If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume to Kellie Henderson @ henderson@searchwideglobal.com

All submissions must be received by May 12, 2023.

POSITION SUMMARY

The President & CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), an accredited private not-for-profit 501C6 corporation contracted by the Board of County Commission of Palm Beach Country, Florida, provides the vision and leadership required to achieve and sustain The Palm Beaches as Floridas premier travel destination. The President & CEO advances the DTPB mission and drives achievement of the long-range strategic plan while ensuring professional and fiscal integrity of the organization. This highly visible community leader interfaces with key industry, government, media and tourism leaders serving as the key spokesperson for the organization and is responsible for creating a supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture that inspires and promotes a continued focus on excellence He/she is responsible for the adoption of industry best practices, including the assembly and management of a team of destination marketing professionals who, collectively, demonstrate excellence in tourism research, sales, marketing, brand management, promotion, community, and destination development. He/she is also the custodian of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) public revenues and responsible for overall development and implementation of policies and programs that protect public assets and support the established strategic plan for the destination. The President & CEO reports to the Board of Directors of DTPB and works collaboratively with the Tourism Development Council (TDC) Executive Director and the other agencies that report to the TDC to advance the image and economic welfare of Palm Beach County.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY

The President & CEO is responsible for the growth of both tourism and convention business by developing and executing effective marketing, sales, and community engagement strategies as well as providing strategic leadership for, and oversight of, every aspect of the organizations operations.

AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Sales and Marketing

• Oversees the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role which encompasses the creation and deployment of strategies and tactics to bring the brand to life across all communication channels (traditional, social, and digital media/advertising, public relations, etc.) driving new visitation and increasing loyalty among existing visitors while generating resident engagement and support.
• Oversees the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) role which encompasses efforts to increase meetings, conventions, special events, and travel trade relations, collectively, to maximize visitation of the destination, minimize seasonality, and align with county economic development strategies.
• Develops and supervises the implementation of an annual marketing and sales plan to promote The Palm Beaches to local, state, regional, national, and international audiences.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for the organization and destination particularly in crisis situations requiring clarity, truth, and moderation.
• Establishes and maintains ongoing effective communications with community members, government leaders, business and cultural institution leaders, convention, and event planners, local and national tourism industry officials to effectively develop collaborative marketing and sales strategies.
• Represents the organization at selected state, regional, national, and international conventions as well as other business meetings that facilitate achievement of the organizations mission.
• Maintains membership in good standing and accreditation with Destinations International to encourage the continuous application and use of industry best practices, the latest research, vetted suppliers, and innovative sales, brand management and marketing strategies.
• Pursues industry leadership roles and serves on committees and boards of related organizations to enhance the image of the organization/destination and stay abreast of latest trends impacting destination marketing.
• Works collaboratively with Palm Beach International Airport leadership to support additional airlift from existing and emerging markets.
• Works collaboratively with various Palm Beach County Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations to advance shared economic development objectives, address challenges, advocate for solutions, and increase visitors.
• Ensures the availability and timely deployment of crises management plans to minimize damage to the destinations image and accelerate post incident recovery. Such plans may include contingencies and communications actions in the event of hurricanes, social unrest, mass shootings, or policy generated travel boycotts, among others.

Organizational Sustainability

Oversees role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Research/Strategy/Development to address the talent, financial, governance, information technology, research, and destination development efforts required to achieve the organizations vision, mission, and strategic goals over the long term.

Finance

• Directs the preparation of the annual budget that supports the organizations activities and provides competitive compensation and benefits for the employee team. Presents the annual budget to the Board for approval.
• Reviews all financial reporting monthly to ensure the adequacy and soundness of the organizations financial condition and holds regular financial reviews with department heads to ensure each department receives timely and effective communications regarding their performance.
• Collaborates with the executive management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, effective organizational processes/policies, and appropriate talent to support the strategic and operational objectives of the organization.
• Advocates for operational funding continuity from traditional sources and identifies and pursues non-traditional sources. These may include Tourism Improvement Districts, publications or research fees, enhanced coop and trade event programs, special marketing fees from golf, boating, food & beverage or other tourism and non-traditional industry sectors
• Ensures the annual audit takes place in compliance with County guidelines and confirms satisfactory results through appropriate and ongoing internal control systems.
• Manages appropriate compliance with all provisions of the contract with Palm Beach County and the process for yearly contract amendments with the goal of enhancing operational agility and the related benefit to Palm Beach County tourism. Ensures compliance to confirm contract renewal every five years.
• Reviews and approves all invoices for services rendered by suppliers to the organization or products purchased, authorizes all payments, and approves reimbursement requests to the County.
• Leads by example in promoting high ethical standards that reflect the role as custodian of public funds, an entrepreneurial approach and unwavering fiscal responsibility.

Talent

• Attracts, recruits, trains, mentors, and retains qualified members of the management team in an environment that provides for career development and recognizes individual achievement.
• Fosters a success-oriented, engaged, and accountable environment within the organization by regularly articulating the vision for both the organization and destination and by establishing, communicating, and implementing, appropriate standards of performance.
• Ensures all organizational activities are implemented within established policies, guidelines, state, and federal laws and consistent with the highest ethical standards.
• Ensures the application of a performance management system to monitor and improve individual performance. Regularly analyzes overall performance and results of all functional areas within the organization relative to the established performance objectives and ensures appropriate steps are taken to correct any deficient conditions.
• Fosters a culture that celebrates and affirms the value of people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, socioeconomic status, ability and more.
• Leads the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that showcase The Palm Beaches as a diverse and inclusive place that welcomes everyone.

Research/Destination Development

• Ensures the maintenance of a comprehensive research function that analyses past performance, tracks brand performance and resident sentiment, forecasts need periods and gathers an array of business intelligence and insights to enhance decision making and the ROI of marketing and sales strategies.
• Plays a leading role in development of the Tourism Master Plan to chart a long term and consensus-based roadmap for the tourism industry over the next 20 years.
• Oversees the destination development master plan and advocates for key destination defining infrastructure such as Convention Center District and other lodging, iconic landmarks, attractions, arts, sports, and other facilities to generate demand and maintain destination competitiveness.
• Oversees the business intelligence and research initiatives that guide all marketing and sales investment decisions.

Governance

• Assists the Chair of the Governance Committee and works with board members on the overall management of board recruitment efforts, volunteer leadership continuity and updates bylaws to reflect latest and best industry trends and practices.
• Manages the appropriate secretarial functions for the organizations board, drafting and maintaining minutes of committee and board meetings and providing timely and appropriate agenda items and materials for chair and board review prior to meetings.
• Plans and attends all meetings of the board of directors, TDC, and calls special meetings when required.
• Provides the board of directors with monthly financial and operating reports.
• Serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the board of directors; attends all meetings of the board of directors, the Executive Committee, and all other committees of the Board as needed or appropriate. Regularly reports the activities of the organization to the Board.
• Advocates for a contractual relationship and business climate that reduces any administrative burden and improves operational efficiency.

Community Engagement

• Oversees the Community Engagement team which aims to establish destination leadership as a shared community value, looking to raise the profile of destination marketing and tourism development as must have strategies for county and city governments supported by the community at large.
• Promotes broad local understanding of tourisms vital role in economic development and quality of life resulting in increased stakeholder participation and financial, in-kind, and value-added resources for the organizations competitiveness.
• Maintains close and effective communications with the County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, leaders of other TDC agencies, TDC Board, the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the Business Development Board, Economic Council, Business Forum, Chambers of Commerce, Historical Societies, and other leading organizations in the county to communicate the organizations and destinations progress and ongoing needs.

ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR SUPERVISION:

The President & CEO has full responsibility and ultimate authority for staff recruitment, supervisory decision making for direct reports as well as for all team members within the organization. Direct reports include Assistant to the CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Sales Officer, and Associate VP- Research, Strategy and Destination Development.

The President & CEO:

• Establishes the overarching organizational structure that ensures best use of resources to inspire travel to the destination.
• Makes decisions related to the selection, promotion, transfer, compensation, and performance improvement of all team members.
• Assures appropriate training is facilitated for new employees, personally participating as necessary, to ensure established procedures are clearly understood and followed.
• Makes him/herself visible and available to team members; answers employee questions, resolves work-related problems, and interprets organizational policies for staff to improve the quality and quantity of work performed.
• Monitors the work performance of direct reports on a continual basis, conducts effective performance appraisals and takes corrective action whenever necessary.
• Creates a working environment in which team members are motivated to develop their skills and abilities. Demonstrates by personal example the desired standards of conduct and work performance.
• Administers company policies in a fair and equitable manner and documents all incidents and actions taken.

ABOUT DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES

THE ORGANIZATION

DISCOVER PALM BEACH COUNTY INC dba DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES (DTPB) serves as Palm Beach Countys official source for travel planning to visitors around the US and internationally. It is a Destinations International accredited private non-profit corporation that delivers professional destination marketing services for Palm Beach County through the application of a wide range of marketing, sales, product development and community engagement strategies as established in a multi-year contract with the Board of County Commissioners. This contract is approved, endorsed, and monitored by the Tourism Development Council. Its activities and strategies are anchored on Destinations International platforms such as the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) and DestinationNEXT. It is funded primarily through a portion of the tourism taxes (TDT) collected by the hotels and other accommodations as well as hospitality partner support and cooperative programs.

Palm Beach Countys Tourism industry delivers $6.9 billion in direct visitor spending which generated over $10 billion in total economic impact in 2022. Almost $500 million in state and local taxes are generated from tourism. Without this revenue, each household would need to pay an additional $900 in taxes annually. In addition, almost 85,000 jobs, one in every ten households, are supported by tourism, generating $2.4 billion in personal income to residents of Palm Beach County.

As the official tourism marketing organization charged with promoting Palm Beach County as a leisure travel and meetings destination, Discover the Palm Beaches plans and executes strategies in sales, marketing, research, visitor services, product development and industry relations. The goal is to deliver the right message, through the right medium, to the right audience, at the right time, to maximize brand awareness that inspires visitation to Palm Beach County on a year-round basis. Key strategies focus on visitor acquisition, protecting and developing the brand, community engagement and enhancing market share. DTPB pursues cooperative and collaborative strategies with other TDC funded entities (Cultural Council, Film and TV Commission, Sports Commission, Environmental Resources Management, and the Palm Beach County Convention Center) as well as the Business Development Board, Chambers of Commerce, and other leading organizations to promote broad alignment and synergies in messaging, overall market reach and economic development.

This Destination Marketing Plan is the roadmap that guides the DTPBs efforts for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The plan has been developed by DTPB staff based on research about relevant industry and consumer trends, as well as input and insights from key industry stakeholders, The Portrait of American Travel Report, Brand USA, US Travel Association, Destinations International, state tourism trends, partner surveys and the Board of Directors, among others.

DTPB must prioritize its resources to focus only on programs that maximize impact and create value for travelers and industry partners/stakeholders while working collaboratively with cities and county leaders to grow the tourism product. Hence, its efforts center on three pillars: