Whitaker Is Back In Miami
David Whitaker has been named the next President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).
The appointment marks a homecoming for Whitaker, who served as a member of the GMCVB team for 17 years (1990 – 2007), most recently as the organization’s Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer. Five years prior to that, he served on the executive staff of the United Way of Miami-Dade.
Whitaker left Miami initially in 2007 due to an appointment to the role of President & CEO of Tourism Toronto (now known as Destination Toronto).
Over the past five years, Whitaker has served as the President & CEO of Choose Chicago, the DMO for Chicago.
GMCVB Chairman Bruce Orosz, said that: “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.”
Commenting on his selection, Whitaker said: “I am honored, thrilled and blessed to have the opportunity to return home. 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 anticipated to remain employed by the GMCVB in a consultancy capacity until October 2022 to assist Whitaker with transition matters.
