MIKE WATERMAN
CEO
VISIT ANAHEIM
WHY: Newest leader of OC’s largest tourism marketing organization that books events and promotes Anaheim’s collection of restaurants, hotels and other businesses. City saw record 25.8M visitors in 2023.
IN THE NEWS: Appointed CEO of Visit Anaheim in April succeeding former leader Jay Burress. This year, the organization became the Anaheim Ducks’ newest sponsor and the first to have its logo on hockey team’s away jersey.
NOTABLE: Previously worked at Visit Orlando as chief sales officer for almost five years and was CEO of Visit Houston before that. Also worked at Marriott International for around 20 years.
QUOTABLE: Pointing to $10B worth of development projects underway in Anaheim, Waterman has dubbed the next several years as the city’s “golden decade.”
