Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA would like to congratulate Chris Thompson and Brand USA on their success in establishing a strong national destination marketing organization that is driving increased travel to the United States.  Their latest efforts to attract visitors from around the globe are spotlighted in a  recent article by the Washington Post. Continue reading »

Today, VISIT FLORIDA is proud to announce the selection of Will Seccombe as its new President and CEO.  Will, our Chief Marketing Officer since 2008, has been serving as the Acting President and CEO since Chris Thompson’s departure to head Brand USA.  Today’s unanimous vote by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors to have Will become Chris’ permanent replacement is the culmination of a deliberate process by a six-member executive search committee in concert with the national recruiting firm SearchWide. Continue reading »

Today, VISIT FLORIDA held a Board of Directors meeting to establish a formal process for filling its soon-to-be vacant President and CEO position. This vacancy was created when Chris Thompson was officially announced as Brand USA’s new President and CEO, effective November 1, 2012.  As part of the meeting, a formal search committee made up of six board members was appointed. The board voted unanimously to have Will Seccombe, VISIT FLORIDA’s CMO since 2008, serve as Acting President and CEO to bridge the time between Thompson’s departure and the naming of a permanent replacement. Continue reading »

Brand USA today named the new leader for national tourism: our own Chris Thompson, VISIT FLORIDA’s president and CEO.  There is no better choice for the job.

I congratulate Chris on this exciting opportunity to replicate at the national level the successes he has achieved at VISIT FLORIDA.  In the past three years, Chris has proven he has the vision, passion and commitment to build and lead a world-class organization that will increase the economic impact of international visitors to the United States. Continue reading »

I am proud to announce VISIT FLORIDA’s new Airline Grant Program, which will support Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) within the state and stimulate the Florida economy by expanding international air service to the Sunshine State. VISIT FLORIDA will budget up to $250,000 per year through 2016 to support the program.

“The Airline Grant program is an innovative initiative that will ensure Florida remains at the forefront of international air service expansion opportunities,” said Chris Thompson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “As we continue to position ourselves as the No. 1 travel destination in the world, this is a great way for the state to attract new overseas travelers by creating inbound flights to Florida.” Continue reading »