Fort Lauderdale, FL – April 3rd, 2025— Hospitality and tourism professionals from across South Florida gathered this week for an impactful panel event hosted by HSMAI South Florida. The session brought together top Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) executives from across the state and region to share actionable strategies for aligning with tourism efforts and driving commercial success.

Moderated by Dr. Peter Ricci, Director of Florida Atlantic University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, the event featured dynamic conversations around travel trends, revenue-driving opportunities, and future-forward strategies—all geared toward empowering hospitality leaders to collaborate more effectively with DMOs.

Featured Panelists Represented:

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)

• Andrew Wobensmith, Director – Research and Business Intelligence
• Carol Motley, SVP – Convention Sales and Services

Visit Lauderdale

• Camila Clark, SVP – Marketing & Communication
• Ted Botimer, VP – Research, Strategy & Revenue Management

Discover The Palm Beaches

• Gustav Weibull, VP – Business Intelligence, Strategy & Destination Development
• Kelly Carver, Chief Sales Officer

VISIT FLORIDA

• Brett Laiken, Chief Marketing Officer
• Lindsey Norris, Director of Industry Relations
• Kizzy Sanchez, Regional Partnership Manager

In addition to exploring state and regional marketing initiatives, panelists addressed the shifting travel outlook for key feeder markets—most notably Canada. While Canadian travelers play a vital role in fueling South Florida tourism, recent political tensions and tariff concerns have prompted some travelers to rethink their plans. Industry leaders emphasized the importance of monitoring sentiment and behavior changes from this market. 

Also of high interest to hoteliers around the region were discussions surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup and other major international tournaments. Panelists emphasized the potential impact of these global events on inbound travel, group business, and long-term brand exposure, encouraging attendees to begin preparing for increased demand and collaborative campaigns.

The success of the South Florida DMO Achievements & 2025 Forecast Luncheon was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Tambourine and TripAdvisor.

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About HSMAI South Florida:
HSMAI South Florida is the region’s premier organization dedicated to fueling the growth, innovation, and education of sales, marketing, and revenue professionals in hospitality and tourism. The chapter regularly hosts events designed to foster knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and industry excellence.

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 Lauderdale, please visit Visit Lauderdale's website.

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