Meet Casandra
Casandra Matej is 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 1,600 member companies across Orlando’s tourism landscape.
Since joining Visit Orlando in February 2021, Matej’s efforts have focused on spurring Orlando’s tourism industry recovery, drawing 76.7 million visitors to Central Florida in 2025 and generating $94.5 billion in economic impact. Under her leadership, a first-of-its-kind new global brand launched called “Unbelievably Real” in collaboration with the Orlando Economic Partnership, telling one comprehensive brand story for Orlando. Her focus on collaboration has resulted in a series of powerful partnerships with Orlando Health, Michelin and TripAdvisor. She serves on various boards, including as vice chair of the U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Board of Directors, and joined the Heart of Florida United Way Board of Directors in 2026.
Matej is the first female CEO in the nonprofit organization’s 41-year history. She has been recognized by Orlando Magazine as one of its 50 Most Powerful People from 2021-2025, included in Florida Trend’s Florida 500: Most Influential Executives in 2025 and named to The Women’s Edge Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Florida in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Under her leadership, Visit Orlando has been named one of Orlando Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Central Florida for three consecutive years.
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 also held leadership roles at VisitDallas, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels.
