The appointment comes as the destination looks to expand group business and visitation. Photo Credit: George for Adobe Stock
Looking to strengthen its group-travel momentum, Visit Pensacola has appointed Tony Lyle as president and CEO, effective Oct. 26. Lyle joins the Florida convention and visitors bureau from Visit Galveston in Texas, where he has served as executive director for the past three years, bringing more than 25 years of destination-marketing experience with him to this new role.
Focus on group business and destination growth
Throughout his career, Lyle has overseen multimillion-dollar tourism budgets and strategic growth initiatives, and his experience spans leisure and group travel, sports tourism, international travel trade, brand development and digital transformation, as well as research-driven destination strategies. He also brings extensive knowledge of both public tourism funding and fiscal oversight.
According to Sterling Gilliam, director of the National Naval Aviation Museum and chair of the Visit Pensacola board, Lyle's leadership experience positions him well to build on the organization's recent success, and to capitalize on growing opportunities across Northwest Florida.
Lyle said he plans to take a synergistic approach in his new role, working closely with tourism partners, community leaders and residents while creating new opportunities for visitation and economic impact in Escambia County — particularly as he’s known for driving group and off-peak visitation.
“I’m honored to join Visit Pensacola and become part of a community with such a strong sense of place and a compelling story to tell,” Lyle said in a statement sharing the news.
Why it matters for meetings
As the official CVB for Escambia County, Visit Pensacola promotes Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. With nearly 40 miles of Gulf Coast beaches, a growing hospitality sector and strong appeal for groups, the destination continues to position itself as a “niche market perfectly proportioned for small meetings" in Northwest Florida.
Lyle is scheduled to make his first public appearance in his new role at Visit Pensacola's annual meeting on Oct. 28, themed “Celebrating Our Impact. Building Our Future.”