New Visit Florida Keys CEO named

Monday, 12 Aug, 2024 0

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.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Located in the heart of the Northeast and within easy driving distance of a third of the population of the...

ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, is an annually held B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry; it is designed...

Offering the most powerful portfolio in the industry, our 30 brands and 8,000+ properties across 139 countries and territories give...

In 2024, The Red Sea will be ready to welcome 300,000 guests in line with the completion of 16 hotels...

Cunard is the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2®, Queen Victoria® and Queen Elizabeth®. Renowned for impeccable White...

We make travel accessible for everyone We believe everyone should be free to experience the world. For us, there’s no...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

IHG Hotels & Resorts: Redefining Hospitality Excellence IHG Hotels & Resorts is a globally renowned hospitality company that stands at...

NSW, Australia Welcome to New South Wales – a place to feel free, feel alive, feel new. As the official...

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s assortment of adventures awaits you. Whether you want to relax on the beach as the sound of...

The State of Michigan is blessed with the riches of unspoiled nature: the nation’s longest freshwater coastline, lakes that feel like...

A state like no other. A place known for togetherness, celebration and happiness. In Louisiana, we call it “joie de...

It’s easy to find perfection in Santa Barbara, but what if there was even more of your favorite finds, activities,...

Jet2.com is the UK’s third largest airline, flying from ten UK airports to more than 60 destinations across Europe and beyond....

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying...