A 30+ year tourism, hospitality, and economic development leader, Gordon Orr serves as CEO of both Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island—the region’s official Destination Marketing Organization—and Invest WindsorEssex, the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region.

In his dual role, Gordon is focused on fulfilling the mandates of both award-winning organizations by fostering strategic partnerships, driving regional growth and continuing to build a unified vision for economic development and tourism across the region.

In 2005, Destinations International awarded Gordon his Professional Certificate of Achievement in Destination Management, and in 2023 the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his over three-decade career in the tourism industry. Gordon’s career has included roles as Managing Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County & Pelee Island, and as a hotelier.

Gordon is a member of many Boards and Associations, including:

• Member, Ontario’s Southwest RTO1 Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Council
• Member, Canadian Destination Leadership Council
• Past Member, Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Chair, Public Relations Program Advisory Committee, St. Clair College
• Member, University of Windsor Board of Governors
• Immediate Past President, University of Windsor’s Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Member, WEtech Alliance Board of Directors

His commitment to public service is matched by his dedication to the community. In 2023, he received a 25 Year Volunteer Service Award from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration.

Gordon is a Windsor native and a proud graduate of the University of Windsor with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies, and he earned his Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University’s Schulich School of Business in 2012.