Visit Anaheim has announced that Mike Waterman has been appointed the president and chief executive officer of the organization, effective April 29.
Waterman, a hospitality veteran with over 30 years of leadership and sales experience, previously served as chief sales officer at Visit Orlando. Prior to Visit Orlando, Waterman was the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, also known as Visit Houston.
“I am honored and excited to accept this amazing opportunity,” said Waterman. “My wife and I raised our family in Southern California and are very much looking forward to this next chapter. I am eager to work with the talented Visit Anaheim team and its local stakeholders to fulfill our mission and create new economic opportunities for the community.”
Waterman started his career at Marriott International, where he last served as vice president of sales for the western region overseeing 100 properties, including a grouping of Marriott hotels in Los Angeles’ convention district known as L.A. Live. Waterman will be responsible for developing, directing, and overseeing Visit Anaheim and will lead efforts to draw conventions and visitors to the Anaheim area to bring economic growth to the community.
“Mike brings extensive experience and a long history of leadership, innovation and success in the hospitality and tourism industry, making him the ideal candidate to guide our organization into the future,” said Fred Brown, chairman of the Visit Anaheim Board of Directors. “We are very excited to welcome Mike and look forward to working alongside him to benefit the residents and businesses of Anaheim and the surrounding region.”