Visit Panama City Beach Names New CEO

Griff Griffitts is taking over as president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach, the official destination marketing organization for the city.

Griffitts, a third-generation Bay County resident and FSU graduate, has spent more than four decades in the hospitality industry. His resume includes operating a Panama City Beach-based hotel, serving on the Bay County Tourist Development Council, and serving as Bay County commissioner for District 5, an area that includes all of Panama City Beach.

He also serves in the Florida House of Representatives, first elected in 2022. He will serve out his term, which ends in 2026, while also working in the new role.

“Panama City Beach is my home; as a third-generation Bay County resident, I have a deep love for the community and am honored to join a talented team of people who truly love this destination and want to see it succeed,” Griffitts said. “I look forward to advancing the important work this organization has been doing for decades.”

Panama City Beach is located at the top of the Florida Panhandle, 47 miles east of Destin. According to the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, tourism supports more than 30,000 local jobs, making it the area’s top industry. Visitor spending, which includes the significant drive-in market, generates over $3 billion annually.