03/01/2010

Contact: Lyndsay Rossman at (904) 421-9153 or lrossman@visitjacksonville.com

 

Reyes Resigns as Visit Jacksonville President and CEO
Board of Directors to Conduct Nationwide Search for New Leader

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 1, 2010) - After five years as the leader of the city's tourism arm, Visit Jacksonville President and CEO John Reyes has submitted his resignation, effective March 19.  He has accepted the top position at the Monterey County (CA) Convention and Visitors Bureau, which includes the communities of Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach and Big Sur.

The Visit Jacksonville Board of Directors is assembling a search committee of executive board members who will work with a nationwide search firm to identify a new leader for the organization.  Certain executive qualities, chief among them experience in a thriving convention and visitors bureau, will be sought in the new leader.  The average time for this process is 120 days. 

"It will be difficult to find someone to replace John, who in his five years with Visit Jacksonville has brought strong leadership, dedication and vision to Jacksonville's tourism community," said Dan King, Visit Jacksonville chairman and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.  "John has led this organization and our industry to greater heights by positioning Jacksonville as a premiere destination for leisure and business travel during both highs and lows in the global economy.

"The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau has a defined tourism brand and this is an exceptional opportunity for him. We will certainly miss John and wish him and his family the best in the future," King added.

Accomplishments during Reyes' tenure include:

• Significantly grew the stature of the organization and the industry within the local community.
• Led the organization's name change from Jacksonville & Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau to Visit Jacksonville, clarifying the organization's mission.
• Developed the recognition of Jacksonville as a medical tourism destination through the "America's Health Center" initiative.
• Executed key initiatives that boost Jacksonville's appeal including the formation of the multicultural tourism committee and value season meeting program.
• Generated a record number of more than 200,000 room nights for booked meetings and groups.
• Boosted the destination's presence through marketing and public relations efforts on national and international levels.
• Opened the new Visit Jacksonville office and ground floor visitors center in the heart of Downtown.
• Won a total of eight prestigious Adrian Awards for marketing programs in the last two years.

Upon Reyes' departure, Mya Carter, senior director of marketing, will serve as the interim president until a replacement is hired.  Carter is a member of the executive leadership team. Prior to joining Visit Jacksonville in 2007, she served as the deputy director for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau for five years.

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Visit Jacksonville is the marketing organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida.  Along with its nearly 400 tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville stimulates economic impact, quality of life and recognition for the Northeast Florida region.  For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/.