President and CEO of Tampa Bay & Company to retire

The Tampa Bay & Company has announced that the current president and CEO will be retiring.

“The opportunity to work with such a dedicated, professional, exciting and fun staff is an incredible adventure,” said Paul Catoe, the retiring CEO. “Being part of the Bureau for more than 12 years was the most rewarding and exhilarating experience of my professional career. To be able to serve our board of directors, the county, the city, and most of all the community has been deeply gratifying.”

Catoe has served as the organization’s leader since 1999. In his years of service, Catoe left a mark on the Tampa Bay community and significantly raised the profile of the local hospitality industry. Under his leadership, Tampa Bay & Company grew in both size and stature, and it is now one of the leading economic development engines in the region.

“Paul has been a role model for his team, the community and the entire state of Florida,” said Jim Bartholomay, general manager of the Tampa Renaissance Hotel International Plaza and Chairman of Tampa Bay & Company Board of Directors. “His passion and love for Tampa Bay has produced remarkable results. He is a personal friend and mentor and I, along with the entire industry, will miss him tremendously.”

During his tenure, Catoe led Tampa Bay & Company to expand its scope by incorporating the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Tampa Bay Film Commission into its fold. The organization also underwent a major rebranding and repositioning effort, moving away from the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau moniker. Tampa Bay & Company also experienced phenomenal success in elevating the community’s reputation as a capable and competent host for significant national and international meetings, conventions and sporting events.

A search committee has been formed to hire Catoe’s replacement, although he will remain involved with Tampa Bay & Company following his official retirement. The Board of Directors has asked that he continue to work on the Republican National Convention, the 2015 Super Bowl bid and other projects.