FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – April 2nd, 2024 — On Thursday, March 28th, the HSMAI South Florida Chapter hosted the Annual South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale. The event brought together a diverse audience of sales, marketing and revenue management industry leaders seeking insights into the future of the Tri-County tourism promotion.Christina Davis, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, served as the event’s host, while Dr. Peter Ricci, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, expertly moderated the panel of speakers. The panel featured distinguished representatives from leading Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) across the state:

  • Andrew Wobensmith, Director of Research and Business Intelligence, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Carol Motley, SVP of Convention Sales & Services, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Gustav Weibull, VP of Business Intelligence, Strategy, and Destination Development, The Palm Beaches
  • Kelly Cavers, Chief Sales Officer, The Palm Beaches
  • Tony Cordo, Executive Vice President, Visit Lauderdale
  • Kizzy Sanchez, Regional Partnership Manager, VISIT FLORIDA
  • Lindsey Norris, Director of Industry Relations, VISIT FLORIDA

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Peter Ricci, Director of the Florida Atlantic University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, remarked, “I am pleased to witness the collective engagement of industry leaders at the Annual South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon. It is encouraging to reaffirm Florida’s leading position as the top destination for visitation in the United States and to observe the concerted efforts aimed at preserving this distinction. Moreover, amidst the discussions, it is evident that we can anticipate overall stability and resilience in 2023, as indicated by the input received thus far. Embracing the notion that ‘flat is the new good,’ we acknowledge the significance of maintaining equilibrium as we navigate the evolving tourism landscape.”

“The relationships between hotels and local CVBs and DMOs play a pivotal role in driving tourism growth,” emphasized Dr. Ricci. “These partnerships facilitate effective destination marketing, enhance visitor experiences, and contribute to the overall success of our region’s tourism initiatives.”

Throughout the luncheon, attendees gained valuable insights into emerging trends, sales and market strategies, and successful approaches to promoting South Florida’s vibrant tourism industry. Key topics included digital marketing innovations, the rise of experiential tourism, sustainable practices, and the importance of collaborative partnerships.

“The contributions of our esteemed speakers provided valuable insights that will undoubtedly shape the strategies of hotel businesses and organizations across the region,” added Christina Davis.

The success of the South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Tambourine, Venuelocity, and TripAdvisor.

Click Here to download a PDF of the South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast presentation.

For more information on the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, please visit Greater Miami CVB’s website.

For more information on The Palm Beaches, please visit The Palm Beaches’ website.

For more information on VISIT FLORIDA, please visit VISIT FLORIDA’s website.

For more information on Visit Lauderdale, please visit Visit Lauderdale’s website