TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday introduced his suggestion for Bryan Griffin, his present communications director, to turn out to be the following president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism advertising and marketing group.
Griffin has served because the communications director within the Govt Workplace of the Governor for the previous three years. Within the proposed new function, he would oversee VISIT FLORIDA’s mission to advertise the state to guests each nationally and internationally. Florida’s tourism trade is a significant financial driver, main the nation in customer numbers.
“Bryan has led the cost in speaking the message of the Free State of Florida for the previous three years from my workplace,” DeSantis stated. “I’m assured that he’s the most effective candidate for this function, and that he’ll effectively articulate the case for guests from throughout the nation and the globe to go to Florida. He has been a useful member of our group within the Govt Workplace, and we are going to enormously miss his presence and repair from the Capitol.”
Griffin, a local of Tampa, has a background in writing, communications, advertising and marketing, and advocacy. Previous to his function within the governor’s workplace, he served as a nationwide director for an advocacy group and owned and managed an actual property firm and a craft beverage taproom in Tampa.
“I sincerely thank Governor DeSantis for the chance to step into this new function and lead the trouble to speak our state’s many nation-leading, fascinating traits to the world,” Griffin stated. “Tourism is a important a part of the Florida economic system and instrumental to Florida’s continued low tax burden.”
“I stay up for working intently with the board, our native companions, the tourism trade, and the VISIT FLORIDA workers to advertise the shared values and distinctive options of the Free State of Florida, together with our world-class facilities, unmatched pure and historic websites, and our dedication to public security and order for all who go to,” he stated.
Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly voiced help for the advice.
“Bryan Griffin’s management expertise, dedication to public service and deep understanding of Florida’s strengths make him well-positioned to steer VISIT FLORIDA into this subsequent chapter,” Kelly stated. “As Florida continues to interrupt information in tourism, attracting guests from throughout the nation and all over the world, Bryan’s strategic imaginative and prescient and drive can be important in sustaining and increasing that momentum.”
Carol Dover, president & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Affiliation and a VISIT FLORIDA board govt committee member, additionally expressed help.
“All through his time with Governor DeSantis, Bryan has been a passionate advocate for Florida’s hospitality and tourism trade, and I stay up for persevering with the sturdy partnership between our organizations,” Dover stated.
She highlighted Griffin’s “firsthand expertise as a hospitality enterprise proprietor,” which she believes offers him “a deep understanding of the challenges and alternatives our trade faces.”
VISIT FLORIDA operates as a public-private partnership, matching public funding dollar-for-dollar to market the state.
The group performs a key function in selling Florida’s $142 billion trip model by means of world advertising and marketing and public relations efforts, offering help throughout crises and attracting conferences. VISIT FLORIDA claims an estimated return of $3.30 in tax income to the state for each public greenback invested.
The appointment is topic to approval by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Administrators. Dana Younger, the earlier president and CEO, introduced her retirement in December 2024 after six years within the function.
