One of the Walt Disney Co.’s most recognizable faces in the meetings industry, George Aguel, is leaving the company to join Orlando’s destination marketing organization, Visit Orlando, as president and CEO.
Aguel has spent much of his career in sales at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, serving as senior vice president of Worldwide Sales and Services for 22 years. Last year he shifted roles when he was named senior vice president of Global Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants at The Walt Disney Co. In that job, he managed corporate alliance agreements across all business units of the company.
The president and CEO position at Visit Orlando has been open since May 2012 when Gary Sain passed away suddenly and unexpectly.
Aguel says he will use his experience to build on Orlando’s position in the market. “The Visit Orlando team leads the industry in collaborating with member partners and community partners to market our region around the globe,” said Aguel. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead this highly respected team toward ensuring that Orlando not only remains the vibrant travel brand it is today, but continues to be positioned for prosperity in the decades to come.”
Aguel’s industry honors include the Academy of Leaders Award from the American Society of Association Executives, induction into the Convention Industry Council Hall of Leaders, the Professional Achievement Award from the Professional Convention Management Association, and the APEX award from Black Meetings & Tourism. He has served as chairman of Meeting Professionals International and as a board member of numerous industry groups. He also served as chairman of Visit Orlando in 2009-2010.