The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) recently announced the hiring of David Whitaker to serve as the agency’s CEO and president. Whitaker brings over 30 years of tourism marketing experience, including 17 years of prior involvement at GMCVB as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

Whitaker, who has also led tourism marketing agencies in Chicago and Toronto, is replacing William D. Talbert. Talbert is expected to remain with GMCVB as a consultant to help Whitaker transition into the role until October 2022.

“David brings back to us a rare and powerful combination – an immense wealth of experience and knowledge of our community, coupled with a significant world of experiences gained from promoting two of North America’s most diverse and global brands in Chicago and Toronto,” says Bruce Orosz, Chairman of GMCVB. “This combination, particularly with both cities he led excelling as major convention and event destinations, will help our hospitality industry and our partners take Greater Miami and Miami Beach to the next level. “David has also had great success in promoting diverse communities and exhibits a powerful passion for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The process to hire Whitaker began when a 14-member search committee of local businesses and community leaders was formed to conduct a six-month national search. His first official day as president and CEO will be Aug. 16, with his formal introduction to the community to occur at the bureau’s annual meeting in October.

“I am honored, thrilled and blessed to have the opportunity to return home,” Whitaker says. “First and foremost, I have the privilege of following in the footsteps of two amazing mentors and leaders – Merrett Stierheim and Bill Talbert. Secondly, I am joining an incredible team in place with a long legacy, and decades of promoting Greater Miami and Miami Beach as one of the world’s most distinctive and desired brands.”

For more information on the GMCVB, visit MiamiandBeaches.com.