Sunshine Matters

Today the Florida tourism industry mourns the passing of one of our Founding Fathers.  Tom Staed served as VISIT FLORIDA’s chairman of the board of directors in 1997-1998 and was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame Founders Club in 2001 and the Florida Council of Tourism Leaders in 2012.  Tom, a longtime Daytona Beach hotel operator, was a vital figure in the establishment of Florida’s Tourist Development Tax, as well as the assignment of the state’s tourism marketing responsibility to the Florida Commission on Tourism and the creation of VISIT FLORIDA as its operating company.

Tom was an influential force in the development of tourism marketing in the Sunshine State and an inspiration to many in the business.  While we are saddened by his death, we are proud to honor his accomplishments and thank Tom most especially for his vision and tireless efforts to grow the Florida tourism industry into the world-wide leader it is today.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to may make tax-deductible donations for the specific purpose of scholarships in Tom’s name to the following organizations:

• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
• Christian Brothers High School, 5900 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120-2174
• Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties, 101 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 400, Deland, FL 32720