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VISIT FLORIDA® Announces New Board of Directors

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2008

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (June 19, 2008) - VISIT FLORIDA®, the state's official tourism marketing corporation, has announced its new Board of Directors. Richard Goldman, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Amelia Island Plantation, has been elected chairman. Ed Fouche, Senior Vice President of Travel of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been elected to serve as chairman-elect. The new officers and Board assume their duties July 1 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

"Richard brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and wisdom to VISIT FLORIDA because of his involvement in all aspects of marketing, his experience in governmental relations and his leadership in the tourism industry in Florida," said Nicki Grossman, current VISIT FLORIDA chairman and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In his role at Amelia Island Plantation, Goldman is responsible for marketing the 1,350-acre, multi-faceted resort, where he guides a 22-member sales and marketing staff. He has more than 30 years of marketing experience in New York and Florida. As chair of VISIT FLORIDA, Goldman also serves on the Executive, Advertising/Internet and Government Relations Committees.

"The VISIT FLORIDA Board and staff have positioned Florida as a top travel destination," said Goldman. "I look forward to working with both the staff and the board in continuing the organization’s work to promote Florida worldwide."

Other members of VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors will include:
  • Immediate Past Chairman—Nicki E. Grossman, CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Chairman Elect—Ed Fouche, Senior Vice President of Travel of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
  • Treasurer—Darrel Jones, President and CEO of the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc.
  • Secretary—Tony Lapi, President and CEO of Tween Waters Inn
  • Vice Chairman, Marketing—Tammy Gustafson, Planning and National Accounts of Universal Orlando
  • Vice Chairman, Partner Development—Tom O’Brien, President of AAA Auto Club South
  • Vice Chairman, Governmental Relations—Thom Stork, President and CEO of The Florida Aquarium
    VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.


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