A national search has resulted in Visit Jacksonville (Fla.) hiring a 42-year hospitality industry veteran as its new president and CEO.
Paul Astleford this week began his duties as the new president and chief executive officer at Visit Jacksonville after leading similar efforts for Experience Columbus (Ohio), where he served as its president and CEO since 2000.
“I see Jacksonville as a city with huge potential as a destination for corporate, group and leisure travel,” said Astleford. “I look forward to working with the city, community leaders and our hospitality industry and partners to elevate the awareness of all the assets northeast Florida has to offer.”
Astleford’s more than 42 years of hospitality industry experience includes destination-marketing experience as president and CEO for the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau. While in Columbus, he heightened awareness and recognition of and support for the visitor industry as a powerful economic development engine for Central Ohio. He also restructured and repositioned Experience Columbus to become the acknowledged sales and marketing arm of the city and the recognized orchestrator of the Columbus visitor experience. Astleford also worked as vice president of sales and marketing for Disney Resorts and the Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Astleford’s strong experience and knowledge of the industry were primary reasons for the decision to hire him.
“The tourism industry brings in over 3.2 million visitors annually to Jacksonville who have an economic impact of over $1.6 billion,” said Janice Lowe, board chair, Visit Jacksonville. “Visit Jacksonville’s sales efforts bring over 400 conventions, meetings and sports groups annually into Duval County and help to support the 43,000 hospitality industry employees in northeast Florida. With Paul’s vast experience, we expect he will be able to assist in growing these numbers to record levels.”
