Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Dooley.
Hi Tammy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Tammy Dooley serves as the Director of the City of Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Granbury), where she leads the city’s tourism and destination marketing efforts. She oversees key assets including the Lake Granbury Conference Center, the Granbury Visitor Center, the Langdon Arts Complex, and the Granbury Trolley—strategically promoting Granbury as one of Texas’ premier getaway destinations.
Under Tammy’s leadership, Granbury has earned national acclaim, being named the Best Historic Small Town in America four times—a distinction that reflects both her passion for the city and her commitment to excellence in tourism development. Her strategic vision has helped the city surpass $1 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenue annually for the past four years.
She also secured a five-year agreement to host Spartan and Tough Mudder races, projected to bring over $24 million in economic impact to the area.
In addition, she has successfully attracted and supported numerous other major events that bolster Granbury’s visibility and visitor traffic.
Most notably, Tammy was the driving force behind Granbury’s official designation as “The Celebration Capital of Texas.” In July 2023, following a joint legislative resolution, Governor Greg Abbott signed the declaration—a statewide recognition made possible by Tammy’s leadership in rallying city officials, stakeholders, and lawmakers around the vision.
A respected leader in the field, Tammy currently serves as President of the Texas Association of Fairs & Events (TAFE) and is a past recipient of TAFE’s Professional of the Year award. She also holds the prestigious Certified Festival & Event Executive (CFEE) designation from the International Festivals & Events Association.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a rewarding journey, though not always an easy one. Tourism and event development require a deep level of dedication—long hours, weekends, and constant attention to detail. But when you truly care about seeing your community, partners, and events thrive, the hard work feels worthwhile. I’ve always believed in perseverance and keeping a “stick-to-it” attitude. I’ve been told I work tirelessly and usually with a smile, even on the challenging days. I’ve learned that maintaining a positive outlook not only helps me, but also inspires the people around me.
One of my proudest personal milestones was going back to college after my son graduated high school to earn my degree. Balancing a full-time career and coursework wasn’t easy, but it was something I wanted to accomplish for myself. The experience taught me perseverance and reinforced that it’s never too late to pursue your goals. Over more than four decades in hospitality, tourism, events, and venue management, I’ve learned that growth never stops—and that knowledge gained through experience is truly invaluable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m incredibly fortunate to do what I love every day. As the Director of Visit Granbury, I get to tell the story of a place I believe in—its history, its people, and the sense of celebration that makes Granbury so special. My work centers around promoting our community as a premier destination, developing events that draw visitors, and supporting the businesses and people who make it all come together.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the awards or recognition—though being named the Best Historic Small Town in America four times and earning the title “Celebration Capital of Texas” are certainly highlights—it’s the sense of pride and unity that these achievements bring to our community. Seeing Granbury thrive, and knowing I had a part in that, is incredibly rewarding.
But beyond the numbers and accolades, what truly fulfills me is watching others—especially women in this industry—find their confidence, grow, and succeed. I’ve had wonderful mentors along the way, and I try to pay that forward every chance I get. I love seeing the people around me shine. That’s what really sets this work apart for me—it’s not just about tourism; it’s about people, passion, and purpose.
On a personal note, I’ve been fortunate to share life with a wonderful husband who also built a successful career in the same industry. Though he’s now retired, he’s been by my side through every step of my journey—my sounding board, my advisor, my greatest supporter, and at times, my most honest critic. I often joke that he’s now my “arm candy,” but truly, his unwavering support has been one of my greatest blessings. Not many people have that, and I never take it for granted.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just about titles or awards—though I’m proud of milestones like earning my degree as an adult, serving as President of the Texas Association of Fairs & Events, and being named Professional of the Year. True success, to me, is when the people around you—your team, your community, your partners—see and appreciate how hard you’re working for them. That recognition, that shared pride, is incredibly motivating.
It fuels me to keep going, to keep improving, and to never stop looking for what’s next. I joke that I’m always moving my own finish line back, because there’s always something more to learn, build, or celebrate. If you ever feel completely “caught up,” you’re probably not doing enough!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.visitgranbury.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitgranbury/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitgranbury
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@visitgranbury1957
Image Credits
Fox & Friends – Fox News, Hood County News
