Experience Kissimmee Celebrates Destination Professionals Day

Kissimmee, Fla. (February 19, 2025) – Experience Kissimmee, the official tourism authority dedicated to promoting Osceola County, is proud to celebrate February 19, 2025, as Destination Professionals Day to honor the people and organizations that drive tourism, economic growth and community vitality worldwide. 

The date holds special significance: on February 19, 1896, members of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Manufacturers Club came together at the Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, to form the world’s first destination organization, the Detroit Convention and Businessman’s League. With a mission of “hustling for conventions,” this group laid the foundation for an industry that has since grown into a global economic and social progress driver. 

Today, there are more than 10,000 destination organizations around the world representing a broad spectrum of entities, including destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), tourism boards, sports commissions and film offices. These organizations are a cornerstone of the travel and tourism industry, which employs almost 348 million people and was expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP – more than $11 trillion – to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. 

In Osceola County, the impact of Experience Kissimmee includes:  

• Visitation for the county was more than 10.4 million visitors in 2024 alone.  

• Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections have reached $81.3 million in FY 23-24.  

• International representation is promoting Central Florida to 17 countries, furthering global reach. 

• The Kissimmee Sports Commission has produced over 450,000 room nights and 121 events in 2024. The overall economic impact from sports events alone has exceeded $1 billion. 

• The Meetings Sales & Services Team has contracted 370,709 room nights, and since May 1, 2023, the organization’s partnership with Trees4Travel has planted 60,102 trees to offset carbon emissions from travel. 

  

Why February 19 Matters 

Recognizing February 19 as Destination Professionals Day aims to raise awareness by highlighting the vital contributions of destination professionals in enriching community life and driving economic development; celebrate the achievements and recognize the hard work and dedication of destination professionals across all roles and organizations; and inspire future destination leaders by showcasing the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the sector to attract the next generation of professionals. 

The selection of February 19 as Destination Professionals Day pays homage to the founding of the first destination organization 129 years ago that sparked a global movement that continues to transform destinations like Kissimmee into ideal places to visit, live, work, play and invest. 

  

Quotes from Experience Kissimmee Executives 

DT Minich, President and CEO at Experience Kissimmee 

• What do you love most about working for a destination?
  I think it’s the people who make working for a destination worthwhile—not just the incredible team we have at Experience Kissimmee but the people I meet all over the world. I have the opportunity to tell them what a fantastic destination this is for leisure, business, and meetings. 

• What are you proud of that Experience Kissimmee does for Osceola County?
  In the past few years, we have intensified our efforts to become more involved in the local community, whether through local organizations or charities. We also collaborate with the county on initiatives that affect tourism and the quality of life in our community.  

•  What value do DMOs bring to a destination? 
  I think we bring incredible value, as tourism is the number one industry in our county and the biggest employer. We also make major contributions to local charities and events that not only benefit tourists, but our local residents as well. We are no longer just a marketing organization but also an important community organization.  

 

Misty Johantgen, Chief Operating Officer  

• What do you love most about working for a destination?   
  What I love most about working for a DMO is the people I get to meet and work with.  In Kissimmee's tourism and hospitality industry, there is a real sense of “we’re all in this together,” which makes our work feel like it makes a difference.  

• What are you proud of that Experience Kissimmee does for Osceola County?    
  Besides tourism’s obvious positive economic impact, Experience Kissimmee is working hard to make sure our destination provides a welcoming experience for all visitors, regardless of where they come from.  

• What value do DMOs bring to a destination? 
  The traditional role of a DMO being “just a marketing organization” is evolving into something more entwined in the fabric of the community.  Having a seat at the table when conversations about community issues occur is as important as rolling out a new marketing campaign.  The success or failure of the DMO is directly tied to the health and wellbeing of the community and its residents. 

 

Casey Leppanen, Chief Marketing Officer  

• What do you love most about working for a destination?   
  We have the exciting opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of partners, each with distinct characteristics and needs. Our partners range from small, locally owned businesses to some of the most iconic, world-famous theme parks. This diversity in our partnerships allows our marketing team to constantly think outside the box, fostering a creative and dynamic environment. Every collaboration presents a unique challenge, allowing us to develop innovative marketing strategies, compelling content, and exclusive campaigns tailored to each partner's goals.  
   
  By working with such a broad array of partners, we are able to design customized marketing solutions that not only drive visitation to the destination but also focus on helping to increase revenue and visibility for local businesses. Our team’s adaptability and creativity ensure that we can craft campaigns that resonate with various audiences, ultimately benefiting the entire community and contributing to the ongoing growth and success of both the destination and the local businesses we support.  

• What are you proud of that Experience Kissimmee does for Osceola County?  
  As a destination, we take great pride in the fact that we are so much more than just theme parks. While our world-class attractions play a significant role, we firmly believe that a truly thriving destination is built upon the strength of its entire community — especially the local businesses and smaller attractions that make our area unique. Promoting and supporting these local gems is not just a priority but a core piece of who we are as an organization. We understand that each business, whether it's a locally owned hotel, a family-owned restaurant, or an off-the-beaten-path attraction, plays a vital role in enhancing the visitor experience and contributing to the overall vibrancy of our destination.  
   
  With more than 1,000 partners, each with their own distinct needs and goals, we are deeply committed to providing tailored support and creating growth opportunities. It is a source of great pride for us to help shine a spotlight on these local businesses, driving awareness, and helping them thrive. We actively foster a sense of community, creating meaningful connections between our larger partners and the smaller, locally owned establishments that help give our destination its character and charm.  

• What value do DMOs bring to a destination?  
  Our organization's purpose is to drive economic growth for our community. When done right, this growth leads to a thriving local economy. Over the past 10 years as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), we’ve seen the positive impact of tourism firsthand. In Central Florida, tourism workers earn $8,000 more per year than their national counterparts. Visitors to our area spend more than $1 billion annually at local businesses, fueling Osceola County's economy. Tourism accounts for half of our county’s total sales and tax revenue, helping to sustain our community. As a result, each household saves an average of $4,700 in taxes annually.  
   
  Thanks to the success of tourism, we have also contributed significantly to the community. In the past two years alone, we’ve provided more than $5.3 million in funding to local non-profits to support and advance cultural and historical experiences in our area. This not only enhances our community's offerings but also ensures that the economic benefits of tourism continue to be shared across all sectors.  

 

Jason Holic, Chief of Destination Stewardship  

• What do you love most about working for a destination?  
  We get to promote a place we care about, expand the local economy, and make a real and lasting difference for the community, all while having fun and helping visitors create lifelong memories. It's a job with purpose and meaning. 

• What are you proud of that Experience Kissimmee does for Osceola County?  
  Experience Kissimmee finds new and innovative ways to improve the quality of life of residents through tourism promotion. By promoting and supporting autism training, we open doors to millions of new visitors and make it easier for residents with autism to enjoy the place they call home. With unique collaborations between local businesses and non-profits, we invite visitors and residents alike to make our home a better place. We're constantly redefining what a DMO can do beyond the traditional visitor counts and room night generation metrics.  

• What value do DMOs bring to a destination?  
  On the economic side, DMOs help bring in new money for the local economy. On the social side, we expose residents and visitors to new cultures and backgrounds, while sharing and helping showcase and preserve local culture and history. And on the environmental side, we introduce visitors to a more natural side of Florida, helping to inspire its preservation for generations to come. Without the careful planning, collaboration, and work of a DMO, destinations would be more susceptible to overuse and degradation of natural, cultural, and other resources.  

 

Jessica Beers, Executive Director of The Kissimmee Sports Commission  

• What do you love most about working for a destination? 
  It’s not just any ordinary destination. For me, it's specific to Osceola County. We have such passionate leaders who love our county, so it is easy to follow those examples. We have the ability to bring so much joy to travelers and that makes my heart sing!    

• What are you proud of that Experience Kissimmee does for Osceola County?  
  I think it’s pretty amazing that tourist development tax is half of the county’s sales tax revenue. The positive impact it makes on Osceola County residents in terms of schools, arts and culture, and infrastructure is impressive. I’m also proud of the community grants program and the receiving organizations, they mean so much to our community, so knowing they can receive support and continue to thrive is extremely motivating. 

• What value do DMOs bring to a destination? 
  Like the previous question, but to add to it, we are a contributing player in the growth and development of our county and supporting community pride. Destination marketing organizations support brand awareness from across the globe to our small community, and it’s so fun!  

 

 

  

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About Experience Kissimmee: 
Celebrating a decade of success, Experience Kissimmee, the official tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida, is dedicated to creating economic opportunities by driving tourism to the region. Known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee offers a wide variety of accommodations, with convenient access to world-famous theme parks and just minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). With a vision to be a trailblazer in destination marketing, Experience Kissimmee promotes Central Florida’s diverse tourism experiences to the world. By welcoming millions of visitors each year, whether for leisure, business, or sports events, the organization is committed to support local economic growth and continues to position the region as a premier travel destination. For more information, visit www.experiencekissimmee.com. 

  

About Kissimmee: 
Located at the heart of Florida, Kissimmee is 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO), close to world-famous theme parks and attractions, offers a variety of shopping and dining locations, and provides access to natural spaces" and outdoor adventures carefully preserved natural spaces and outdoor adventures. Also known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee has approximately 50,000 options of accommodations, including sprawling hotels and resorts, and more than 30,000 vacation homes ranging from two-bedroom condos to 15-bedroom mansions.  

 

Media Contact: 
Experience Kissimmee Media Relations Team 
[email protected]