Eisner stepping down as head of National Constitution Center

The head of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will step down in November.

David Eisner will have been CEO for three years.

He came in wanting to make the Constitution Center a national attraction, not just a regional one. Eisner oversaw the creation of a five-year strategic plan, put a branding campaign in place, and laid down what he calls an exhibition “pipeline,” which schedules the development and marketing of exhibition up to three years in the future.

“It’s a streamlining of the business model, but what it also is making the business model work,” said Eisner. “We’re no longer depending on gate revenues to subsidize our exhibits. Our feature exhibits, beginning with ‘Prohibition,’ are paid for before we open the doors. What we are able to make at the gate is gravy.”

“American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” is an original NCC exhibition about a short-lived amendment to the Constitution that made alcohol illegal in America. It opens in October, and then will travel to nine cities.

Eisner will work with the Constitution Center board to find his replacement. He says he has “big ideas” about what he will do next, but would not give details.