’ replacement soon.
