By STEVE TRAIMAN | Photos Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Steve Hayes,
President/CEO, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
As CEO/President of Pinellas County’s Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Steve Hayes’ role is to lead the organization responsible for marketing St. Pete/Clearwater to all potential visitors – locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. He was happy to return to the area both personally and professionally.
Hayes told Paradise NEWS, “Seeing the smile on my wife’s face when she learned that there could be an opportunity to come back to this area of Florida. In all seriousness, I was extremely interested in this role because of my deep-rooted history representing the region, combined with my desire to work in a dynamic industry with a standout team.”
Prior to coming to St. Pete/Clearwater in December 2019, Hayes served as the president of Visit Pensacola, the official destination organization for Pensacola/Escambia County, from 2013-2019.
Steve began his career in the tourism industry in 1985 with the Greater Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, joined Visit Tampa Bay in 1987 where he worked in sales and marketing roles prior to becoming executive vice president in 1999. Hayes’ experience in tourism, and his successes, are numerous. He created a five-agency consortium called Showcase Pensacola to work collaboratively to help Visit Pensacola position the community as a travel destination. He contributed to the development of successful bids to host the 2012 Republican National Convention and Super Bowl XXXV in 2009 in Tampa. In 1999, he was named one of the Top 100 Marketers for his innovative marketing approach to summer travel generation and his team was recognized with seven awards for the company’s first sustained advertising campaign.
Hayes is active in several national organizations including the United States Travel Association where he serves on the Board of Directors as well as the Board of Advisors of the Destinations Council as well as active in Destinations Florida, Visit Florida and Destinations International.
Steve is married to Mary Hayes, a director of global accounts with HelmsBriscoe, the global leader in meeting procurement. They have two children – a daughter, Madison (second grade teacher in Tallahassee) and Jon, (junior at Florida State University).
For Paradise NEWS, Hayes shared his exciting and inspirational vision for Pinellas County. Locals know that tourism is the lifeblood of our community, bringing both jobs and national/international recognition.
Visitors generate $10 billion+ in local economic impact, setting records in 2022-23. Thanks to their efforts, Hayes and his team’s promotions for our county have garnered national accolades for arts, culture, entertainment, best beaches, diversity and so much more. Here’s a glimpse of what this Mover & Shaker is doing at visitstpeteclearwater.com.
What do you think are Pinellas County’s biggest opportunities?
In the tourism space, I think our biggest opportunities are enhancing our storytelling that showcases the diversity of our communities. From St. Pete’s cultural scene and Gulfport’s funky art vibe to Dunedin’s “beer-muda” triangle, we offer so much
in one destination and it often surprises visitors when they learn more.
What do you think are Pinellas County’s biggest challenges?
Refreshing what we have while keeping our uniqueness that we’ve been known for over the last multiple decades.
What do you hope to accomplish or what is your focus on – key programs, events, etc.?
My goal is to build upon the already established brand that is Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. By doing so, we are fulfilling our goal of supporting the hospitality workers that serve the tourism industry, while increasing a visitor’s spend – ultimately impacting the small business community. In terms of key programs, communicating the value that tourism provides to our communities and residents. In addition, focusing our efforts on promoting the diversity within the destination and enhancing our storytelling on the unique offerings we are afforded.
How will these new or expanded projects make a difference in the community?
As our communities evolve and add destination attractors, it gives us a chance to reinforce our story, provides more reasons to visit or to come back, and increase visitor’s spend in our destination – impacting our local economy.
What do you love about living in Paradise?
My wife and I like the diversity of our neighborhood, variety of places to go eat and activities to do. Our list of places to eat, things to do just keeps growing! I love getting out to explore the outdoors – not only are we home to award-winning beaches, but I have a fondness for our parks. I always find time to take in local events, it gives me an opportunity to see communities from a different perspective. I enjoy soccer, biking, golf, travel and reading when I get the chance.