Visit Orlando announced the appointment of Barb Bowden as Chair of its Board of Directors through December 31, 2026.
Previously serving as Chair-Elect, Bowden will now lead strategic guidance and act as a key advisor to Visit Orlando, a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to branding, marketing and selling the Orlando destination globally. The organization represents over 1,600 member companies across every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
“Barb brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to her role as Board Chair,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Together, we will advance Visit Orlando’s mission of driving tourism, fostering innovation, and delivering economic impact to our region.”
Bowden succeeds Terry Prather, who completed his two-year term in December 2024. Prather formally transitioned to his new role as Past Chair on January 1, 2025, ensuring continuity and leveraging his extensive experience to support the board.
Bowden is currently the Area Managing Director for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, where she previously served as Managing Director for Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. She spent 27 years at The Peabody Orlando, rising to the position of Vice President/General Manager. Bowden also actively contributes to the hospitality industry through additional roles with the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Rosen College Dean’s Advisory Board, among others.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue what Terry Prather and the many legacy leaders before him started,” said Bowden. “Looking ahead, global competition for visitors is intense and growing, so we want to be even more strategic and customized in our sales and marketing efforts to maintain Orlando’s spot as a top travel and meetings destination. As one of our country’s leading Destination Marketing Organizations, we must continue to innovate and create new opportunities to showcase the breadth and diversity of Orlando. Lastly, I want to ensure our community understands what we do and the value of tourism.”
Visit Orlando, which was established in 1984, is governed by a 36-member Board of Directors comprising representatives from diverse sectors, including government, tourism and community leadership. The organization also maintains a separate Audit and Oversight Committee comprised of board members and independent community volunteers from the financial field.
In August 2023, Visit Orlando released the annual economic impact report for the industry, which is generated by Tourism Economics. The report stated that tourism generated a $92.5 billion economic impact for the Orlando region, $6.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and $10,200 in annual taxes saved by Orange County households.
Full changes and new elections to the 2025 board include:
New Board Chair to serve through Dec. 31, 2026:
Barb Bowden, Area Managing Director, Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando
New Board Directors:
Adam Babington, Vice President of External Affairs, Walt Disney World
Trina Gregory, Owner of Se7en Bites
Anne-Marie Hayward, Market President & Publisher of the Orlando Business Journal
Marc Reicher, Executive Vice President/Florida Partner, For RIDA Development Corporation
Nicole Wilson, Commissioner, District 1, Orange County Government
Visit Orlando’s full Board of Directors for 2025 is as follows:
Executive Committee:
Barb Bowden, Chair, Area Managing Director, Ops, Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando
Terry Prather, Past-Chair, Chair of Dr. Phillips Charities
Charlie Freeman, Chair-Elect, Pres. Business Operations, Orlando Magic
Atish Shah, Secretary/Treasurer, EVP & CFO, Xenia Hotels & Resorts
Brian Comes (At-Large), Vice President of Field Operations, Americas, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Paul Mears III, President, Hello! Destination Management Company
Casandra Matej, President & CEO, President & CEO, Visit Orlando
Elected Directors:
David Buckalew, Business Owner, Buckalew Hospitality, LLC
John de Armas, CEO, Spectra Management
Jarrod Dillon, President of Business Operations, Orlando City Soccer
Jennifer Evins, President & CEO, United Arts of Central Florida
Steven Jamieson, Corporate Director of Operations, The Forbes Company
Chris Jaskiewicz, President & CEO, ICON Park
David Lutz, President & CEO, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
Claudia Menezes, Vice President, GoPegasus
Chris Mueller, General Manager, Hilton Orlando
Marc Reicher, Executive Vice President/Florida Partner, For RIDA Development Corporation
Sean Verney, Area General Manager, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
At-Large Directors
Brian Comes (Executive Committee), Vice President of Field Operations, Americas, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Dan Giordano, General Manager, Rosen Shingle Creek
Trina Gregory, Owner, SE7ENBITES
Erick Hawkins, Chief Administrative Officer, Orlando Health
Anne-Marie Hayward, Market President & Publisher, Orlando Business Journal
Ex-Officio Directors:
Robert Agrusa, President / CEO, Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association
Adam Babington,Vice President of External Affairs, Walt Disney World
Brooke Bonnett, Dir. Economic Development, City of Orlando
Brad Gilmour, Park President, Aquatica and Discovery Cove
Tim Giuliani, President & CEO, Orlando Economic Partnership
Roseann Harrington, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, Orange County Government
Gerald Hector, SR. VP-Administration & Finance, UCF
Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Orlando Resort
Mark Tester, Executive Director, Orange County Convention Center
Kevin Thibault, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
County Appointed Ex-Officio Directors
Evelyn Cardenas, CEO & President, Central Florida Auto Dealers Association, Inc.
Nicole Wilson, Commissioner, District 1, Orange County Government
General Counsel
William T. Dymond, Chairman, Lowndes
Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association®?for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World®?and No. 1 meeting destination in the country. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, we represent more than 1,600?member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
