The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) officially announces the appointment of new board members, alongside the continued service of returning members, including Mohan Koka, recently confirmed as the Chairman of the MBVCA, reinforcing its commitment to advancing and supporting Miami Beach as a premier global destination. With a strong leadership team in place, the MBVCA is well-positioned to continue its mission of elevating Miami Beach’s global profile while delivering meaningful impact and award-winning results to the tourism sector.

“The MBVCA plays a critical role in representing the voice of the industry, advocating for tourism growth and strategic dedication to driving hotel stays on Miami Beach,” says Mohan Koka, Chairman, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. “Our new board members are seasoned, passionate and dedicated to continuing our efforts to showcase Miami Beach as a best-in-class destination through thoughtful and strategic initiatives.”

The MBVCA, appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, works to promote Miami Beach locally, nationally, and internationally, while supporting programs that elevate the destination’s cultural, economic, and hospitality landscape. The new members join returning board member Faye Goldin, an active ambassador for the Miami Beach community and Chairman Mohan Koka, a tourism advocate with a distinguished background in hospitality as General Manager of The Kimpton Surfcomber for more than eight years, and now serving as a visionary leader in one of the industry’s most important and recognized destination organizations.  

The MBVCA welcomes newly-appointed board members including:

• Ana Cecilia “Ceci” Velasco (Vice Chair) – Ceci has been appointed as the Vice Chair to the MBVCA. She is an energetic and highly-dynamic executive whose leadership spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Ocean Drive Association and has played a transformative role in strengthening the organization through major restructuring efforts, the development of compliant bylaws, and expanded stakeholder representation.
• Lisette Garcia – Lisette is a passionate advocate for inclusive economic empowerment and serves as the Executive Director at the Miami-Dade LGBTQ+& Allied Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC).  Her experience spans marketing, business development, government relations, event production and community engagement, bringing a powerful blend of strategic vision and grassroots connection to the MBVCA. She is committed to supporting representation, inclusion and opportunity with experience in the public and private sectors, working to champion innovation and growth. She is proud to leverage her expertise and passion for entrepreneurship to help grow and support Miami Beach’s vibrant LGBTQ+ and allied business community. 
• Jorge Gonzalez – Jorge currently as serves as the Village Manager of Bal Harbour Village and is responsible for providing executive level leadership, vision and guidance to the organization, providing recommendations and implementing policy directives in an efficient and effective manner. He has previously held the position of the longest-serving City Manager of the City of Miami Beach in the city’s modern era.  His tenure and expertise in driving city initiatives will be invaluable to the MBVCA as they continue to support events, tactics and campaigns dedicated to driving tourism.
• Christopher Rollins – Chris has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry and has held senior leadership roles with renowned global brands, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios across luxury hotels, resorts, and multi-property operations. He is a proud, invited member of the Miami Dade International Trade Consortia, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, Florida Restaurants & Lodging Association Board, and Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association board. Chris has previously served as a MBVCA board member and will continue to his recognized contributions to the local hospitality and tourism ecosystem. 

“We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished leaders to the MBVCA Board,” adds Grisette Roque Marcos, Executive Director, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. “Their diverse perspectives and deep-rooted connections to the community will be instrumental as we continue to champion Miami Beach as a world-class destination. And, we are grateful for the continued dedication of our returning board members, whose leadership has helped shape our overall vision and success.”

Collectively, the new board members bring a wealth of experience across hospitality, government, business development, and community engagement, further strengthening the MBVCA’s ability to support strategic tourism initiatives and enhance the visitor experience to drive hotel demand, occupancy and ADR on the seven miles that comprise Miami Beach. 

In the past year alone, Miami Beach and the MBVCA have earned national and international recognition, reinforcing the destination’s position as a leader in tourism, marketing innovation, and cultural appeal. The MBVCA received multiple top honors at the prestigious Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, widely regarded as one of the travel industry’s highest distinctions. The MBVCA earned five awards in total — including four Gold and one Silver — recognizing excellence in destination marketing, social media strategy, and integrated campaigns. These wins highlight Miami Beach’s ability to connect with global audiences through creative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and multi-channel campaigns.  Among the standout recognitions were Gold Awards for destination marketing campaigns and social media initiatives, showcasing the success of programs such as The Art of Miami Beach and Stylish Stays, which expanded the destination’s reach into fashion, art, and cultural travel audiences. 

Additional recognition in 2025 included a Gold Magellan Award for multichannel customer engagement and marketing innovation, further demonstrating MBVCA’s leadership in leveraging digital platforms and integrated communications to enhance the visitor experience.

For more information, please visit Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.