Florida Tourism Industry Marketing

“The board of directors is composed of 32 tourism-related seats appointed by florida department of commerce.”

“Visit florida was created by florida statute 288.1226, as a direct-support organization of florida department of commerce and implements the policies, goals, and long range marketing plan.”

“After review by visit florida's accounting management, as prepared by an independent cpa, a copy of the 990 and accompanying schedules are given to the audit committee for review. After the audit committee's review, the form 990 and accompanying schedules are filed by the independent cpa with the internal revenue service center and the committee reports their review to visit florida's board of directors.”

“Visit florida, as a part of its corporate code of ethics and standards of conduct policy, has a conflict of interest statement. Each year, the board members reaffirm via electronic signature their obligations under the adopted policy. In addition, the board members annually disclose any transactions on behalf of themselves, their principal, their principal's corporate parent(s), or their principal's subsidiaries related to visit florida's private match requirement. Additionally, visit florida's policies and procedures related to selecting a goods or service provider outlines that all transactions should be conducted at arm's length and management should refrain from contracting or acquiring goods or services from family members that will report or see direction directly from them or a department manager that reports to them.”

“The board of directors approved the president and ceo's salary, noting they would serve without a contract. Each year, the nominating committee will perform a review of the president and ceo's performance and report to the board of directors any recommendations. Compensation for all other employees, including other officers and key employees, is set by the president and ceo utilizing comparability data and salary range guidance provided by an independent third party which is updated every three years. All members of the board of directors serve without compensation.”

“Visit florida makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, financial statements and other financial and auditing reports available to the public during the tax year upon request. Additionally, many of the documents are made public through publicly noticed and conducted meetings of the board of directors at which these items are discussed. Many of these documents are also posted on the organization's website, visitflorida.org, which contains instructions on how to request and receive any other item of interest made public by operation of florida's open records laws.”