Visit Florida Keys Appoints Chief Sales Officer, EVP

Visit Florida Keys has appointed Ed Simon as chief sales officer and executive vice president for Visit Florida Keys & Key West.

As executive vice president and chief sales officer, Simon will drive the strategic direction of both sales and business development efforts, with a focus on leisure sales, group meetings, events, and long-term partnerships.

Simon has more than three decades of expertise in travel and tourism, including having served as executive vice president for Visit Lauderdale (the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau), where he led the sales, sports business development, and destination services divisions. He has also served as vice president of sales for destination hotels, and regional vice president of sales and marketing with Remington Hotels.

He brings “a deep and powerful network of industry relationships” to the job, Visit Florida Keys said in its announcement.

“Ed’s strategic vision, innovative mindset and deep industry expertise will be instrumental as we amplify our sales initiatives and broaden our reach in key global markets,” said Kara Franker, president and CEO for Visit Florida Keys. “His track record of driving growth and leading high-performing teams speaks for itself, and we feel extremely fortunate to welcome him.”