Carol Everhart's legacy is unmatched

It’s fitting that Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carol Everhart announced her retirement this week – quite possibly the biggest tourism week of the year – because her contributions to the Cape Region are immeasurable. 

While a date hasn’t been set, one thing is clear: An era is coming to a close.

When Everhart joined the chamber in the early 1990s and took the reins in 1996, the organization had a modest 100 members. Today, it boasts more than 1,300, making it the largest chamber in the state. Her secret? Optimism, listening and an unmatched ability to bring people together.

A single mother who started over in Delaware in 1979, Everhart built a life and a career from scratch. She transformed her small event-planning venture, Events by Everhart, into a launching pad for what would become one of the region’s biggest tourism draws – the beloved Sea Witch Festival. From its humble start with just 5,000 attendees, the festival now welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually, a testament to her creativity and community spirit.

At 81, Everhart is still vibrant and candid. “It’s the way today’s world is,” she said with a laugh, reflecting on why she knew it was time to step aside. Everhart acknowledges the chamber needs someone younger and more fluent in technology – another sign of her leadership: knowing when to pass the torch for the greater good.

Replacing someone of Everhart’s caliber will be no simple task. The Cultured Pearl owner and chamber board Chair Susan Wood put it best: “Carol’s why the chamber has been as amazing as it’s been.” The chamber's next leader will need not only skills and vision, but also heart. Her shoes will not be easy to fill. 

As Everhart prepares to help guide the transition, we thank her for everything she’s given to the Cape Region community. She may be retiring, but her legacy of community-building will remain deeply woven into the fabric of Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach for years to come.