Visit Fargo-Moorhead Hosts Annual Luncheon, Awards Ceremony

This was the first annual luncheon for new CEO Shirley Hughes since she took over for the departing Charley Johnson in September of 2025.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Business owners, community organizers, and, of course, the leadership of Visit Fargo-Moorhead filled the Avalon Events Center on the afternoon of February 19.

There was a lot to champion regarding tourism in 2025 and its impacts on the local economy.

At the helm for her first-ever annual awards luncheon was the new CEO of Visit Fargo-Moorhead, Shirley Hughes.

She introduced herself by taking everyone on a trip down memory lane and speaking about how surreal it was for everything to have come full circle in this fashion.

“It’s a new chapter, and I’m super excited about it. It’s home. This is my home,” she said.

She says that like with any endeavor, there are places in which Visit Fargo-Moorhead can improve.

“Listen, I think we know that our Canadian market is a little soft,” she said. “We just want them to know that we’re here – when they’re ready to travel back to our region, we’re here, we’re ready for them.”

Still – she’s ready to get after it and see how successful their efforts are by 2027.

Hughes was appointed as CEO in September of last year, replacing the retiring Charley Johnson.

She says that progress with plans for the new convention center and increased travel to our area for youth sporting events are two big reasons to be excited moving forward.