Under the tutelage of D.T. Minich, executive director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Pinellas County has been enjoying record growth in monthly tax collections on overnight stays in the past three years. So it's all the more surprising that Minich is ditching the Gulf Coast to go do the same job in Kissimmee, Florida.
In a statement issued this morning, Minich writes that "this was not an easy decision to make," but nevertheless he'll begin his new gig at the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau on Aug. 15. The bureau promotes not only activities in Kissimmee and its home county, Osceola, but touts its close proximity to Orlandos' Disney and Universal theme parks and resorts.
Minich announced this spring that revenue from the 5 percent tax levied on hotels and motels was up about 10 percent over last year’s record collections in the first three months of 2013, when the county brought in a record 5,579,900 overnight visitors. That was in turn an increase from 2012.
The Pinellas convention and visitors bureau was rebranded as Visit St. Pete/Clearwater under Minich's tenure.
Minich's letter says he's leaving the bureau in “the incredibly capable hands” of Deputy Director David Downing. Whether that means a change of title for Downing remains to be seen. He's been an integral player in much of the cool stuff the chamber has come up with in recent years to update the county's public image — the slightly snarky ad campaigns in non-sunny climes, the April Fool's “manaphin” hoax — so he'd be a likely choice for the top spot.
Here's Minich's letter in full:
Dear Industry Partners:
It is with mixed emotions that I'm writing to let you know that, after seven wonderful years as Executive Director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, I'm moving on to pursue an amazing opportunity at the Kissimmee CVB, effective Aug. 15, 2014.
As you might imagine, this was not an easy decision to make. I have many fond memories of my time here, and I'm extremely proud of all the accomplishments we have achieved together as an industry. I'm also extremely proud of my incredibly talented and dedicated CVB staff, whose hard work and dedication is responsible for the amazing leaps we have made in Pinellas County tourism.
Although I'll miss all of your greatly, I take heart in knowing that I'm leaving the local tourism industry poised to continue in record-setting territory, with an incredibly strong brand and every-growing international reputation. I'm also confident knowing that I'm leaving the bureau in the incredibly capable hands of my friend and Deputy Director, David Downing, who has worked tirelessly alongside me every step of the way and whose insight, talent and leadership I've come to rely on in every aspect of managing this organization.Of course, this is not a true farewell. I'll continue to see many of you on a regular basis—-this is a wonderfully tight-knit industry and Kissimmee isn't that far away—-but no matter where our paths may lead, a part of me will forever be here in St. Pete/Clearwater.
It's been an honor and a pleasure, and I look forward to even greater things to come for VSPC.
