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Emerald Coast CVB Newsroom

DARREL C. JONES OF FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST CVB ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

April 28, 2010

DESTIN, FL – April 28, 2010 – Florida’s Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau announces President and Chief Executive Officer, Darrel C. Jones will be retiring May 14, 2010. Jones also serves as the executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council.

Jones founded the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council in 1990. During his tenure, he increased Tourist Development Tax revenues by 630 percent and helped the Emerald Coast grow to become the second-largest driving destination in the state behind only Orlando. Throughout his years with the CVB, Jones served as project manager for the construction of the Official Visitor Welcome Center and developed the Emerald Coast Conference Center – a 77,000 square foot multi-meeting facility with nearly 70 percent occupancy over the past eight years. He implemented the Turtle Watch Program and funded the Environmental Council to help preserve the sugar-white sands and brilliant emerald-green waters that have grown the Emerald Coast to a distinguished vacation destination. As a result, the Emerald Coast has been voted the “Best Beach Town in the South” and one of the top five “Favorite Family Vacation Destinations” by readers of Southern Living for 14 consecutive years in a row.

Prior to joining the Emerald Coast CVB, Jones spent 20 years with the American Automobile Association (AAA) as the Vice President of Travel Operation for three state organizations – Nebraska, Virginia and Minnesota.

Jones was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist and confirmed by the Florida Senate in 2008 as the Secretary to the Florida Commission on Tourism/VISIT FLORIDA. He previously served as Treasurer of the Florida Commission on Tourism and Chairman of the Northwest Florida Tourism Marketing Council. He has also held several Vice-Chairmanships for Visitor Services, Partner Development, and the Finance and Executive Committee.

Jones leaves the tourism industry to enjoy retirement with his wife in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

For more information on Florida’s Emerald Coast, visit www.destin-fwb.com or call 800.322.3319.

###

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Year 2010
For More Media Information
Michelle Kelly / Kerry Anne Watson
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
media@destin-fwb.com


Press Kit General Overview Accommodations Meetings Activities Attractions Acclaims Dining Environmental Fast Facts Golf Weddings Special Events Trivia Spring Break Resources Image Library Archives News @lerts Search Contact Consumer site	Emerald Coast CVB Newsroom DARREL C. JONES OF FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST CVB ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT April 28, 2010 DESTIN, FL – April 28, 2010 – Florida’s Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau announces President and Chief Executive Officer, Darrel C. Jones will be retiring May 14, 2010. Jones also serves as the executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council. Jones founded the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council in 1990. During his tenure, he increased Tourist Development Tax revenues by 630 percent and helped the Emerald Coast grow to become the second-largest driving destination in the state behind only Orlando. Throughout his years with the CVB, Jones served as project manager for the construction of the Official Visitor Welcome Center and developed the Emerald Coast Conference Center – a 77,000 square foot multi-meeting facility with nearly 70 percent occupancy over the past eight years. He implemented the Turtle Watch Program and funded the Environmental Council to help preserve the sugar-white sands and brilliant emerald-green waters that have grown the Emerald Coast to a distinguished vacation destination. As a result, the Emerald Coast has been voted the “Best Beach Town in the South” and one of the top five “Favorite Family Vacation Destinations” by readers of Southern Living for 14 consecutive years in a row. Prior to joining the Emerald Coast CVB, Jones spent 20 years with the American Automobile Association (AAA) as the Vice President of Travel Operation for three state organizations – Nebraska, Virginia and Minnesota. Jones was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist and confirmed by the Florida Senate in 2008 as the Secretary to the Florida Commission on Tourism/VISIT FLORIDA. He previously served as Treasurer of the Florida Commission on Tourism and Chairman of the Northwest Florida Tourism Marketing Council. He has also held several Vice-Chairmanships for Visitor Services, Partner Development, and the Finance and Executive Committee. Jones leaves the tourism industry to enjoy retirement with his wife in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. For more information on Florida’s Emerald Coast, visit www.destin-fwb.com or call 800.322.3319. ### « Back to Releases
	Year 2010 For More Media Information Michelle Kelly / Kerry Anne Watson The Zimmerman Agency (850) 668-2222 media@destin-fwb.com