About Discover The Palm Beaches

Tourism is among Palm Beach County's major industries. It generates an annual economic impact of approximately $10 billion in the local economy, produces $78 million in bed-tax revenue, lodging sales of approximately $1.3 billion, and supports more than 85,000 jobs. Discover Palm Beach County Inc. dba Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB) serves as Palm Beach County's travel planning resource for domestic and international visitors. As the official destination marketing organization charged with promoting Palm Beach County as a leisure travel and meetings destination, Discover The Palm Beaches plans and executes initiatives in a broad range of areas including sales, marketing, research, visitor services, and industry relations. The goal is to deliver the right message through the right medium to the right audience at the right time in order to increase visitation and economic impact in Palm Beach County. Discover The Palm Beaches is a private non-profit corporation that is funded primarily by the collection of a "bed tax" paid by lodging guests for short-term stays in Palm Beach County.

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, Regional Vice President and General Manager, 
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Executive Committee Members
Mr. Troy McLellan, President/CEO 
Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce

Mr. James Hansen, Vice President Sales & Marketing,
Kolter Hospitality

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:
Ms. Yvonne Boice, Travel Consultant
Fugazy International Travel
 
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, VP, Sales & Marketing
Kolter Hospitality

Ex Officio
Ms. Erica Kasel, Chief Marketing Officer
The Boca Raton

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.