After 23 Years Promoting Tourism in Lodi, Nancy Beckman Is Ready to Travel

When Nancy Beckman was named CEO of the Lodi Conference & Visitors Bureau in 2001, there were only a few hotel franchises and a handful of independent lodging establishments in the city. Today, that number has grown to more than 90, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals.

Additionally, there were eight wine tasting rooms in the Lodi area when she came on board, and that number has grown to more than 80 today.

Now, after 23 years of helping Lodi become a tourist destination, Beckman said she’s ready to move on. Her last “planned” day at LCVB, now known as Visit Lodi, is Sept. 27.

“I loved doing it, but I’m ready to do something for myself,” she said. “I always wanted to retire at 62, and I hit that milestone in August. It was about time.”

Beckman said the growth of the local tourism industry during her tenure at Visit Lodi was not the result of the actions of one person or one thing, adding that she was fortunate to be able to develop partnerships with a board and staff, as well as the city’s hotels, to make it all possible.

Of course, she added, the willingness of Lodi wineries to open their doors to the public has also helped a lot.

“The wineries exploded,” she said. “The more we had, the more we needed hotels, marketing and activities for people. It’s a joy to see the growth of the industry. I’ll always remember it fondly.”

Beckman informed staff and the board that she would remain in her position until a replacement was found. After that, she said she planned to travel, cook on her own time and finally renovate her kitchen, something she had been putting off for years.

“I would really like to exercise,” she said. “I’ve been sitting at a desk for 23 years.”

Beckman said she was fortunate to be entrusted with the leadership of the visitors bureau and loves being on the front lines of Lodi’s tourism industry. She said she is excited about the future of the visitors bureau and that with change comes great opportunity.

“I know the trustees and the board will find someone who is enthusiastic and eager to bring great things to our region,” she said. “I think whoever comes in will take tourism to the next level. I can now sit back and watch the next phase of that growth, but from a different perspective as a private citizen.”