JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
Visit Jacksonville has announced the selection of Paul Astleford as its next president and chief executive officer. Astleford arrives in Jacksonville after heading Experience Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as president and CEO since 2000.
Astleford has more than 42-years of hospitality industry experience, including destination-marketing experience as president and CEO for the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau. He worked as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Disney Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corporation as well.
Kerri Stewart, senior vice president at Infinity Global Solutions, a Jacksonville-based economic development and government affairs firm, has served as interim president for Visit Jacksonville for the last year. “The Visit Jacksonville team is a strong, experienced group of industry professionals” said Stewart. “They are excited about having such a well-respected industry leader at the helm in Jacksonville. The team is dedicated to bringing Jacksonville into the national spotlight and to making it a preferred travel destination in the competitive Florida and U.S. travel markets.”
Astleford starts work at Visit Jacksonville this week.
