Jorge L. Pérez Appointed CEO of Discover Puerto Rico

Pérez to begin his role in mid-September and will maintain strategic oversight of the Puerto Rico Convention District facilities during a transition period.

After evaluating the profiles of more than 100 executives and interviewing more than 20 candidates from Puerto Rico and abroad, the Board of Directors of Discover Puerto Rico (DMO) have announced the selection of Jorge L. Pérez as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Jorge L. Pérez, CVE, MBA, is a distinguished executive with over 20 years of experience in economic development and management, as well as in the destination, events, and entertainment management industry. Recognized for his transformative leadership, he has been a key figure in the evolution of Puerto Rico's tourism and economic ecosystem, positioning the island as a world-class destination for conventions, entertainment, and high-impact events.

Pérez joined Legends/ASM Global, the company that operates the world's leading venues, 15 years ago. He currently serves as Regional General Manager of Legends/ASM Global, the company responsible for managing the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the Puerto Rico Coliseum, the Coca-Cola Music Hall, and the Antiguo Casino. He holds the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE) certification awarded by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).

Pérez was also recognized in 2022 with the "All Star" distinction by VenuesNow magazine for his outstanding leadership in the operations of the Convention District's facilities during its period of greatest expansion and growth. Under his vision and leadership, the Puerto Rico Coliseum, the Coca-Cola Music Hall, and the Convention Center have received multiple recognitions of excellence and have positioned themselves among the top venues worldwide in ticket sales and world-class events, according to Billboard and Pollstar, specialized magazines in the entertainment industry.

"Jorge's professional experience is extensive and impeccable. I am confident that as leader of the organization, he will stimulate travel demand to our destination and continue the tourism boom we have seen this decade," said Raúl Bustamante, chairman of the Board of Directors of Discover Puerto Rico, the island's destination marketing organization (DMO).

Discover Puerto Rico will facilitate the transition for a period of three months, during which Pérez will be responsible for providing external strategic oversight in addition to his role. In the industry, this is defined as the collaboration between the DMO and the management of group and convention properties, ensuring alignment with the destination's promotional strategies. This synergy will ensure that the group and convention facilities sold by Discover Puerto Rico are maintained in a condition that generates maximum economic impact.

In the U.S., the DMOs of Ontario and Anaheim, California, Orlando, Florida, St. Louis, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas, actively collaborate and participate in the planning, management, and supervised operation of convention facilities.

"I embrace this challenge with great enthusiasm, recognizing the DMO's critical role in developing the visitor economy and addressing the industry's current challenges," said Pérez. "Over the past four years, I have seen a renaissance in tourism, and Puerto Rico is in a prime position to consolidate itself as a world-class destination. I am confident that with collaboration with the DMO's group of professionals, the government, and the private sector, we will achieve all the goals we set for ourselves."

Bustamante indicated that the new CEO possesses all the qualities they were seeking for the position, including experience in the tourism industry, a deep understanding of Puerto Rico, and leadership in aligning the public and private sectors.

"Jorge L. Pérez is a proven leader in the entertainment industry, having positioned the local event venues he manages to a high standard," said Governor Jenniffer González Colón. "I am pleased to know that we will count on his expertise to extend the success he has achieved in the events industry to the initiatives being undertaken to transform Puerto Rico into a premier destination for tourism, business, and investment. I am confident that he will continue to maintain direct channels of communication with our administration, as he has done, as well as with the private sector."

The new CEO will begin his tenure as the leader of Puerto Rico's marketing as a destination for leisure, business, and convention travel on September 15.

Learn more by visiting Discover Puerto Rico.

Courtesy of Groups Today.