Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA has selected our new leadership to serve on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and industry committees.  More than 220 VISIT FLORIDA Partners, including some of the industry’s foremost experts, have been selected to represent the tourism industry for the upcoming term which begins on July 1.

John Tomlin, recently retired Chief Operating Officer for the Auto Club Group, will take over as the new Chairman of the 2015-2016 VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors.  Tomlin succeeds Andrew Hertz, President and General Manager of Miami Seaquarium, who served as Chairman during a year in which Florida welcomed a fourth consecutive record number of visitors, visitor spending and tourism-related employment.

As a passionate promoter of Florida tourism, Andrew has done a tremendous job leading the industry this past year. As we build on this momentum, I cannot think of a better successor than John who brings years of experience and extensive travel industry knowledge to his new leadership position with VISIT FLORIDA.

The Board of Directors is the organization’s private sector governing body who, along with the members of its 11 committees, provide guidance, input and insight into the evolution of VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing programs.  Appointed by Enterprise Florida in conjunction with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the 31-member board is comprised of representatives from key sectors of the tourism industry and is balanced geographically throughout the state.  The nine-member Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, made up of the officers and standing committee chairs, serves as the highest level of VISIT FLORIDA’s volunteer leadership.

“Throughout its history, VISIT FLORIDA’s greatest strength has been that it is industry driven,” said Andrew Hertz, out-going Chairman of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors. “The best and brightest minds in Florida tourism have helped guide VISIT FLORIDA to make it the pre-eminent model of how the private and public sectors can successfully work together in support of destination marketing.”  

During his upcoming year as Chairman of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, Tomlin intends to focus on promoting the Sunshine State as the perfect place for families, friends and co-workers to create memories that last a lifetime.

“I’m excited to work alongside my experienced industry colleagues on the Executive Committee, Board and committees, as well as the talented and driven staff at VISIT FLORIDA, to make sure people all around the world know what a special place this is to visit,” said Tomlin. “Coming off of our fourth consecutive record-setting year, we are better positioned than ever to make Florida the No. 1 travel destination in the world.”

To view a sortable list of all Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Committee members, please click here.