Panama City Beach Names Griff Griffitts as President & Chief Executive Officer

Veteran hospitality leader and public servant to guide destination's strategic vision and community impact

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:06am

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the sweeping skyline of a coastal city, with towering skyscrapers and gradients of blues and greens evoking the ocean and sky, capturing the grand scale and romance of travel without any literal depictions.The appointment of a veteran hospitality leader signals Panama City Beach's commitment to responsible tourism development that balances economic growth with community priorities.Panama City Today

The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has announced the appointment of Griff Griffitts as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Panama City Beach. Griffitts brings over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry, as well as public service experience as a Bay County Commissioner and Florida State Representative, to lead the organization's strategic vision focused on driving year-round visitation, strengthening economic impact, and enhancing quality of life for residents through thoughtful tourism development.

Why it matters

Griffitts' appointment comes at a critical time for Panama City Beach as the destination aims to balance tourism growth with community priorities. His deep understanding of the hospitality industry and experience navigating government and industry collaboration will be crucial in guiding the CVB's efforts to responsibly develop the local tourism economy and support the community.

The details

With over 45 years of experience in the hotel industry, Griffitts has gained extensive knowledge of what drives a successful tourism economy. He previously served on the Bay County Tourist Development Council, providing direct insight into how tourism is developed, funded, and managed to support responsible growth. In his new role, Griffitts will work alongside the Bay County Tourist Development Council and local partners to lead the organization's strategic vision.

  • Griff Griffitts was appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Panama City Beach on April 10, 2026.

The players

Griff Griffitts

A veteran hospitality leader with over four decades of experience in the industry, as well as public service experience as a Bay County Commissioner and Florida State Representative. He will now lead the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)

The official destination marketing organization for Panama City Beach, Florida, working on behalf of residents to ensure tourism delivers long-term benefits for the local community.

Bay County Tourist Development Council

The local organization that collaborates with the Panama City Beach CVB to develop and manage the destination's tourism efforts.

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What they’re saying

“Panama City Beach is my home; as a third-generation Bay County resident, I have a deep love for the community and am honored to join a talented team of people who truly love this destination and want to see it succeed. I look forward to advancing the important work this organization has been doing for decades.”

— Griff Griffitts, President and Chief Executive Officer, Visit Panama City Beach

What’s next

Griffitts will work closely with the Bay County Tourist Development Council and local partners to implement his strategic vision for driving year-round visitation, strengthening economic impact, and enhancing quality of life for Panama City Beach residents through responsible tourism development.

The takeaway

Griff Griffitts' appointment as the new President and CEO of the Panama City Beach CVB brings a wealth of hospitality experience and public service expertise to the role. His leadership will be crucial in guiding the destination's efforts to balance tourism growth with community priorities, ensuring the local tourism economy delivers long-term benefits for residents.