About Discover The Palm Beaches

History
The Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council (TDC) was established by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in 1981. In 1982, Palm Beach County enacted its first tourist tax and created a Tourist Development Plan for spending the revenues generated by the tax. The tourist tax, commonly known as the "bed tax," is levied on lodging room nights in the County for a term of six months or less.
Discover Palm Beach County, the original name of what is now known as Discover The Palm Beaches, was formed in 1983 as a nonprofit entity. One of the original marketing and advertising statements created in this time was Palm Beach County, Florida The Best of Everything. DTPB continues to operate today under a contract with Palm Beach County to provide tourism marketing services under the County's Tourist Development Plan and receives funding from a portion of the "bed tax" collected in the County. DTPB's Board of Directors provides supervision over DTPB affairs.
Discover The Palm Beaches is only one of the non-profit tourism organizations acting under contract to the County. The Tourist Development Council whose responsibility is contract oversight of the agencies funded by the "bed tax," also acts as a liaison between the agencies and the Board of County Commissioners. The other agencies under the umbrella of the TDC are the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission, and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Mission
Grow The Tourism Economy
Strategic Goals
Strengthened Brand Awareness & Marketing
Expanded Meetings & Events
Champion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Ensured Organizational Sustainability
Improved Alignment & Community Engagement
Brand Promise
The Palm Beaches are America’s First Resort Destination.
The community where genuine hospitality is a way of life and the diversity of travel experiences is matched by the warmth of its coastal communities.
It is Florida’s finest travel experience.
DTPB Board of Directors, 2021-2022
The Board of Directors is that group of persons vested with the management of the business and affairs of this Corporation, subject to the law, the Articles of Incorporation, and these Bylaws.
Officers/Executive Committee
Chairman
Mr. Jason Emmett, Owner, Paradigm Hospitality Group
Vice Chair
Mr. Peter Yesawich, Vice Chairman Emeritus, MMGY Global
Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Mohamed Elbanna, Global Head of Workplace Operations,
Citadel
Executive Committee Members
Mr. Troy McLellan, President/CEO
Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
Mr. James Hansen, Vice President Sales & Marketing,
Hotel Equities
Immediate Past Chair
Ms. Rita Barreto, President, Top Tier Leadership
DTPB Board of Directors
At-Large Members
Mr. Bruce Shulman, Stragtegic Advisor
Northstar Travel Group
Ms. Ethel Issacs Williams, Legal/Business Consultant
Mr. Kenneth R. Kennerly, Executive Director / President & CEO,
The Honda Classic/K2 Sports Ventures, LLC
Mr. Tim Nardi, General Manager/Managing Director
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Mr. David Keamy, Executive Director Sales, Ocean Properties
Community Members:
Mr. Rick Rose, Proprieter
Palm Beach Vacation Rentals
Ms. Mary Lou Bedford, President and CEO,
Central Palm Beach County Chamber
Mr. Jim Williams, Principal,
AW Architects Incorporated
Mr. James Hansen, Vice President Sales & Marketing,
Hotel Equities
Ex Officio
Ms. Erica Kasel, President Kasel Consulting
Mr. Jack Lighton, Founder, Jack Lighton Consulting, LLC
Mr. Bernardo Neto, General Manager
The Ben - An Autograph Collection Hotel
Dr. Peter Ricci, Director, Hospitality & Tourism Management,
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
TDC Liaison
Jim Mostad, Senior Vice President, Sales
The Breakers

Our various districts collectively bring together urban and suburban regions, along with natural waterways, lakes, Everglades, and Atlantic Ocean that grace The Palm Beaches. These are all part of our identity and brand, as represented in our Palmscape logo.
To learn more about our marketing initiatives view our 2023 Destination Marketing Plan.