The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has announced that David Whitaker has been appointed the next President and CEO of the destination marketing organization for Greater Miami and Miami Beach. The appointment is a homecoming for Whitaker who served as a member of the GMCVB team for 17 years (1990 – 2007), most recently as the organization’s EVP and CMO. Whitaker left Miami initially in 2007 due to an appointment to the role of President and CEO of Tourism Toronto (now Destination Toronto), where he led the organization for eight years.

During his tenure in Toronto, the organization was voted North America’s top convention and visitors bureau and convention center in a poll of over 650 meeting planners. Whitaker led successful bids to host an NBA All-Star Game and a Pan American/Parapan American Game.

After he left Toronto, and for the past five years, Whitaker has served as the President and CEO of Choose Chicago, the DMO for Chicago. During his tenure in Chicago, he had the responsibility of promoting and selling the largest convention center in the United States, McCormick Place. Under his leadership, the DMO successfully bid on and hosted an NBA All-Star Game, an MLS All-Star Game, North America’s first Laver Cup international tennis tournament, a NCAA Frozen Four, and numerous international soccer and rugby events. Chicago, as a destination, has been voted in a prestigious poll of savvy readers of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as “Best Big City” to visit for an unprecedented four consecutive years (2017 – 2020), all of which occurred under Whitaker’s leadership.

“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,” said GMCVB Chairman Bruce Orosz.

“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”.

“I am honored, thrilled and blessed to have the opportunity to return home,” said David Whitaker. “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.”

Whitaker will formally assume the role of President and CEO, effective August 16, 2021, but is expected to be formally introduced to the community at large at the GMCVB’s annual meeting held in October 2021. Bill Talbert, the GMCVB’s current President is expected to remain employed by the GMCVB in a consultancy capacity until October 2022 to assist Whitaker with transition matters.