FORT WORTH, Texas—Bob Jameson, who helped transform Fort Worth into one of the nation’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, will retire this spring after 13 years as president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. Jameson’s retirement is effective April 30, 2026.
During his tenure, Fort Worth’s visitor economy doubled, with tourism becoming a central driver of the city’s broader economic development strategy. Jameson is credited with expanding tourism’s reach beyond hotels and conventions to include small businesses, artists, and cultural organizations across the city. Under his leadership, Visit Fort Worth developed the Fort Worth Sports Commission, Hear Fort Worth music office, Fort Worth Film Commission, and Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District, initiatives aimed at long-term growth in key industries.
Before joining Visit Fort Worth, Jameson spent nearly three decades leading Worthington Renaissance Hotel, one of the city’s flagship hospitality properties. He later helped reposition the convention and visitors bureau (CVB) into a research-driven tourism marketing organization, expanding convention sales, visitor services, and support for the Fort Worth Herd—a unique, twice-daily cattle drive that takes place through the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards.
“Bob Jameson has had immeasurable impact on Fort Worth’s visitor tourism success over the past 13 years,” says Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “He is truly one of Fort Worth’s best ambassadors, and I’m thrilled for him in his next chapter of retirement.”
Adds Susan Alanis, chair of the Visit Fort Worth Board of Directors, “On behalf of the Visit Fort Worth Board of Directors, we are extremely grateful to Bob for the contributions he has made and the legacy he leaves the city. His wisdom, vision, and philosophies will continue to inspire countless numbers of colleagues in the travel and tourism industry and Fort Worth.”
According to Visit Fort Worth, the city’s tourism economy grew to an estimated $3.6 billion throughout the past decade, with annual visitors increasing to more than 11.7 million. Hospitality jobs doubled to 30,000, direct visitor spending reached $3 billion, and tourism generated $287 million in state and local taxes.
The organization has also earned national recognition, including being named the No. 1 convention city by Conference Direct, the top U.S. city for sports without a Power Five conference team by Sports ETA, and a top 20 city for filmmakers by MovieMaker Magazine. Fort Worth was also designated the first music-friendly certified city by the Texas Music Office.
Jameson emphasized community inclusion as part of tourism growth, supporting such events as Hispanic Heritage Month, Juneteenth celebrations, music festivals, and cowboy gatherings. Visit Fort Worth and the Tourism Public Improvement District contribute more than $1 million annually to local arts and cultural events.
“This has been the joy of my life,” Jameson says. “Tourism is important for our economy and our national visibility and must be grounded in our community for the benefit of our residents. I am incredibly proud of our Visit Fort Worth team and the many, many local partners who work together to make Fort Worth better through tourism.”
Jameson currently serves on numerous civic and cultural boards, including Arts Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Black Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and Downtown Fort Worth Inc., as well as Texas Travel Alliance and U.S. Travel Association.
A California native, Jameson began his hospitality career with Marriott International in 1977. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of San Francisco. He and his wife, Anne Milder Jameson, have four children.
According to Visit Fort Worth, a national search will be conducted to identify its next president and CEO.
