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.
