Experience Kissimmee President and CEO DT Minich receives statewide recognition after a career leading destination marketing organizations in Southwest Florida, St. Pete-Clearwater and Kissimmee.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN) — Experience Kissimmee President and CEO DT Minich has been inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, recognizing more than three decades of leadership in Florida’s tourism and destination marketing industry.

Minich was recognized during the 2026 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held Sept. 9-11 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.

Presented on behalf of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose leadership and contributions have helped shape the state’s tourism industry.

Three Florida Destinations, More Than Three Decades

According to Experience Kissimmee, Minich is the only tourism executive to have led three Florida destination marketing organizations.

His career includes leadership positions with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and Experience Kissimmee.

“This recognition represents every community, partner and tourism professional I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my career,” Minich said.

“We are here not only to welcome visitors, but also to strengthen our communities, create opportunities for residents, and protect what makes Florida such a special place.”

From Southwest Florida to St. Pete-Clearwater

Minich began his destination marketing career in the Fort Myers area, where Southwest Florida’s coastal communities and natural environment influenced his approach to tourism development.

His work included helping develop the nearly 200-mile Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail.

Minich also helped lead tourism communications following Hurricane Charley and supported Gulf Coast destinations during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to the organization.

He later spent seven years as executive director of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, where his work included expanding the destination’s international reach and developing its meetings and sports tourism business.

Transforming Experience Kissimmee

Minich became the first president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee in 2014 as the organization transitioned to a public-private model.

During his tenure, Experience Kissimmee positioned the destination around its large vacation-home market and promoted Kissimmee as the “Vacation Home Capital of the World.”

According to Experience Kissimmee, the area’s vacation-home inventory increased from approximately 10,000 to more than 30,000 homes during Minich’s leadership.

The organization says its annual budget also grew from approximately $11 million to more than $32 million, while its workforce expanded to more than 70 employees. Experience Kissimmee also established representation in more than 18 international markets.

Statewide Tourism Leadership

In 2025, Minich became the first Experience Kissimmee leader appointed to the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, giving him a role in statewide tourism strategy.

Sam Haught, co-owner of Wild Florida Adventure Park and a VISIT FLORIDA board member, said Minich’s influence extends beyond a single destination.

“He has helped tourism grow in a way that supports local businesses, creates opportunities for residents and strengthens the community we call home,” Haught said.

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin also recognized Minich’s statewide contributions.

“DT Minich has spent more than three decades in service to Florida tourism, and the relationships he has built are felt in every corner of the state,” Griffin said. “He has supported destinations from the Gulf Coast to Central Florida, enhanced the industry, and made extraordinary contributions to Florida tourism.”

Joining Florida Tourism Leaders

Established in 2001, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose work has contributed to the development of Florida’s visitor economy.

Previous inductees include Walt Disney, Henry Flagler, John Ringling, Harris Rosen, Carol Dover and William D. Talbert III, according to the release.

Minich now joins that group as the Hall of Fame’s 2026 inductee.

Wake Forest senior Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour debut Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club after the Demon Deacons captured their fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate team title.

BELLEAIR, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Wake Forest senior All-American Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour competition debut this November after receiving a sponsor invitation to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

Pate will compete against an LPGA Tour field Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, following Wake Forest’s victory at the 2026 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M.

The Demon Deacons won the collegiate tournament by 10 strokes, securing their first team victory of the 2026-27 season and fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate championship.

As part of the victory, Wake Forest received the opportunity to select one player for a sponsor invitation into The ANNIKA. Head coach Kim Lewellen selected Pate after a unanimous vote by the team and coaches.

Pate tied for fifth at the collegiate event, finishing at 2-under par.

Pate Set for First LPGA Tour Start

“We are excited for the opportunity for Macy to play her first LPGA Tour event at The ANNIKA in November,” Lewellen said. “It was unanimous that Macy would take this honor. She has been a wonderful representative for Wake Forest golf and athletics.”

Tournament host and World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame member Annika Sörenstam also welcomed Pate to the field.

“We are very excited to have Macy compete at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican,” Sörenstam said. “She is a leader at Wake Forest and one of the top-ranked college players in the country.”

Sörenstam added that seeing Pate make her LPGA Tour debut at The ANNIKA would make the opportunity particularly special.

Decorated Career at Wake Forest

Pate enters her fourth year at Wake Forest as a preseason All-American.

She earned her first collegiate victory during her junior season at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup and finished the season ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Scoreboard/Clippd Women’s Golf Rankings.

Pate is also a two-time Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant and three-time All-ACC selection.

Her success began well before college. Pate was named Carolinas Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and holds the North Carolina high school record for lowest round with a 57.

“I’m so incredibly excited for this opportunity,” Pate said. “Annika is one of my idols, and it has been my dream to compete on the LPGA Tour.”

The ANNIKA Returns to Tampa Bay

The ANNIKA is scheduled for Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club and will serve as the penultimate tournament on the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule.

The tournament will feature a $3.25 million purse, one of the largest on the LPGA Tour outside the major championships. Tournament proceeds benefit the ANNIKA Foundation.

Pate continues a recent tradition of collegiate players earning sponsor invitations through the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist received invitations in 2023 and 2024, followed by Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen in 2025.

Championship Pedigree at Pelican

The tournament has attracted some of women’s golf’s biggest names.

Linn Grant captured the 2025 title at 19-under par, winning by three strokes. Nelly Korda is a three-time tournament champion, winning in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Lilia Vu won in 2023, while Sei Young Kim captured the inaugural tournament in 2020.

Pate will now have an opportunity to test her game on the same stage as the world’s leading professional golfers — and do so for the first time at a tournament hosted by one of her idols.

For tournament and ticket information, visit The ANNIKA official website.