‘Rock star’ to lead chamber of commerce
Meredith MacLeod June 6, 2011
Hamilton’s tourism chief is taking over the city’s biggest business organization.
David Adames, executive director of Tourism Hamilton, will assume the CEO post at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce July 11.
Adames was the successful candidate among 40 people who applied for the position, according to a press release from the chamber.
“It’s a great opportunity being offered by the chamber,” Adames said. “The chamber is a very important organization in Hamilton and the Hamilton chamber is the oldest in the country. The chamber movement was started here.”
Adames said it was a difficult decision to leave Tourism Hamilton. He was the first executive director of the arm’s length organization that was founded in 2002. Adames said he’s proud of the record of bringing sports, leisure and event and conference tourism to the city, but says it’s time for a new personal challenge and for someone with a new perspective in the role.
“Part of leadership is knowing when to leave. We’ve done lots of great work and I love the job.”
Adames was seen as a bright light in the city’s management ranks and was tasked with being the point person on several high profile files, including two Commonwealth Games bids and the 2003 world cycling championships. But last fall, he was benched as the quarterback of the troubled Pan Am Games stadium debate that turned into a political quagmire.
And then, in a council session this spring, Adames was put on the hot seat and acknowledged that the organization had not been successful in attracting private sector funding.
At the city, Adames managed a budget of $2.1 million and pulled in a salary of $127,000. In contrast, the chamber, whose budget is about $600,000, has not traditionally paid its CEOs anywhere near that level.
Chamber chair Demetrius Tsafaridis would not discuss Adames’ new salary, but did say the chamber reviewed its remuneration to attract the desired candidates to the post.
“We are moving forward in making sure business is helping to lead the rejuvenation that is going on in Hamilton. We wanted to make sure we picked the candidate who would help us do that. I think we did a pretty good job.”
Adames, 41, a Hamilton native, has built a 20-year career at city hall. Before his tourism appointment, Adames worked for 11 years in the culture and recreation and corporate communications departments.
Adames doesn’t rule out a return to city government but says he’s focused on growing the chamber, responding to members, helping bring new business to the city and meeting the needs of innovative, young ventures sprouting up in Hamilton.
“The challenge for any chamber is to be a dynamic, innovative and relevant organization.”
Stephen Goulding, president of the Tourism Hamilton board, said the loss of Adames is “an easier pill to swallow” because he’s staying in Hamilton.
“David is, in our opinion a rock star. We’re extremely happy for him. He deserves every opportunity that comes his way … He’s a huge asset to the city.”
Goulding will meet with Adames and Tim McCabe, general manager of planning and economic development, to hammer out a transition plan.
City manager Chris Murray called Adames’ departure “a big loss to our organization. David's leadership, professionalism and unwavering support for Hamilton's tourism industry will be greatly missed.”
The chamber’s top post became vacant in March when John Dolbec departed to become president and CEO of a new transportation lobby group, TransHub Ontario.
Dolbec, who ran the chamber for 13 years, described his successor as bright, charming and intelligent.
“I couldn’t imagine a more perfect candidate.”
mmacleod@thespec.com
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