For more than three decades, David Whitaker has distinguished himself as a respected industry
leader, both in the communities he has served, and on a global travel, tourism and convention
industry stage.
Named President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2021, the
appointment was a homecoming for Whitaker, who previously held GMCVB leadership positions
from 1990 to 2007. As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, he is credited with
accelerating the GMCVB’s efforts to build and execute successful marketing strategies, each year
growing domestic and international travel to the destination.
As a veteran of the destination’s tourism and hospitality industry, Whitaker has been at the
forefront of attracting renowned events and marquee initiatives to Greater Miami and Miami
Beach, from helping Miami secure and host Super Bowls in 1995, 1999 and again in 2007, to
hosting two U.S. Travel Association IPW Global Conferences in 1994 and 1999.
More recently, Miami was named a host city for the 2026 World Cup, and the destination has
been featured with its 3rd annual Michelin Guide. In 2022, Bon Appétit named Miami as their
“Food City of the Year” – all this, underscoring his commitment and the GMCVB’s role in
positioning Miami-Dade County as a true “live, work, and play” destination for visitors and
residents alike. Upon his return, the GMCVB has also taken on a significantly increased
responsibility to successfully market and book future conventions and events at the newly
imagined and expanded Miami Beach Convention Center.
Miami-Dade County as a destination has enjoyed one of the fastest recoveries from the travel
and event challenges associated with the pandemic. In 2023, Greater Miami and Miami Beach
hotels enjoyed the third highest ranking nationally in terms of “Revenue Per Available Room”
which is a combination of occupancy and average daily rate.
Previously, the industry veteran served as President & CEO of Choose Chicago, President & CEO
of Tourism Toronto, and Chief Marketing Officer for Brand USA. He began his professional career
in Miami serving on the Executive Staff of the United Way of Miami-Dade.
Throughout his career, he’s been honored for many accomplishments, and more importantly,
those of the destinations he represented: in Chicago, where he promoted and sold the largest
convention center in the U.S., the destination was named in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler
Readers’ Choice Awards as “Best Big City” to visit an unprecedented five consecutive years; in
Toronto, both the visitors bureau and convention center were voted North America’s best.
Committed to both his community and industry, Whitaker currently serves or has served in
leadership roles on the boards of US Travel, the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association
(GMBHA), Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC), Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Orange
Bowl Committee, Florida TaxWatch, Camillus House, Curley’s House of Style, Neat Streets Miami
and South Florida Workforce Investment Board.
A graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication &
Public Relations, the avid boater and long-time supporter of the performing arts resides in South
Miami with his wife Lily.