Sharon Wyman, Chief Operating Officer has a 20 plus-year tenure at Discover Long Island, the region’s official tourism organization, she has committed her career to helping the organization further Long Island’s now $6.3 billion tourism economy. Rising through the ranks from an information specialist to Executive Assistant, to Office Manager, to Director of Administration and now Chief Operating Officer, Sharon has helped steer the 43-year-old organization through at least two financial crises, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite tourism and hospitality being the industry hit hardest by the pandemic, Sharon maintained the organization’s entire staff and strategically shifted team members’ roles and responsibilities to uphold the organization’s vitality and meet their changing needs. By restructuring the team, the organization was able assist hundreds of industry partners when they needed it most – providing up-to-date information and resources along with fierce advocacy for the industry’s needs in real time.
Sharon was instrumental to the overhaul and rebranding of the tourism agency when the CEO and President arrived seven years ago. Under her leadership, and with Sharon’s key insights and assistance, the organization grew from a fragmented regional visitor bureau to an award-winning brand and industry leader in innovation, destination marketing and more.
Sharon also helped increase the organization’s staff by 60 percent as of June 2022 – creating several new local hospitality jobs on Long Island. Instead of outsourcing PR or Video/Creative work, Sharon remains committed to securing and maintaining quality in house talent to continue to enhance the organization’s cutting-edge capabilities.
With the Discover Long Island’s slate of in-house experts on board, the organization recently launched the Long Island Tea – a weekly podcast where Sharon cohosts alongside the CEO. The two hosts ‘spill the tea’ on #LongIslandLife, seasonal adventures and insider tips, while sipping on Long Island wines.
Sharon Wyman lives in Bay Shore where she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband, living their best Long Island life by spending their time exploring and adventuring some of her favorite spots such as Robert Moses State Park, and local downtown villages.
