New Visit Florida Keys CEO named

Kara Franker has been named the new president and CEO for Visit Florida Keys, the operations corporation for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

Franker has been CEO of Colorado’s Visit Estes Park since 2021.

She takes over in the new position on September 9.

“Kara’s diverse experience with tourism marketing and her enthusiasm for the Florida Keys make her a candidate exceptionally qualified,” said Diane Schmidt, TDC and VFK board member.

Franker is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), regarded as the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement by Destinations International.

The organization is recognized for defining global quality and performance standards in destination marketing and management.

She is the co-author of two tourism white papers on artificial intelligence and holds an executive certificate in artificial intelligence and business strategy from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

“I am so excited to join the team in the Florida Keys,” said Franker.

“It is a dream to represent such an incredible destination and community.”

Among Franker’s top goals is to achieve Destination Management Accreditation Program certification for the Florida Keys & Key West through Destinations International.

Her planned initial activities include a listening tour to get to know Keys residents and tourism stakeholders.

“I will focus on continuing the great work that has already been done and strengthening our community engagement,” said Franker.

Franker is an at-large board delegate to the U.S. Travel Association.

She’s also a member of Destinations International’s CDME board, its foundation and its global leadership and governance and nomination committees.

Franker previously served as SVP of marketing and communications for Visit Lauderdale in Broward County, Florida.

As founder of Kara Franker Inc. in Miami, she worked with clients VISIT FLORIDA and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau on strategic communications.

A seasoned travel journalist, Franker has been a Florida expert and specialist for Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Coastal Living, Travel Channel, Travelocity, Orbitz and other brands.

She served as editor-in-chief of several of Modern Luxury’s magazine titles in Palm Beach, Miami and Aspen.

She is also a Florida licensed attorney and was formerly Miami-Dade County assistant state attorney. 

Related News Stories:  What’s New in Florida 2024: Unveiling the Sunshine State’s …     Visit Orlando – TravelMole     Visit Tampa Bay rolls out new branded craft beer     Disney gets green light for a fifth Florida theme park     New for 2024 in the Florida Keys and Key West – TravelMole     Messi stars in latest Saudi tourism ad campaign – TravelMole     New Florida resort set to open in Punta Gorda     Visit Tampa Bay – TravelMole     Visit Orlando – TravelMole     Etihad launching new Saudi flights    

Related News Stories:  NEW CEO/PRESIDENT HIRED TO RUN FLORIDA KEYS TOURIST ...     Kara Franker Named The New CEO of Visit Florida Keys & Key West ...     Kara Franker - New President & CEO for Visit Florida Keys - ittn.ie     New Lead for Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Organisation     Kara Franker to Lead Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Organization ...     New PRELIMINARY Coastal Flood Maps | Monroe County, FL ...     Article Details     Baptist Health South Florida Names Drew Grossman CEO of ...     NOAA names Sarah Fangman and Lisa Symons to key posts at ...     Erin M. Duggan Named New President and CEO of Visit Sarasota ...