Casandra Matej (MAH-tay) is the president and CEO of Visit Orlando, the official marketing organization for America’s most visited destination and Theme Park Capital of the World. She leads the branding, marketing, and selling of the destination on a global scale, representing over 1,300 member companies across Orlando’s tourism landscape.

Since joining Visit Orlando in February 2021, Matej’s efforts have focused on spurring recovery of Orlando’s tourism industry, which, pre-pandemic, drew 76 million visitors annually to Central Florida generating $75 billion in economic impact. Under her leadership, the organization
launched a first-of-its-kind new global brand, “Unbelievably Real” in collaboration with the Orlando Economic Partnership to tell one comprehensive brand story for Orlando to reach all audiences including leisure, meetings, site selectors and perspective talent. Her focus on
collaboration has resulted in a series of powerful partnerships with brands including Orlando Health, Michelin and TripAdvisor.

Matej is the first female CEO in the nonprofit organization’s 37-year history. She has been named one of the 50 Most Powerful People by Orlando Magazine, a Game Changer by the Orlando Business Journal, and recognized as one of the Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry by Meetings & Conventions Magazine.

Prior to joining Visit Orlando, Matej spent 10 years as president and CEO of Visit San Antonio achieving record highs in convention sales and marketing programs and developing one of the largest tourism ambassador programs in the country. She has also held leadership roles at VisitDallas, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels.