Sunshine Matters

Today, as I begin my new role as President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, I wanted to share a message with our industry Partners and other key stakeholders.  First, let me say I am honored that the Board of Directors selected me to serve in this capacity and I enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with many of them as part of yesterday’s board meeting in Orlando.

This morning, as I am getting settled into my new office in Tallahassee, I brought staff together to introduce myself and assure them all that I am ready to get down to the business of marketing the Sunshine State to visitors around the world.  We went around the room with each staff member telling me about their role in the organization and I can tell you first hand that there are a lot of smart, hard-working, devoted and passionate people representing the industry at VISIT FLORIDA.

In the days to come, I will be meeting with each of the staff individually to learn more about what they do and to hear their ideas for moving forward successfully.  I will be personally reviewing all aspects of the day to day operations of this great organization to ensure we are fully accountable to the Governor, the Legislature and the taxpayers of Florida in all our endeavors.

In the weeks and months ahead, I will be traveling the state to meet with our industry Partners to better understand what they need from VISIT FLORIDA.  I will also be walking the halls of the Florida Capitol to speak directly with legislators about the vital role VISIT FLORIDA plays in growing the state’s economy by increasing tourism revenue.

VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry have a great deal to be proud of with five years of record visitation, visitor spending and tourism-related employment.  I want to work closely with you all to take that unprecedented growth to the next level.  I value the input and expertise of our industry leaders and Partners, and would be happy to hear from you at klawson@visitflorida.org.

I am excited about the future of VISIT FLORIDA and making our state the No. 1 travel destination in the world.