Visit Anaheim has named Mike Waterman as the new president and CEO of the nonprofit, which markets the city and books the convention center.
Waterman will join Visit Anaheim on April 29, it was announced Monday, after having been the chief sales officer for Visit Orlando, another theme-park-centric tourism hub.
“I am honored and excited to accept this amazing opportunity,” Waterman said in a news release. “My wife and I raised our family in Southern California and are very much looking forward to this next chapter. I am eager to work with the talented Visit Anaheim team and its local stakeholders to fulfill our mission and create new economic opportunities for the community.”
Waterman will lead Visit Anaheim as the city is looking to enhance oversight of the organization following a January report from the California State Auditor with that recommendation. Visit Anaheim officials have said they look forward to working with the city on those endeavors.
Waterman has had a long tenure in the tourism industry. Before Visit Orlando, he was the head of tourism marketing in Houston when the city hosted the Super Bowl. He was also the vice president of sales for Marriott International’s western region.
Visit Anaheim’s previous leader, Jay Burress, left in November after being with the organization for more than a decade.
Visit Anaheim is funded by getting the majority of a 2% assessment on hotel room rates from participating hotels in the city.
Source: Orange County Register
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