Casandra Matej
President & CEO
Visit Orlando
Company
Visit Orlando
https://www.visitorlando.com
Visit Orlando
Cornerstone
Awards:
2021 Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry by Mtg Mag
2021 BizBash 500 Most Influential Event Professionals
2021 Top 20 Game Changer by the Orlando Business Jnl
2022 Woman of the Year by the Women’s Executive Cncl
2022 Smart Woman in Meetings Award, Visionary
2022, 2023 & 2024 50 Most Powerful People by Orlando Mag
2022, 2024 & 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses by Women's Edge
2023 Leading Ladies by Orlando Family Magazine
2023 Orlando Business Journal’s Businesswoman of Year
2023 Women of the Year Vibrant Visionaries Orange Appea
Home Region
East Central
Class
Cornerstone Class 43
Special Designation
Lifetime Member
Areas of Expertise
Board Governance, Business Development, Hospitality, Hotel / Motel, Leadership, Marketing, Non-Profit Organizations, Public Speaking, Strategic Planning, Tourism, Travel
Biography
Casandra Matej is the president and CEO of Visit Orlando, leading global branding and marketing efforts for the region. She has guided Orlando’s tourism recovery since February 2021, achieving 75 million visitors in 2024 and a $92.5 billion economic impact. Matej spearheaded the launch of the “Unbelievably Real” global brand and fostered partnerships with organizations like Orlando Health, Michelin, and TripAdvisor. She also serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and as Vice Chair of the U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Board of Directors.
Matej holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas, Austin, and has over 30 years of tourism industry experience, including a decade as CEO of Visit San Antonio, where she achieved record-breaking convention sales. She also held key roles at Visit Dallas, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt Hotels.
Outside work, she enjoys family time with her husband Chris, two children, two stepdaughters, and a step-grandchild. She loves traveling, golf, spa relaxation, and sports events.
Matej holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas, Austin, and has over 30 years of tourism industry experience, including a decade as CEO of Visit San Antonio, where she achieved record-breaking convention sales. She also held key roles at Visit Dallas, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt Hotels.
Outside work, she enjoys family time with her husband Chris, two children, two stepdaughters, and a step-grandchild. She loves traveling, golf, spa relaxation, and sports events.