Since 2001, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame has acknowledged contemporary and historic figures whose vision, creativity, and drive have positively and significantly impacted Florida's development as a desirable visitor destination. The award is presented on behalf of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, and the inductee is recognized during the Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism. For more information, please email HallofFame@visitflorida.org.
Inducted in 2026:
The 2025 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductee is DT Minich.
A visionary leader with a career defined by transformation and growth, DT Minich holds the unique distinction of being the only executive to lead three different Florida Destination Marketing Organizations. Known for stepping into pivotal moments of transition, Minich arrived as President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee in 2014 following its transition into a modern public-private model. Over the past decade, he grew the organization, established in-country representation across 18 international markets, and oversaw a data-driven strategy that grew Kissimmee’s unaided brand awareness from 2% to 30%. Under his leadership, annual visitation jumped roughly 70% to 10.4 million visitors.
Central to Minich’s legacy is his ability to turn destination assets into global powerhouses. In 2018, he personally directed the strategy that positioned Kissimmee as the “Vacation Home Capital of the World®,” elevating vacation rentals into a signature Florida product as inventory expanded from 10,000 to over 30,000 homes. He also established the Kissimmee Sports Commission—now driving over $400 million in economic impact—and nearly doubled meeting lead volume, earning Kissimmee a top spot among Cvent’s ‘Top 50 Meeting Destinations in North America’.
Beyond driving record-setting visitation, Minich has been a pioneer in integrating tourism stewardship, accessibility, and community impact into destination marketing. He expanded the Tourism Enhancement Grants Program to directly benefit local communities, spearheaded accessibility initiatives with partners like Wheel the World and Autism Travel Club, and launched conservation efforts like Trees4Travel, which has planted over 115,000 trees. Minich’s holistic approach to tourism has bettered the entire industry in the State of Florida.